Rebbe Nachman greatly loved the simple devotions of ordinary people, the uncomplicated, religious folk. He particularly loved anyone who could recite the many supplications and entreaties found in the thick prayer books, as is the way of the religious masses.

The Rebbe would also repeatedly urge and exhort us to sing the Shabbat songs. And he would be stern and annoyed with anyone who considered himself wise and so would not make the effort to sing the Shabbat and motza’ei Shabbat songs, or perform other simple devotions. For the essence of Jewishness is conducting oneself with complete straightforwardness and simplicity, without any sophistication, as has been explained in our teachings many times.

In fact, before contracting the severe illness from which he passed away, the Rebbe himself, of blessed memory, always sang a great many songs each Shabbat and motza’ei Shabbat.