mentalblog.com comments:
Shalom Umevorach! And you should have a Chag Kosher Vesamayach! I have you on my favorites and your blog has the most insightful, intelligent, and factually informed articles, editorials, and general opinions about the State of Yiddishkeit in the world today, as well as the myriad experiences people are documenting vis-a-vis Jewish religion/culture in the world today. Thank you very much! You provide the world a priceless service! A Zeesen Paysach!
Abe Silverberg
Thanks, Abe.
first of all Hi!
second of all do you know where i can get hooked up with the new jimmy kimmel/matisyahu clip?
In the office where I work there are a number of non-Jews - specifically I'm referring to a few Italian females - who saw, and heard, some of matisyahu's work.
They were all very excited, and impressed.
Yay. Finaly we're getting the goyim to like us....
A) His music isnt all that good. Its cute and seeing a white, jew imitate black jamaicans has the novelty thing going for it. Thats about it.
B) This guy has become some sort of superstar, representing Chabad and the Chassidic way of life to the public. Has anyone besides me been nervous when this guy opens his mouth? I saw the Jimmy Kimmel bit and I cringed.
C) Is this what we've come to? We need frum entertainers to borrow from third world cultures to reach our kids. We have problems.
Exactly right. I know music appreciation is subjective but I just don't get it. As I've asked before, how would a Jamaican view another Jamaican who imitated Abish Brod or MBD right down to the litvishe pronounciation and yeshivishe mannerisms? At the end of the day it's a good imitation, a novelty act, but is it anything else?
Shalom.
How about we assume for a moment that he has adopted a form of expression that suits his soul best when expressing his adoration for G-D. If the message is pure, why care how it is delivered?
Listening to: "King Without a Crown"
When I hear Bob Marley, it only makes sense that he would sing in the style that derives from, and is true to, his cultural roots. But it would be strange if he chose to emulate a style of singing unique to a different culture, like cantorial, or chassidish, irrespective of the purity of his message. No?
Hi from a "goyim" gal in North Carolina. I heard about Matisyahu on VH1 and I LOVE HIS MUSIC. I guess I felt a little bit like he's a brother when I read his background as a deadhead and all.
I've read the comments about the "third world" music style and so on, and I have some thoughts on that. The style of music that I'm hearing is entirely new. Whether there is a reggae mix in it or not is really subjective, since I hear a lot of Jim Morrison's style in there too. Regardless, I realize that isn't the discussion. It's whether or not other music styles are worthy of carrying praises to Hashem throughout the earth. I'll leave that to the rabbis to answer.
But what I've seen and heard is a breath of fresh air. Do not we goyim also need Life from Almighty? I thank Matthew for his boldness and willingness to take a risk. What he has done is create a whole new genre of music--like nothing anyone has ever heard or seen before in this generation.
My personal reaction to seeing a Hassidic Jew breaking the steriotype and introducing the rest of us to the knowledge of G-d, is that he is a light to the nations. In answer to his critics, who don't think this is good for Judaism or Israel:
On the one hand, I have heard many Jews discussing how to convince the world at large to accept them as individuals, and accept Israel as a nation. On the other hand, they have agreed that the case for this has not been made effectively to the world (witness the increase of anti-semitism world-wide). It has become very obvious that leadership has been lacking. Confidence has been lacking. And a willingness to BE DIFFERENT has been lacking, paradoxically in those who are very orthodox and strictly observing Judaism. I have longed for the day when Jews would stop making fun of themselves, because this dishonors the One who CHOSE THEM!
I know of no other nation who is more international than that of Israel. You have Spanish Jews,middle eastern Jews, Russian and European Jews, black Jews, far-eastern Jews, American Jews...
In every corner of the earth, the Diaspora have contributed to their local cultures in every way: including music. But has anyone ever heard the Torah being announced and proclaimed in the United States by any Jew so PUBLICLY? I haven't!
Matisyahu just might have started a music revolution, confirming aloud and unashamed to the world the connection between a Jew, his land of Israel, his city of Jerusalem, and his G-d!
I, for one, cannot stop smiling to see this at last happening. I cheer from the sidelines, and pray for success, blessings, for all the Jews who love and believe G-d to finally stand up and be counted! Why should I care so much? Because I know right from wrong. I wouldn't know that without the Torah, so you can please accept my eternal gratitude to the Lord for choosing a people so I could know Him!
I know it takes guts to do what Matisyahu is doing, and I thank the Lord for giving him those guts! For how can you be a shining light to the nations, if you don't SHINE!
Matisyahu, my brother, SHINE ON!
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