Tuesday, February 14, 2006
He's a mystic, mon
Nothing in the Talmud specifically forbids Orthodox Jews from stage-diving at live gigs. And nowhere does Jewish scripture recommend precisely how one should behave in the mosh pit.
So Jewish reggae phenom Matisyahu had to learn through trial and error that it was a good idea to clip his yarmulke into his hair so it wouldn't fall off when he bobbed his head to a hip-hop beat. And that if he tucked his tzitzit into his trousers, the tassels of his prayer shawl were less likely to be yanked away in the pit's mass of writhing limbs.
Such are the travails of the world's foremost Hasidic reggae star, a guy who might've sprung fully formed from a United Colors of Benetton ad. He convincingly melds Jamaican roots rock with messages of spiritual uplift peppered with religious imagery, rapping and singing over reggae "riddims" intermixed with ancient Jewish melodies.
Dressed according to Orthodox custom in a starchy black suit and sporting the heavy beard of a yeshiva student, he launched into fans' outstretched hands at the end of nearly every show he performed last year. It became his signature move.
Late last fall, however, Matisyahu, 26, renounced stage-diving after he learned the cherished punk practice could run afoul of Talmudic rules dictating the separation of unmarried women and men. "There could be a girl in a crowd full of guys when you stage-dive," he explained from his home in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. "Women aren't supposed to touch me."
http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-ca-matisyahu12feb12,0,7169793.story?coll=cl-calendar
Nothing in the Talmud specifically forbids Orthodox Jews from stage-diving at live gigs. And nowhere does Jewish scripture recommend precisely how one should behave in the mosh pit.
So Jewish reggae phenom Matisyahu had to learn through trial and error that it was a good idea to clip his yarmulke into his hair so it wouldn't fall off when he bobbed his head to a hip-hop beat. And that if he tucked his tzitzit into his trousers, the tassels of his prayer shawl were less likely to be yanked away in the pit's mass of writhing limbs.
Such are the travails of the world's foremost Hasidic reggae star, a guy who might've sprung fully formed from a United Colors of Benetton ad. He convincingly melds Jamaican roots rock with messages of spiritual uplift peppered with religious imagery, rapping and singing over reggae "riddims" intermixed with ancient Jewish melodies.
Dressed according to Orthodox custom in a starchy black suit and sporting the heavy beard of a yeshiva student, he launched into fans' outstretched hands at the end of nearly every show he performed last year. It became his signature move.
Late last fall, however, Matisyahu, 26, renounced stage-diving after he learned the cherished punk practice could run afoul of Talmudic rules dictating the separation of unmarried women and men. "There could be a girl in a crowd full of guys when you stage-dive," he explained from his home in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. "Women aren't supposed to touch me."
http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-ca-matisyahu12feb12,0,7169793.story?coll=cl-calendar
Comments:
Why are you so sarcastic? Every time he performs he is Mekadesh Shem Shomayim, He brings yiddishkeit to hundreds of Yidden who would otherwise not have a clue and goes on huge TV shows showing his unwaivering commitment to Torah and Halachah. He should be praised.
Admitedly his music is not a Yiddishe style and should not be listned to by the frum community, but his intent is not to reach out to the frum comunity but rather to those who still need to come close.
Admitedly his music is not a Yiddishe style and should not be listned to by the frum community, but his intent is not to reach out to the frum comunity but rather to those who still need to come close.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: February 20, 2006 11:45 AM
: February 20, 2006 11:45 AM
Matisyahu is an inspiration and role model to Jewish and gentile children alike. Jewish children are becoming increasingly bored with Avraham Fried, Dedi and the rest. Matisyahu is a breath of fresh air.
I think people in borough park just hate him since he is a lubavitcher and g-d knows they seem to think that anything the lubabs do is evil.
I would only buy my children Matisyahu's music. Remember; when crime spike in the 70s all the other chasidim ran from crown heights but lubavitchers stayed and did not take the cowardly route like the others.
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I think people in borough park just hate him since he is a lubavitcher and g-d knows they seem to think that anything the lubabs do is evil.
I would only buy my children Matisyahu's music. Remember; when crime spike in the 70s all the other chasidim ran from crown heights but lubavitchers stayed and did not take the cowardly route like the others.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : March 03, 2006 8:53 AM
: March 03, 2006 8:53 AM
