Matisyahu is now an international phenomenon; he is a reggae singer with a difference. Instead of dreadlocks he sports a trilby. His beard is predicated on the Kabbalists’ theosophy instead of Rastafarian tradition and his clothing places him in an Ultra Orthodox Jewish enclave rather than a black ghetto. This week he released his latest CD entitled YOUTH and it seems that Matisyahu’s tremendous success so far is about to reach unprecedented heights. Predictably, this man’s singing antics are deeply controversial.Many have asked the following questions. Is it correct for a Chassidic Jew to be singing in clubs and bars? Is Matisyahu using his talent to bring G-dliness to the profoundly unG-dly and thus sanctifying G-d’s name or is he achieving the opposite?
Matisyahu: Rabbi or Rebel?
Matisyahu is now an international phenomenon; he is a reggae singer with a difference. Instead of dreadlocks he sports a trilby. His beard is predicated on the Kabbalists’ theosophy instead of Rastafarian tradition and his clothing places him in an Ultra Orthodox Jewish enclave rather than a black ghetto. This week he released his latest CD entitled YOUTH and it seems that Matisyahu’s tremendous success so far is about to reach unprecedented heights. Predictably, this man’s singing antics are deeply controversial.
Many have asked the following questions. Is it correct for a Chassidic Jew to be singing in clubs and bars? Is Matisyahu using his talent to bring G-dliness to the profoundly unG-dly and thus sanctifying G-d’s name or is he achieving the opposite?
Whereas this article is not meant to give a definitive answer to these questions it does, however, endeavor to explain what motivates a Chassidic Jew like Matisyahu to perform in a bar and club.
There is a fundamental difference between the Kabbalistic and the non-Kabbalistic views of Judaism. Up until the French Revolution in 1789, society was divided into three groups: the church, the aristocracy and the peasants. In the terminology of the post-modern French philosopher Jacques Derrida (1930-2004), the landowners and the church were the centre and the peasants were the periphery. The two did not mix. Education, money and power were restricted to the elite; the peasants enjoyed no such privileges. After the French Revolution, the periphery was also given some of the privileges that were previously the exclusive right of the centre. With this came the emancipation of the Jews. Although the landowners and the educated were still regarded as the centre, the difference now was that peasants had the possibility of entering this exclusive domain.
The post-modern era, according to Derrida, was a time of “deconstruction.” All things were seen in pairs, one superior to the other: rich and poor, educated and ignorant, powerful and powerless, etc. The deconstructivist view is that rich is not necessarily superior to poor, in fact, being poor can be more advantageous. Seen from this perspective, poor is the new centre and rich is the periphery. Derrida goes one step further and says that hierarchy should not exist at all; rather, all boundaries between centre and periphery should be deconstructed [1].
Western society is a deconstructed civilization in many ways. Whereas in the past women were seen as inferior, today they are often regarded as superior to men. Similarly, modern human rights laws have ensured that the views of vulnerable minorities are respected and listened to.
Non-Kabbalistic Judaism, in general, does not deconstruct boundaries. According to this school of thought, the centre should be distinct from the periphery. Here we have the concept of ‘enclave Judaism,’ which clearly marks out the boundaries between the holy and the profane. The fact that this type of Judaism disagrees with Matisyahu’s style of music and choice of audience is no surprise, for it regards the mixing of the centre with the periphery as an obvious desecration of G-d’s name.
The Kabbalah as interpreted by many Chassidic schools, however, adds a deconstructive element to Judaism. To be sure, Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and Halacah (Jewish law) are two parts of a single Torah, mirroring each other in perfect seamlessness, like a body mirroring a soul. Halacah is the pragmatic counterpart of mystical Kabbalah. The authentic masters of Kabbalah and Chassidism were great masters of Halacah as well and saw halachic boundaries not as limitating, but as structural patterns reflecting the energy zones of life and the cosmos. Yet within the halachik system itself, the Kabbalists revealed a new light, often one that deconstructs bouandries, merging the finite and the infinite in an extraprdinary fashion.
The Kabbalah teaches, for example, that in the messianic epoch women will be perceivably greater than men, because inherently feminine energy is superior to masculine energy. The Kabbalah also deconstructs the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual. Whereas non-Kabbalistic Judaism holds spirituality superior to physicality, the Kabbalah maintains that in the final analysis the physical is more potent, the body deeper than the soul.
The principle is simple: the higher the source the lower it reaches. Esau is thus seen as having a higher spiritual antecedent than Jacob. One who meditates may reach lofty spiritual heights; however, the essence of G-d will remain elusive. Ironically, Kabbalah teaches that the only way one can connect to the Divine essence is through the physical. Spiritual levels are by definition constantly cognizant of their dependency on their sources. Conversely, physical objects project auras of egocentricity – they seem to depend on nothing other than themselves for their existence. This aura is, in a sense, parallel with the nature of the Divine essence whose existence is truly independent [2]. According to the Kabbalists, the ex nihilo nature of the creation of the physical universe necessitates direct intervention of the Divine essence. It is this intervention that allowed the physical to assume its egocentric aura. Thus, there is a unique similarity – at least in terms of language – and connection between the physical and the Divine essence [3].
This sheds light on the Jewish phenomena of Mitzvoth, which are mainly physical acts rather than mystical meditations. It is precisely through the physical act of a Mitzvah that the most profound connection with the Divine is forged. In fact, according to a Midrash [4] – adopted by the Kabbalists – the purpose of creation was for humans to unveil the Divine essence found in those parts of the universe which are most devoid of G-dliness [5]. This stresses the inherent value of the mundane and unrefined aspects of the universe – where the mission is most intense [6].
This completely deconstructs the boundaries. What was once the centre – without the Kabbalistic explanation – can now be seen as the periphery and vice versa [7]. Thus, by bringing a G-dly message to the intensely profane one in a sense is fulfilling the purpose of creation in the most profound manner possible. Indeed it is this ideology that has caused me to choose to live in secular Evergreen, Colorado rather than in a Chasidic enclave of Brooklyn, New York.
By his own admission, Matisyahu is being guided by the Chabad School of Kabbalistic thought. Thus, as long as he adheres to Jewish law and does not get carried away with stardom and the narcissistic celebrity culture of modern-day America, his music may be considered, in my opinion, a sanctification of G-d’s name.
~~~~~~~
[1] See Jacques Derrida, Of Grammatology, John Hopkins, (1976). [2] See Maimonides, Hilchos Daeos, 1:3. [3] For a more in-depth analysis of post-modern parallels with the Chassidic School of Kabbalistic thought, see Naftali Loewenthal’s forthcoming article, “Jewish Mysticism in a World of Change: Pre-Modern, Modern and Post- Modern Perspectives,” which in part inspired this article. [4] Bamidbar Rabba, 13:6. This Midrash was quoted most frequently by the seventh Lubavicher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneersohn. [4] For a complete treatise on this subject see Faitel Levin, Heaven on Earth, Kehot Publication Society (2002). [5] Inherent in deconstructing boundaries is the danger of losing all sense of limits, and thus raising the possibility of further concealing the Divine essence. To forestall this possibility the Halacha (Jewish law) must be steadfastly adhered to at all times.
Yanky
<thuse in my opinion>,
Who’s the author of this article, and whos opinion is it?
(not that I dont thing he’s right, Metisyahu is definitly doing the shlichus of the Rebbe)
dubbie
actually if thought about this a bit.. i think matisyahu is doing a great job , yet like all of us he isnt perfect . i dont agree with all his actions that are put into limelight, but who says i have to? the only problem i do have with his singing , is that it carries a hassidic name" especally chabad, so people associate his actions as being fine in chabad..
Plagiarism
Sounds like a reworking of Levi Brackman’s article which he wrote somewhere else some time back on chabad.org.
Check out the original piece at http://www.chabad.org/libra…
Titled, The Kaballah of Deconstruction
a bochur (not from OT)
There is a set of escalators going from level 1 to level 2 and visaversa from level 2 to level 1. One who is on level 1 can go up using the escalator, however one who is on level 2 will only be able to go down, he will not be able to ascend to greater hights.
In my humble opinion; Matisyahu is doing tremendous by bringing G-dliness into the most unholy places on earth. But we must keep in mind that many of us are already on the next level – listening to such music will only take us down.
*chavi
I think that the situation is taken way out of hand. If you don’t think it’s appropriate, that’s your own opinion, no?
RebYid
I must disagree with most of you.
Besides the fact that I don’t think that Matisyahu is particularly talented, his songs are catchy but his voice has me wondering what evryone sees in him.
I have been to a concert or two of his and I would have to say that his "shlichus" comes into question, he performs in fromt of mixed crowds, jumps into the crowd (regardless of the fact that there are women in the crowd etc.) his "message" is pure, but where do we see in any chabad doctrine that his actions are acceptable? he is a novelty act who will no doubt fizzle out soon. And this is comming from someone who has ALL his albums. but I am done with him! I think he is a shame to Lubavitch…. I wonder who is guiding him and telling him that this is acceptable? which genuine mashpia would condone what he does.
Has he ever brought someone to teshuva from his music? is he bringing frum kids to clubs and bars etc. under the guise of chassidus? does he perhaps inspire? possibly.
BTW, which Yeshiva did he attend and for how long?
Awesome Job.
Matisyahu is enjoying great succes obviously because he is doing a great Shlichus. I’m sure The Rebbe is very happy that Our 770 is on MTV (In his interview) etc. I thing he’s doing an awsome job.
maven
How does showing 770 on TV spread Yiddishkeit? How does singing psukim in front of an audeince spread Yiddihshkeit? Spreading Yiddishkeit is when we actually edcuate Jews in Torah and in mitvot, and this music is not doing that at all. Neither is it changing any consciousness.
The Rebbes Mentchen
There was once a very learned rabbi by the name of Shlomo Carlebach. He was a descendant of a famous family of Rabbis and scholars. He was well versed in both the revealed as well as the hidden aspects of the Torah. He was a teacher of both those parts of the Torah too. Many people have returned to Judaism as a result of his music and stories. Many of them live in CH and their children are shluchim of the Rebe today. His music has been accepted by almost everyone. His songs were sung in front of the Rebbe!
BUT……….. since his standards of adherence to jewish law weren’t aways as high as is expected of a Lubavitch Chassid, the Rebbe made it very clear NOT to use him. NOT!!!!!! to use him. That’s right. The Rebbe writes that he shouldn’t perform in chabad houses. He didn’t sing goyshe music affilaited with drugged up Rastafarians. (which is real avoda zarah for those who know) He didn’t sing with half naked belly dancers as Matisyahu does. (the videos are all online for all to se). He didn’t go crowd surfing. He wasn’t picked up from the street only a year earlier. One thing is clear. This man is not allowed to represent Lubavitch in any way and not allowed to perform in any Chabad house.
TE
An author aspiring to erudite discussions like this (footnotes and all) should at least use a spell-checker.
Label Mangel
Matisyahu recently stayed by my house for shabbos…he game us free tickets and a guest pass (which gives us special rights) my parent wouldnt let us go becouse his concert was in a bar. His music is ment for people who listen to worse rap and ragea, it has spiritualality in it..its not ment for frum people!
chaya
hes doind a great job. keep it up. and if some guy doesnt like hes songs so dont listen to it bc hes doing it to mekarev aother jews. and bythem its their style!!
Chaim
The article is indeed written by Levi Brackman and it is re-printed from the Algemeiner Journal. As for crownheights.info to continuously publish articles without attribution to authors (i.e. giving credit to those who deserve it) – would you please explain why is it so difficult to mention writers name!!! Do you feel threatened? Think about this: If all you’d do is publish pictures of accidents and fires, how many people would bother visiting this website.
Anonymous
Chaim, do you enjoy trashing my hard work?
Every single article that gets republished here by me or anyone else that works with me, will have credit back on the top right corner of each article, please pay attention before you let off on me.
MaxKohanzad
Also the article is old -‘Naftali Loewenthal’s forthcoming article, “Jewish Mysticism in a World of Change: Pre-Modern, Modern and Post- Modern Perspectives,”’ is available and is very boring.
ME
to a bochur ( not OT – if you insist ;-))
i completely agree what you said… and it uses great logic. but i no some people might not think matisyahu is doing the right thing – in my opinion, he is doing a great job.. if a lubavitcher should listen to him – its completely your opinion, no one will tell you what to do but i have personally experienced non-frum people loving him and as everyone knows music is the pen of your soul so even though these non-frum people most times dont know what they are singing it is still affecting their soul. now no one knows whats wrong or right but i believe that he si sdoing something that is AMAZING!!!
MATTITIYAHU FAN!
MATISYAHU IS DOING AN AMAZING JOB. A BIG KIDDUSH HASHEM AND KIDDUSH LUBAVITCH.!
I think the only reason he became so big was b/c he carries the rebbe’s message. that’s the same reason any shluchim get anywhere.(THINK OF IT, B/4 HE WAS FRUM HE HAD A BAND TOO BUT DIDN’T GO NOWHERE)
hopefully he’ll stay like this.
Mashiach Now.
Aaron
I think that frum musicians can actually learn allot from Matisyahu. Instead of recycling psukim and lines from Chazal he actually writes something meaningful and from the heart. I’m not saying that when the tefilos are put to song they become meaningless, but there is something disrespectful in using our most solemn and holy prayers for hold music on the telephone. After a while you don’t even hear the words and they certainly don’t have an inspiring effect on the listener. In my opinion this is exactly the kind of music Lubavitchers and other spiritually minded people should be listening to.
A Shliach in Florida
To cutiegreeneyed
I agree with you one hundred percent. Matisyahu is doing what most shluchim do in 100 years. He is bringing chasidus to a audience that will never have a chance to experience it in their lifetime. I love what he is doing and hope he will with Hashem’s help continue till 120 with great hatzlacha.
4amJerusalem
why are we still on this topic. nothing any of you say will make a difference. instead of wasting your time debating matisyahu. go do something meaningful, learn Torah, or mekarev a jew. but get a life.
Viewer
To Reb Yid:
1. It has been repeated numerous times that Matisyahu does not jump into mixed crowds anymore. He used to, but then stopped when he realized it’s not okay.
2. Matisyahu does have a mashpia that guides him, as has been mentioned in one of the articles about him on this website. In the article Matisyahu says in an interview that when someone asked him a question about the appropriateness of his work, he went back to consult with his Rabbi.
3. You say that Matisyahu "possibly" inspires. He definitely does inspire, many times over. He inspires frum teenagers that are frustrated with today’s Jewish music or simply not interested in it, and he inspires countless goyim to (in no particular order):
A – Have respect for a Jewish person.
B – Appreciate spiritual messages.
C – Even hear about the 7 mitzvos bnei noach and think in a way that’s closer to the time when "Umal’ah ha’aretz de’ah es Hashem".
4. Regarding his voice – that’s a matter of opinion. A goy I recently met told me that she gets "chills" when she listens to Matisyahu and his messages, and that she loves how pure his voice is.
There is more to say but this will suffice for now. Hatzlacha to all.
RebYid
To Viewer:
1. When did he stop jumping into crowds? I saw him less than a year ago (at B.B. Kings in Manhattan) and he jumped into the crowd there.
2. Which "Mashpia" would allow his recent Baal Teshuva to go into crowds to preform in a concert and not inform him at the onset that jumping into a mixed crowd is unacceptable?
3. As I said in my post his message IS pure, however you fail to cite ANY source in chabad chassidus that would accept or condone what he does (and this would bring his "mashpia" into question)
4. I listen to his music and I enjoyed his concert immensly… but a "kiddush Hashem"??? a "Kidush Lubavitch"???? hardly.
5. Does ANYONE know which Yeshiva he attended and for how long?
"Oheiv es habriyos Umekarvon LaTorah", not bring the Torah into their bars and clubs cloaked in Regge music!
*chavi
they don’t even let us listen to it at school. which is a bit retarded, i was threatened that if i go to his concert i will be suspended from school. crazy huh? my parents approve of him just fine. and if his concerts are in bars, you have to be 18 to get in anyways, so by then I would think that you can make your own decision to go or not. and label, what you said about not for ‘frum’ people..that’s just crazy.
shlucha
In response to someone who asked "Did Matisyahu make anyone frum with his music" etc..
I work with a lot of non frum (yet) teens here on Shlichus .. one of the teens told me ..
I love Matisyahu… every day I go in my car and turn on the track where he says the Shma and I say it with him…
One girl asked me what Moshiach was after hearing it in Matisyahu’s song
from another boy.. Matisyahu is cool.. i think I could be religious like Matisyahu ..
Mikeeee
To reb yid.
What were you doing in the bar if it is not a kidush hashem. Matiyahu is getting paid and people are enjoying, but you just went for your own fat Taives, so why are you complaining about matisyahu.
And bichlal who are you to question the mashpia he uses. I gurantee you that his Mashpia would never go to the bars you went to, so stop haking in tchainik and stop acting holy.
Viewer
RebYid:
1. I can’t give you a date for when he stopped crowd-surfing. I do know that he definitely does not do it anymore. I recently attended a concert of his (NOT in a bar) and although many in the audience climbed onto the stage and jumped off it into the crowd, Matisyahu did not AND had the security try their best to make sure no one else would do it.
2. Most probably the mashpia did not know about the crowd-surfing. I doubt his mashpia walked into the bars with him. It may be okay for Matisyahu to do his thing, based on where he’s coming from and everything, but it doesn’t mean his mashpia follows him there.
3. You need sources? For the sake of brevity, here’s one word you can toy with: Is’hapcha.
4. How many proofs of the Kiddush Hashem and Kiddush Lubavitch do you need? Let me tell you just a few things about when I went to the concert: The concert was in a city with pretty much only one frum Jewish family – the Shluchim. A yarmulke on someone’s head there is unheard of. At the concert, suddenly the teenagers and college kids who were Jewish were sporting yarmulkes and were immensely proud of doing so. Without Matisyahu would these people ever be proud of being Jewish, even going so far as to wear yarmulkes? I doubt it. Adults who were at the concert were also deeply inspired, and it prompted a great deal of discussion on Judaism, Jewish pride, and – more importantly – Jewish observance. (See "Shlucha"s comment.) They were in awe of the fact that a person can be religious and yet be so successful and do what he does. It made them think twice about an excuse like, "Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t be religious living in today’s society." People who would never step foot into a Shul went to the concert and were able to hear the words of Shema Yisroel and that Moshiach is coming and that there is a G-d.
Though I agree that not every Chabad teenager should go and listen to him, Matisyahu is doing a whole lot to make this world a better, more G-dly place.
P.S. From a different point of view: I understand people’s reservations about what Matisyahu does, and it’s good that these reservations exist. Otherwise, anyone would be able to do anything and say that it’s okay in the name of Lubavitch, without a person blinking an eye. In this case though, the objections can be compared to the arguments made by non-Lubavitchers about the whole idea of a Chabad House. Since when is it okay to take a frum family and plant it in middle of nowhere, without a proper Jewish community? This is specifically against Halacha that says you should live among other righteous Jews. How much more so regarding campus shlichus. Yet the Rebbe explained that it’s a matter of pikuach nefesh, saving lives and bringing people closer to Hashem. Matisyahu accomplishes this in a unique, beautiful, and far-reaching way. His new CD is already sold out in many stores. Kids in public schools around the country are singing, "We want Moshiach now." I hope it happens already…
anon
Matis went to hadar ha Torah
YedidShelSKY
Shmilik Kravitzky’s comment to learn torah and get a life.
Shmulik what are you doing here
more so 4 am
how about you get a life
Rachamim
When my friends first asked me what I thought about Mattisyahu, my feelings were generally positive but with reservations. I was concerned about imitating the ways of the goyim and the avodah zara that his style of music is generally associated with. I was likewise concerned that HIS exposure to "the music world" (with all of it’s mishegos) would take HIM off the derech. Witness his Pesach invitation from Madonna. How many of us remember "50-Shekel" who became an idolator and used (abused) his popularity with Jewish youth to spread a christian message before "coming out?"
Jews should not be seeking out notoriety in the goyishe world. It can have disasterous consequences. It certainly sends the wrong message.
My concerns regarding Mattisyahu were proven correct when it was brought to my attention that he performed with the christian rock group P.O.D. on their new CD, "Testify" (the middle "T" on the cover an unmistakable crucifix).
If you don’t believe me, google Mattisyahu Testify P.O.D. and see for yourself. If you google the lyrics of the songs he sings with them, you will find him singing praise in the name of the rastafarian god.
I don’t pretend like some here to speak for the Rebbe, but performing with christians and praising idols on christian music CDs is NOT slichus. It’s a shanda. It endangers susceptible Jewish youth and places a kosher hechsher on avodah zara. There is absolutely no excuse for this, no matter how you try to dress it up or polish it. What genuine mashpia would condone THIS???
I would CERTAINLY recommend that all right minded Yidden boycott Mattisyahu so long as he engages in such behavior. To support him as he continues on this path is to support avodah zara.
RebYid
To Mikeeee:
This discussion is not about ME or what I was doing at a bar in NYC, it’s about the message that Matisyahu is sending, it’s a debate and open commentary on the pros and cons of HIS actions.
I agree that I didn’t belong at his concert in a bar etc. and what I saw there confirmed it!
I question his "mashpia" because the context of the discussion revolves around if what he is doing is acceptable or not? I am not judging, I am saying that all those claims that he is on some great "shlichus" are suited for mashpiim.
I do not claim that I am "holy" I admit that I went to his concert in a bar AND that I listen to his music.
You should take a lesson from "Viewer" and have a honest non-insultig debate, citing facts and feelings. Your attempt at insulting me has no effect, it demonstrates your lack of character and abilities.
RebYid
To Viewer:
1. You make some good points in your comment, the only contention that I have is your comparrison between Matisyahu using non Jewish music in Very non Jewish places, using lyrics and tunes from non Jewish songs, singing in front of mixed dancing crowds… with a Chabad house?????
2. "Is’hapcha"???? c’mon!…. it’s one thing to use the skin of a kosher animal to make a sefer Torah and quite another to sing and dance in public to regge music which has many VERY non-Kosher connotations.
3. I must applaude your manner of debate.
*chavi
wow this is some craziness.
ECE
1. As another shliach in some farvorfiner platz, I can tell you that what Matisyahu is doing/has done is greater than anything that has happened in the past. I teach classes explaining his lyrics.
It is most definitely a Kiddush Hashem and Kiddush Shem Lubavitch, but definitely something to be wary of.
2. I do not want to defend him without knowing too much about this, but his interaction with POD is more on lines of them being a well known rock group than being the "praising idols" that Rachamim writes about. As for the lyrics, POD said themselves that "he brings his own faith into it", so obviously he is not condoning their views, even according to them.
3. Kudos to Leibelemangel’s parents – we ought to recognize Matis as a tremendous source of connection to those who are not yet frum, and use it as such. It is NOT a place for frum people.
4. Knowing Matisyahu, having had him give a concert here, and spending time with him, gives me plenty of encouragement that with Hashem’s help, he’ll continue on the right path. And there’s no question to me that just as the Rebbe told Baruch Nachshon that his neshoma is here to be mesaken the world of art, Matisyahu’s neshoma is here to do something with the (even more impure) world of music.
Just remember, and I promise this is absolutely true: he is touching TENS OF THOUSANDS of people who would not be touched otherwise. Those of us in the field see it.
Josh
Matisyahu is great! HE is doing an amazing job. Just look at his forums, and you’ll see that Jewish kids who knew nothing about Judaism are now enrolling in Yeshivos to learn more about their heritage…!!
Shocked!
I think someone who clearly goes against halacha, (jumping into the crowd!), will ultimately lead himself and others astray. He cannot be doing the right thing, I’m sure the Rebbe doesn’t approve! I think it is an embarassment to Lubavitch… this isn’t what we are all about!!!
Eli
How can he have such a picture on his home page???
(matisyahu.org)
Heshel Mangel
i think that matisyahu is doing a great job. the words of his songs are very good and bring non frum jews closer to yidishkeit but i think the way he sings it and where he sings it is not so chasidish. yes i am an amazing matisyahu fan and i love the way he sings it i have his new CD but i dont think it is the best way to do it.
Dr. Laz
Hey – nobody’s perfect, but Matis is doing a super kiddush Hashem & Kiddush Chabad. He has fans in touch with his deep lyrics that can only inspire them to do good & to lead better & more meaningful lives. All of us can take a closer look inside and find there’s always room for more improvement – like they say, you point a finger at someone, well, guess what? – you’re pointing three at yourself!
Go Matis! Rock the world!!
FBB
Everybody is different and everybody has different needs and wants.. Matisyahu may be good for me AND NOT FOR YOU DEPENDING ON WHAT LEVEL OR STAGE YOU ARE UP TO IN LIFE.. IT’S GOOD YOU HAVE YOUR OPIONIONS… BUT IT WONT CHANGE ANYTHING!
Levi Brackman
Please see my comments regaring the responses to this article on my blog: http://blog.levibrackman.com/
Viewer
To RebYid:
I compare Matisyahu to Chabad Houses in the sense that both have done and are doing much good, and both have lowered Chabad’s standards to an extent. Matisyahu, like any of us, may have things to work on. But should he stop singing until he becomes a perfect representative of Chabad? It seems to me that when it comes to his attention that he’s doing something wrong, he changes it. He’s on a very slippery slope, but don’t forget that if he were to change his music and his style he wouldn’t be what he his today, accomplishing all the things that he his accomplishing. Also, why do you say that he sings non-Jewish songs? The tunes are made up by his band and himself. The lyrics are his own. He makes mention of non-Jewish concepts, but then again along the lines of comparison with Chabad Houses: Chabad Houses constantly use words and concepts from the secular world to get their message across. A simple, off-hand example would be the sukkos parties called "Pizza in the Hut" with a logo looking very much like the non-kosher restaurant. Is that wrong? It may not be appropriate for use in a school with frum kids, but working with the secular world is different. Not everything done at Chabad Houses is meant for frum kids.
Is’hapcha is not just about taking physical things and making them spiritual. It’s also about taking personal character traits and talents and using them for the service of Hashem.
To ECE:
Your comments are excellent. I agree with every one of them. I especially applaud Label Mangel’s parents and Label himself for listening to them. It was the right thing to do!
Meeting Matisyahu (and his wife and adorable -ka’h- baby) while being on Shlichus gave me much insight into what’s really going on.
Viewer
Eli – I know the picture doesn’t look Chassidish, but what’s wrong with it?
FBB – Opinions do change things. It leads to knowledge and often action.
RebYid
To Viewer
On his latest album in at least two songs he uses a tune and lyrics from non-Jewish songs, example "aint nothing gonna break my style…." etc.
I hope he reads theese posts and figures out a way to purify his meens and methods in delivering his pure message.
even in the ishapcha that you point out, you still must allways keep in mind Oheiv es Habriyos umekarvan LaTorah, and make sure that when you are in such a public eye you must be EXTRA carefull with the tahara of your message, lest there ever be an opening that would make the message posul.
I Just want to throw a comment out there and I would love to hear feedback:
What is the diffrence between Matisyahu and the Kablah Center? or Rabbi Shmuly Boteach?? BOTH have a message that they feel is pure yet many Lubavitchers condem them and laude Matisyahu as a "shliach"???
Mo Dude
Matisyahu is doing tremendous good for the FRum Jews image in the secular world. No one has ever been this successful.
However one thing I would like to comment on is that I think he shoul publicise that his concerts in bars and clubs are not for Yeshivah boys and girls. If he was moe outspoken about it people wouldnt think he is making it Kosher just because he is there.
Shachar
I don’t understand how Daeos 1:3 (footnote [2]) relates to "the nature of the Divine essence whose existence is truly independent"
Maybe you meant Yesodei Hatorah?
Sha-Rone Kushnir
In a Sichah, (I wish I could remember which one!) the Rebbe explains that a Yud who goes out into the Goyish world is higher than the one who sits in Yeshiva or Shtetle where the is much Torah. He is a Yud whose fire can blaze even in the midst of the winds of darkness and still not be extinguished only because his fire is that strong and that blazing. How about Yosef Ha Tzadik who even underwent a name change in the midst of evil Egypt yet never retracted from his Frum mission, to be a true light unto the Goyim and also save Benei Yisroel (Yakov) from famine or extinction. Matisyahu is profound miracle sent by G-d at our most darkened political and social state, especially with the utter curses breeding in the music industry and else where. The Kiddush Ha Shem is more than simply profundity, it is a sign that Moshiach is so imminent, that Yudden have an awesome and acceptable image painted of them in the Goyish world, that there is a great sign that the end of Eysav’s oppressive unnatural rule is at hand, and Yakov is rising ever more and more so to over take him to satiate the thrist that lingers sorely upon the earth, until that day the whole earth will be covered with the knowledge of Ha Shem as the waters cover the sea…
~ S.
(Chabad of Malibu, CA. )
ben-tzion
i think every one of u people are lame speeking like that about people that are jewish and trying to do g-d’s workin the way that rebbi said to do!!!even after he came from a world of garbage and unhollyness, he came to change. and change others for the good!
so if ur looking for an reson to say why he’s not good for what ever reson…..(his music or his loooks or his beard or its bec hes lubavich now and hes better then u in ur eyes and u have a problum with that) and dont get me wrong you can find a mil.
but really you have to reallize that hes dooing this for moshiach and for the jewish people and he recognizes
that we are all one …..
and dont forget that theres a problum with evry one .so why would a person deal with your problum if you wont deal with his(ahavat yisrael,tanya perek lamed beis)
dont judge him if your not in his position———blah
ben-tzion
i think every one of u people are lame speeking like that about people that are jewish and trying to do g-d’s workin the way that rebbi said to do!!!even after he came from a world of garbage and unhollyness, he came to change. and change others for the good!
so if ur looking for an reson to say why he’s not good for what ever reson…..(his music or his loooks or his beard or its bec hes lubavich now and hes better then u in ur eyes and u have a problum with that) and dont get me wrong you can find a mil.
but really you have to reallize that hes dooing this for moshiach and for the jewish people and he recognizes
that we are all one …..
and dont forget that theres a problum with evry one .so why would a person deal with your problum if you wont deal with his(ahavat yisrael,tanya perek lamed beis)
dont judge him if your not in his position———blah
george
can anyone name the rabbis that condone what shmuely boteach preaches? especialy halachic issues
Eli
Matisyahu and his mehalich represent the entire chabad movement. Wild with no hadrecha.
not so young
For those who hold that there should be a double standard for the so called "Frum and the "Not yets", How according to Halachah do you do that? and is that good Chinuch in "shlichus" for kids? For those who think that after a few years in hadar Torah you can became a Deiyah in what the message of chassidus is and matisyahu has reached that level, What is your proof and where is your expertise? each one has to seriously ask him or her self what they think the Pshat of Lesheim Shomayim is and how far they are willing to go to prove this. Another issue is that to reffer to Shluchim as Mekubalim is a fraud and a farse. Chabad does not spread kabbalh they do not learn Kabalah and anyone offering a class in kabalh to those who have yet to learn to read the Alef Bais are transgressing the psak of Reb chaim vital (hopefully shluchim know who he was) in which he PASKINS that to learn kabalah not chassidus you have to be a Boki in shas and poskim, al achas kama vekama to teach Kabalh. These issues are confusing because they are a matter of Halachah and the choice to listen or not to go or not is not the job of a Mashpiah because it is not a Derech in the avodah of chassidus, one has to ask a real Rav and so does Matisyahu I believe that his music should come either with or with out a Haskama.
After Shulchan Aruch is the basis of Yidishkeit as we see the Rebbe asked for the kitzur Shulchan aruch when the Rebetzin passed away even though the Rebbe knew the halacha you always have to check it out and this applies both to the "frum" and the "not yets".
rabbi george
If had a beard like that i’d get hair in my soup like all the time LOL @ My Long Jewish beard…Xx
Collin
I don’t know much about Matisyahu. I guess I’d be tolerant of his not being frum. But I am appalled that he would sing avoda zara. Let him sing at night clubs or whatever, and fine, we don’t know that G-d would really be upset about that. But avoda zara is an entirely different level of mishegas.
anon
to rebyid:
WHO CARES WHAT YESHIVA HE WENT TO???? you are such a crown heightser!!
anyway matisyahu is amazing and you are just jealous.
i feel bad that you do not appreciate his music because if it wasn’t for him I would still be listening to nonjewish music. As of now matis is the ONLY thing i like listening too.
You should stop judging ppl based on their yeshivos and mashpios and do some soul searching yourself.
lubav teen
ash
BS“D
HE is doing Shlichus from the inside out!!! I am a Chozer BTeshuva teen and when i first saw him you have no idea how much an impact he had on me. To have songs like Jerusalem in bars, and Moshiach in places of mixed dancing elevates what would NORMALLY HAPPEN THERE! instead of people coming to see a show of cursing they see a TRUE Kiddush HASHEM and are spending their time singing songs that praise H”!
He brought the love of Yiddishkeit to so many, i even met a Goy who thinks hes really cool
This is a Kiddush Chasiddus in general, and i hope he has all the best Hatzlocha!
Moshiach Now!