Avarahm Fried Responds to Fan’s Heartfelt Letter

A fan of Avraham Fried’s music, who describes himself as no-longer religious, wrote a heartfelt letter to the Chasidic singing star describing how his music still brings meaning to his life, and that he cannot bring himself to play his CDs on Shabbos. Avraham Fried responded by revealing who was behind the now-ubiquitous message on all his albums “please do not play on Shabbos and Yom Tov.”

From Yeshiva World News:

Dear Avraham Fried,

I grew up listening and singing your music in our shabbos table and in all of our happy occasions. And as a kid in Jerusalem, I also remember going to Gan Soccer with the family to one of your concerts.

I am today not religious. But to this day I listen and I am inspired by your powerful, spiritual, and soul touching music.

I am so spiritually connected to your music that I am tempted to play it on shabbos. I get disappointed that the only available music I have on shabbos is the meaningless non-jewish stuff. But I wanted to let you know that I have kept your request dear to me and I will not, even at gun point, play your music on shabbos.

Today, during my darkest and happiest moments, I will tune in to your music for inspiration and hope.

Your music is a kidnle to my long lost Jewish soul and it is keeping me alive, both physically and spiritually.

My life would simply be meaningless without it.

So before you go to bed at night or the next time you’re having a rough day, keep in mind that your music is quite literally touching my soul and giving me tremendous hope.

***********

To an anonymous Jew:

Thank you for writing one of the most powerful letters That I have ever received in my 36 years of singing.

If I would respond to all the details of the letter it would take a very long time.

So I just want to say this:

I would love to meet you one day and hear your story face to face.

It was the Rebbe who told me 36 years ago when I was releasing the album No Jew Will Be Left Behind, to print the words: please do not play on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

Perhaps he saw you and the struggle you will have with Yiddishkeit and asked me to print those words so this can be your own unique way of remembering that it’s Shabbos by not playing my music.

A Rebbe can see things way ahead of its time!

For someone who calls himself not religious, your soul however seems to be on fire!

You’re so in touch with your spirituality.

How lucky I am that thru my music I have a part in keeping that spark alive.

Stay tuned as a new cd is coming soon IYH.

I say to you, Chazak Chazak!

Please keep in touch.

Avraham.

7 Comments

  • As a kid

    As a kid i always ask “why would he wright please do not play on Shabbos and Yom Tov?” If someone is not religious why would they listen or care? now 20 years later i have the answer!

  • Yossi A

    knowing Avremel I have to wonder about 2 things that is NOT his style.

    1) As the warm person that he is, I’m wondering Why he didn’t sign AVREMEL…..
    2) It would be his nature to be on the next plane to do mivtziom…..

  • R.W.

    The request not to play recordings on shabbos & yom tov began appearing on albums long before Fried first came on the scene.

  • Babushka, to #2

    What is your point? Are you saying This is not a real letter? how do you KNOW Avraham did you grow up with him maybe he wrote Avraham on a more pro-fessional not
    No he would not just jump on a plane bc it was ANON JEW?!?!? so stop making up things…