Matisyahu: Exclusive Interview

I love this guy. His music makes me so emotional. I don't know where it comes from, but there's an undercurrent of melancholy that I feel deeply in his music.
Like many of us, he's on his own spiritual journey. It's only up to G-D to judge him. And, he can always do teshuvah.
I wish him all the happiness and success and love tin the universe.

May Hashem have mercy on those commenters here who have committed the most grievous acts of lashon hara (evil tongue = gossip, slander, etc.). As a ba'al teshuva who has also had a "secular relapse", reading many of these comments reminds me of one of the several reasons why it occurred. So much for "loving kindness", "ahavat Yisrael" (love of another Jew), and everything else Rabbi Schneerson taught about finding the spark in other Jews and gently trying him back. G-d, please forgive these people for not remembering the main reason Your Beis Hamikdash was destroyed.

I have followed somewhat curious over this Mattisyahu. When you get down on it, the money, the glamour, the Yetza HIora at its best. Everything else, is just excuses to be able to do all the things he is doing

Just what the Jewish world needs - more now than ever - as we see it becoming more and more sectarian. We need to unify our respect and love for each other. Don't you remember Har Sinai?? Like one man with one heart we stood as One - Truly G-dlike. This is the ONLY true way forward.

I haven't been following Matisyahu his whole career. I just recently discovered him through the remix of One Day with Akon. However I have listened to some of his earlier music and the songs on Spark Seeker are the ones I connect most with. I believe religion is a starting point on the journey that is faith. There comes a point when Religious Truths are no longer enough and the search for more of a Universal Truth brings a certain contentment that fills the hearts void. In my eyes...If your spirituality never exceeds the bounderies of religion than what good are you to God. Death and rebirth are a natural part of life. If God had a problem with the new found spiritual freedom Matisyahu has found then GOD and GOD alone is the ONLY ONE who has a say in such a matter.

The wounds from the past have not healed completely. I've witnessed the transgressions firs hand of a dear friend going through the transgressions. Please let's not forget the unity and combined musical talents of the brothers of pey dalid. I've had the honor of listening to the unedited studio jam sessions which changed my mind about all of these negative comments toward Matisyahu's transformations. Who is a baal teshuva or a Rabbi/Rebbiezin will understand. Certainly G-d is true. I will continue to pray for the egos to subside in order for peace and the future of the Jewish music movement to uplift and reunite us all. one generation step by step song by song tear by joyful tear. You have not seen or heard anything like it and with G-d's help the bothers will join again as men instead of peter pans lost boys.

Thank you for being the best spark of Light you can at any given moment. You and all of us are ever changing, some more obviously than others, however we are all renewing instantly. Thank you for your courage to own your process of growth under the critical gaze of humanity.

Matisyahu's life was given to him by the creator, what he does with it is ultimately up to him and him alone. His journey is his and his alone. The creator is always with him. It is not up to you to judge his actions.

The “new Matisyahu” should be honest with himself and the rest of the world. He should publicly admit that he simply wants to live his life as he pleases and does not want to answer to a higher authority. The “new Matisyahu” s the complete opposite of everything aish.com stands for.

I repeat......Matisyahu is on an amazing journey (as we all should be)....loves HaShem...is a terrific human being...a loving father....and husband to a lovely woman. LEAVE HIM ALONE!

You may repeat all you want - he stepped over the line - I hope he soon finds his way back!

I went to his concert here in san diego 2 weeks ago, i thought that somebody was opening the concer for himt , i couldnt believe his transition from being an ortodox person to a "a reggae singer"like any other one. For me was a big disapointment because in his video recorded in Jerusalem he said the oposit from this interview

Thank you for being real and i hope you can finally serve your Creator with the uniqueness that is you and with joy that fills every crevice of your heart

The external aspects of Judaism have a reason behind them, reasons that are rooted in Jewish thought and are meant to bring a person closer to Hashem. The secular world focuses on externals that are just that, external and nothing else. We need to study the Torah in order to understand why we do some of the seemingly external things that we do.

I went to see Matisyahu, but I saw a man who had abandoned Hashem. Beards don't matter, Mati... Your voice doesn't carry, doesn't inspire, doesn't have His Power behind it. Turn your face on Him, and how can He come through you? You were helping to carry us all back to Him. It shows that the enemy attacks the brightest lights to dim them. It's not about you Mati. Not your beard, your face, your anything. It's about Him. And His people. Remember us? Come back. We need you.

How wonderful that you choose for your authenticity! Bravo! Its truly about what's happening on the inside! Stay inspired

The fifth big question is where is Matisyahu heading and all the other friends like Erez Shemspeed and and Y-love? Can't there be more credibility to post about good clear examples of Baal Teshuvah , who have battled the confusion head on and clarified with advice from Rabbonim , while being able to express their talents and fulfilled Torah life styles!?:) The bottom line is to focus on the positive that we Jews are struggling with the hardest challenges in history both externally and internally. And any movement towards G-d will be praised, like Aish Hatorah's true kiruv movement and the sincere people within, like Matisyahu connection to G-d through prayer and inspirational songs of old. But where is his wife and family heading, with a father filled with tests beyond the biggest Righteuos people in history, and what makes Maitsyahu think he can be a spark seeker , when our most important role is simply just to do G-d's will and this will elevate the sparks more than enough :) Matisyahu needs tremendous Mercy amongst all confused people of our day , along with websites and organaisations like Aish.com. May we all be guided by the truth of real Teshuvah that brings us all sincerely closer to Hashem , including Maitsyahu ben Rochel Malka and all our confused friends, to real Emunah (faith) and success that is a kiddush Hashem for all time with Moshiach NOW! Now feel free to read below and remember , this is very confused!!!

Very well said and especially about "spark seeker" the rav of Brestlav said to his stusents,that he may free them from their sins of the past on the basis that from now and then they follow all the demands toward a jew that our Sages state, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT.

lets not judge but love! we all have our stuff in life.. and Hashem guides us all on different paths to where we EACH need to go... i grew up my whole life frum.... generations upon generations of frum people in my family, and you know what?... i have serious questions, and i daven all the time if Hashem's Torah is true HE will eventually let me understand... because i honestly do not.... i am not interested in rebelling... i want the truth and i seek it... ( you would never know who i was, i look the look and all- i could be your best friend or neighbor but there are plenty of deep thinkers out there - you know who you are- who understand what i mean) May Hashem guide us all on the path that He (i just right HE for lack of better noun) wants us to serve Him in and be proud of us all!

Cutting the beard is not a big deal. The most important sentence in the article is where he says that he hasn't changed his connection to davening, kashrus, tzedakah, bikur cholim, and most importantly Shabbos. Keep strong Matisyahu

I congratulate you on your bravery in following the truth that speaks to you!! Honesty in spirit far supercedes one trying to conform and be moulded into something that is not required in the big scheme of things!!

It is sad to hear the commandments, traditions of Torah are burdensome. Pray for all of our young people to be Torah observant.

i admire matisyahus music alot. i think that he is a brilliant artist. vey intelligent brain, brilliant heart, and thats why he has these ups and downs.

Nice interview. Loved reading it!

Matisyahu, like all of us, needs to have a Rabbi. It doesn't have to be the same Rav as he had in the past, but if his "evolution" is to decide for himself, it is a mistake; if it to find a Rabbi who may look at things in a way more congruent with his evolving ethos, it is fine.

..but ultimately a Rabbi that's wise will guide his student silently, allowing him to find his own path and encouraging him to be brave enough to think for himself.

So very true. This has been my experience through some personal struggles. I remember being frustrated with the silence, and now I see the beauty of what certain Rabbis were doing.

Why is everyone assuming he's all on his own and doesn't have a rabbi? While it wouldn't look cool for him to answer "My rabbi said I could shave my beard," aren't there plenty of halachic authorities today that permit shaving (and some even taking off a yarmulke) for work? I know frum people both in NY and London that take off they're kippot

How did u come to that conclusion that he doesnt have a Rabbi therefore he is deciding for himself? The oddest thing is how much i get what he is saying. I am totally empathizing perhaps too because I've jumped on the kabbalah bandwagon and as he expressed twice about beleivin in Gd, and 'in the end" beleiving in Gd not man. The heart path he speaks about is coming from Torah wisdom beyond what he can make people get. Its his connection to Gd unique to him that no one can butt into. His relationship to Gd that he is maturing in, developing, growing in , not being complacive to just the 'religion' aspect but all happening through Torah study, psalm readings, davening, the above and beyond faith strenghteners that he is experiencing becoming even more spiritual than people will judge. On the contrary, his experience is proving how much more spiritual and bonded to Gd he has arrived to this point, this is what happens when his jewish experience is not 'just' superficial but organic and authentic when one seeks thru davening. And as he emphasizes n i agree with by experience, its where he has gotten to now, its not the end of change or growth, its a continual unstumped process. Judaism has no end if we seek always Gds wisdom in life.

We should all be so authentic.

Matisyahu is a very talented musician making music of a particular genre with very obviously and consistently Jewish themes. He is not making music "for the masses" as much as he is using his art to express the struggles that he is going through, and the meaning that he painfully acquires through his life. It is a lonely and painful journey. One man displaying himself authentically can give meaning and comfort to 10,000 who bear their struggles quietly and shamefully. Who else does this? If all the critics out there want only stock "kosher", relatively meaningless Jewish music that may as well be stamped with an OU heksher, there are plenty of places to look for it. We all know who these "artists" are...they are trotted out very regularly. Matisyahu is different. He is much more soulful and less "external". It's too bad that his connection to Halacha seems quite tenuous, but frankly, we shouldn't be making an idol out of anyone. If you want role models, then true artists, whether they are musicians, painters (or even some basketball players) are not the places to be looking for them. They, to put it mildly, do not have stable lives. But thank Heaven that we have them around. They are like the spice that can give meaning to our lives and speak to who we are on a deep level. Fortunately, Hashem's world is large enough (and deep enough) for them to have their place.

People DO get so into it, because they care for what has happened with this singer, it isn't only his falure, it is the falure of all the previous generation, which I myself belong to, because we somehow falured to explain the next generation, that we are seaching for in this world, and that it is the best personal way to serve the Creator, BUT how we do it was given to us on the mountain Sinai in the Form of written and oral Torah including Kabbalah, and is an unchangeable part of the contract between the Creator and Jewish people. By shaving the beard away one may only find his way out of Judaism,out of dedication to the Jewish values and way of life. There are Mitzvot and their implementation-Hallakhot which we may not change, what we can change is the endless possibility of the quality of their performance as a part of serving the Creator. We lost a lot of sons and daughters, because we just didn't " want to get into it." Well, as our Sages say, every effort is of great importance each and every Jewish soul count, sso understand what the sages have been telling us for the 4000 years and to get into implementing it as one nation and one soul.

"Talented musician"- talent is given to a person by God, and we don't have a hand what talent (if any) we are born with. "Jewish themes"- one may achieve popularity through everything including "Jewish themes"." Music for the masses" - let me remind you that it wasn't even masses, but a child who said that the king was naked. If he had used halacha instead art, after ten years he would have had a pleasant and joyful journey. Why is the way still lonely and painful? Perhaps look for a different place to study Torah. He is much more soulful and less 'external" -each person is unique,for God, as all our Sages, as well as common people are different from each other and Matisyahu isn't an exception. And may be his Unique way IS to combine being an Artist and a Role Model for all the Jewish artists and people of Israel, because a Jew comes to this world to make his world record- to make a precedent of something that hasn't existed before. I completely agree with the point that what a piece of music may do to a person in some minutes, no lectures or books may do in days, month or years. But for the music to have this effect, it is to be absolutely genuine.

You are right that we are all responsible for one another. But That does not only apply to trying to make sure that all of the Jewish people “maintain the contract” between them and Hashem but also just as much applies to really caring for the well being of other fellow Jews, for feeling a kinship with them, and, as the Ba’al HaTanya says, to being “exceedingly humble” before all people, and I think especially before one’s fellow Jews. If I was in a position to help him with his Frumkeit and it was appropriate for me to do so, in that he would take anything I say as loving help and advice, then maybe I would try. But there is no way that I will criticize him from where I stand. I can only praise him as one who is giving us an offering straight from his soul. Music that I have listened to over and over. Music that I simply cannot put down. Music that is “absolutely genuine” because it comes from his heart; not because it fulfills a certain halachic standard. It does distress me that he loosens his ties to basic observance. But If I was in his position, I am sure that I would make a far greater spectacle of myself. He is a Jew through and through, publicly working through all of this, in full view of all of us. It cannot be easy, and it is certainly very brave. Will others be led off the derech by him. Maybe. But I dare say that many more have been led off the derech by those practising a “cold” but perfectly Kosher halachically pristine Judaism that has failed to inspire the next generation.

Genuis of Judaism is the combination of strict following Hallakha with the endless possibilities of spiritual exploration, inovation, and deepest insights in the devine creation, ALL these isn't possible without strict following hallakha,It was Ar'i HaKadosh what sat all Shabath with his hand incidentaly inserted in to it, because he knew the meaning of pulling a hair out of the beard on Shabath. One of my friends was a costume maker in a theater of the formal USSR, when she was praised by the manager for the costumes, she told that they were done 'of nothing' and ask for more money for the costumes,she got the following answer:with money,my dear,everybody may make costumes", Judaism is the creativity not at the price of Law, but on the basis of Law, and that is why I am absolutely convinced that cutting the beard has nothing to do with spiritual seach, it has a lot to do with his lack of spiritual knowledge, which gives the possibility to withstand temptations of corporial scale of values for example- a well shaved man is much more sex appealing than a bearded one, but it is only on the superficial corporial level of perception, as a woman is considered more atractive with the uncoverd hair, and that is why it is very difficult for some of the wemen to make the step toward covering them, but back to the Mitisyahu, even if his shaving the beard is a protest from "those practising a "cold".....Judaism that has failed to inspire the next generation", well his strategy is absolutly wrong, because it is childish pulling attention behavior, which shows that he wants to be inspired and when they failed to inspire him he "took his toys and went away". Nobody own us any inspiration, but Judaism is full of inspiring characters of the past and present:Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yokhai, Rambam, Ramban, Ar'i, Rav Kook, Baal HaSulam Rav Sacks just to mention few, if we wait for somebody to inspire us,we will finish with nothing,FIND the inspiration and share it with others!

Of course Halachically correct Judaism can be practised in a warm, creative and exciting way, but many practice and teach it in a cold and uninspiring way. That can lead to attrition. That was my only point. I also did not write that matisyahu shaved his beard as a protest against those practicing a cold Judaism. My impression is that he shaved it because despite a long and intensive search he found that it no longer held the meaning for him that it once did. It could be that he took on the decision to grow one because everyone else in his Yeshiva had one and he felt that, on that basis, it must be the right thing to do. His consequent shaving it off could be a recognition that in order to take something on, it has to have ongoing meaning for him and that if he kept it, he was in essence living a lie. Your assertion that it was "childish attention pulling behavior", in my view showcases a judgemental attitude that has more to do with you than him. What about Dam l'caf zchus"? I am sorry for being blunt but don't you think it is a bit unfair to be comparing Matisyahu with great Torah sages. He is also not a child and he is not a "failure" of your generation. He is a musician...nothing more and nothing less. He is an imperfect Yid like all of us who deserves to be treated with a modicum of respect. If you can't find it in yourself to do this, then maybe you should let it go. Especially as we are now currently embarking on the 3 weeks, with all that entails.

Yesterday there was a very good lecture on Hidabrut channel by Rav Ytzkhak Fanger, which expalined that there is no even once a word Da'at in Torah which means that a jew may not be a musicion and a religious, a jew is a way of life which is being a jew 24 hours, 365 days a year( rav's Y.Fanger words).I have nothing personal to do with the singer or his singing so there is nothing to let go at this point, I also didn't say that you see his shaving as a protest, because it was one of the reasons mentioned by me as a possible doing things of this kind.One point I agree with you that if he grew a beard because everyone in his Yeshiva did it, then it isn't very wise of him, but there is a point that the singer states his spiritual way as "unbinding the sparks of spiritual Light" from the Klippot of this world, may be then this statment is also an authomatically repeated after somebody of the same Yeshiva?, I hope that "Dam" leCaf Zchut is actually "Dan" from the word Laddun=to judge, otherwise I don't quite understand the meaning, but I agree that it should be done in each and every situation, and though there is noway one may be judged a merit in shaving a beard, but if he did it as a recognition of his unconscious following Hallakot without giving it much of a thought and now he wants to reexame his superficial attitude to Judaism and his bragging with Kabbalah terms, I would gladly wish him to find the authentic sourses of our Great Sages, which will be a constant inspiration for him and a guadence on spiritual way to the Purpose of Creation. I don't mean to be hard on anybody, but there is a different impact of the people who are common ones, and the people who are the public figures no matter if they understand it or not, the point that the aish.com brought his interview on its pages means that his act wasn't to be just let go, but should be discussed and given a time of thought by each and every of us to make the certain conclusions of our mutual responsibility.

I don't think he is bragging. If anything his comments reflect a certain humility: "I am a Spark Seeker, as are many of us."...ie I am not the only one...there are many of us " I am not in the business of endorsing religion or promoting ideas." "If I choose for that expression to be a beard, etc., that is fine. But feeling bound in it is not a healthy spiritual expression for me at this time." All of this reflects his belief that his choices are for him alone and he is not interested in promoting himself as someone who has "found the right way" and wants others to adopt it. It's a small point but i think it is important because it seems too easy to start with someone who publicly decreases his level of observance (for whatever reason) and then start ascribing negative motives to their actions to further derogate and dismiss their image. What would be the problem in just saying that he is deeply confused?

Also, I understand that "if he grew a beard because everyone in his yeshiva did it, then it isn't very wise of him" but isn't this done in yeshivas everywhere? The yeshiva strongly promotes a certain idea or practice and strongly pressures its students to accept and practice it. Sometimes it works out where the student grows and feels comfortable with the practice feeling that it is a true part of them and other times it doesn't work out and it is rejected. His feeling that he is "unbinding the sparks of spiritual light" still carries deep inspiration for him and becomes a kind of credo; whereas, the beard does not. In and of itself, I don't think this is a problem. The one point where I agree with you (and this is the most tragic part of this whole situation for me) is that because he is a public figure he has a greater impact, and therefore any alteration in his behavior carries such deep meaning for everyone. The reason I think it's tragic is because (on an obviously smaller scale) many many Orthodox Jews would prefer to keep all of their doubts and their s'feikim to themselves rather than speak of them because of the potential negative reactions from others. Secondly, G-d forbid that anyone with true talent would risk going public as all other actions will then be viewed under a microscope. My point is that there is a deadening aspect to all of this that belies your earlier comments of the "Genius of Judaism" involving "endless possibilities of spiritual exploration, inovation, and deepest insights in the divine creation".

As a matter of fact my first comment to this interview wasn't published,because it contained some names, mentioning of which I suppose were seen by aish.com as Lashon HaRa, so I won't mention any names here too, neither their way in and out of Judaism, some of them I knew personally and the pain is still with me though years have passed,I don't believe a word of this interview,because I have my scale to understand people, as the Sages says, if you wish to know who your friend is ask your wife, because MEN are Hokhma=wisdom,WOMEN are Bina=comprehention, and as I may not be adressed for Ideas,I may be quite sure in my personal judgement of them,anyway I wish I were wrong in his case, and I pray for him to find a way, because each jewish soul counts,BUT there is a very doubtful point which make me so pessimistic about this singer, and it is his calling himself the "spark seeker", in our world words "spark seeker" means a person who looks for the pleasures, after the Braking of the Vessels,parts of the Light fell down and they give the vitality to the word around us, and makeus to be atracted to the things of this world be it food,sex,knowledge,success, but the moment we get something it looses its spark and we loose out intrest in it and so are looking for other thing which may give us some boosting,Yes! exactly it works as any other addiction of this world,we wishes for more and more portions of the Devine Light which are dressed in more and more expencive or comprehensive levels, and as the Sages teach us we run along the circle of desires till be come to the wish to reveal the Devine, so as you see there is nothing original in being a "spark seeker" and there is nothing to brag about it either, but to remove these sparks out of the System of Evil into the System of Good is diffrent altogether,but those who know how to do it, don't speak about it in interviews, take my word for it meantime and make your own investigation to find out what all the point is about.

I knew I was missing something. My wife also doesn't like Matisyahu. I should have just asked her rather than write all of these e-mails :) In all seriousness, I think that the two of us have laid out our positions quite comprehensively and there is not that much more to say. I can see that you are very serious and focused in your Yiddishkeit and, to a degree, I admire you for it. I, along with many others, would have difficulty sustaining that. I think about Hashem alot and I pray, in both structured and unstructured way for his help and guidance. I learn but could learn more. I get inspiration from wherever I find it. It could be Matisyahu...it could be a Rav that I consider on a very high level. It could also be a fellow Jew that has insight into the Jewish predicament and the best way to relate to G-d. It could even be a non-Jew. These are very different forms of inspiration but they are, in my view, all valid. All of these people bring out different parts of me. I don't think we need to continue this conversation. Everything that we can say to each other about this has basically been said. Let me give you a brocha that you go from sterngth to strength in learning, in connecting to Hashem, and in Ahavas Yisroel...I wish you the best. Yitzchok

Thank you very much for Brocha, I agree that we have made our points and I wish to bless you and your family too.

Wow a wonderful piece!!I honestly feel he address a serious issue facing the bal tshuva community and even the ffb to a great extent,So many today know so much about the culture and outer casing of Judasim but very little about what the essence really is,the unaffiliated associate Torah Judaism with a dress code and too many ffb young adults even from ultra ultra orthodox families dont relly know about the true essence of yiddishkait besides for the externals.

I wonder what Matisyahu would say about the commandment "Do not be like the nations or follow their ways?" It's one thing to shave your beard and another to dye your hair and dress like the goy.. Just wondering.

Matisyahu, I am very proud of the road you have taken, and your courage to inspect, evaluate, and sort things out for yourself. As a "non-institutionalized" Jew and a non-conformist, I support you. To be creative, you need to know from whence you came, but you also need that nagging wound that keeps you scratching. To be creative, you need to think outside the box, and that you do.

in the beginning, he was taught that in order to be a "religious" jew, he was required to have a beard. that that was tied somehow so intimately with true belief.along with other things so deemed by his teachers.he grew, began to THINK and feel (as we should ), and wanted to find himself IN the religion, he realized that the beard only meant hair on the face and that was it. it is one thing to actually learn torah and halacha another to be treated like a sheep. the halachic path is filled with valid interpretations. if he were taught the varied legitimate interpretations of payot,etc.he would not have to now find himself yet again. the more hair on ones face does NOT mean more religious. we as jews have to find ourselves within halachic judaism.. not easy, sometimes it is hard, especially when we want to look like everyone else and eat what everyone else eats, etc...we need to remember our covenant with gd. but it is what we do. some things are more black and white...no matter how hard you may want it to be so...a cheese burger will never be kosher, it will never be okay to go shopping and exchange money at the mall on shabbat. but someone shaving ( using a halachic razor) (leaving the sideburns), have thrown people into a tizzy??? ...jewish people need to be responsible for learning torah and halacha from people who are not afraid, and who treat their students with the respect they deserve ( the ability to think and make choices within halacha). to allow them to find where within the boundries of halacha they see themselves. to have valid choices where they exist,and no choice where there is none... and know the diff. and to know that there is more than one halachic way to be a jew in this world. and i stress halachic. i am sorry this is happening in the public eye, but happy for this man who is really finding himself in judaism that truly advocates for the spiritual and intellectual halachic man.

Thanks for posting this interview. Matis has been able to take his music and message to places that many observant musicians could only dream of. His honesty is impressive, especially because he is the the public view. I hope he keeps making music for years to come and may brachos continue to come his way.

The only way to serve God is to live honest. One does not have to wear religious clothes and behaves by some sect rules. I have seen many "religious" people doing wrong things on daily basis. I would like to tell them: please stop crucifying normal people and please stop feeling that you are better than others, because you are not.

Everything he sang about in the past, he has destroyed and done the opposite. The bleached hair, horrible new wave over tuned music, and the people who has on his songs now.. it's all bad. Imagine some religious, modest, youth listens to one of his new songs then decideds to look up the other rapper on the song: Wizz Kalifa.. what kind of songs would that modest young person find? Akon? I love his old stuff, but I will never respect this new image he has made. All he is done is show why Chassids and other modest sect's should not be apart of the a secular field.

He has never done a song with Wizz (they happened to play at the same festival and took a picture together, understandably not such a great picture for what many of us believe Matis represents). Look at the information about the new record. The guest musicians on it are Danny Zamir (who is frum), Shyne (who is frum), Ravid (from Yemen Blues, an amazing and spiritual act of positivity) and several Rabbis who add words of Torah and prayer throughout the record. Arguably it's the most "religious" record he's ever done in that sense. Further, the fact that Akon did a remix of One Day is an amazing thing. Matis' music inspired an Artist; who generally performs music many of us would find appropriate, to remix a song basically about Moshiach. That is an amazing thing, and if Matis inspired Wizz to sing songs about higher-level ideas that would be awesome too. You can't elevate the world by running away from it.

This isn't AOL news with comments people. Aish is interested in journeys TOWARDS Hashem, and a desire to come close to Torah. That's it. Not one of you would be prepared to be judged the way you're all attacking Matisyahu. Applaud his desire to seek God and move on. And if you can't see the ruchnius in his music than you really have no clue what he's about anyway.

Singing reggae and looking like a chassid worked and then it didn't.so he's changing his look and his style, not uncommon in show biz.Let's try to remember that he wants to be a rock star not your rabbi .Judaism is NOT a pick and choose religion and Kabbalah is certainly not for the ignorant.As much as he loves G-d, so too does G-d love him.Let's not make him into something that he isn't...

the common culture is that celebreties are perfect in all aspects well that might be true in the secular world but in judaism even a rabbi can make mistakes so even if matisyahu would be wrong by his outward move. after all hes only human and just like every one is entiteld to make his share of mistakes as well

Wishing him continued success on his spiritual journey.

in my humble opinion, Mattsyahu looks effeminate without his beard. He really should allow it to grow in once again so that this distinguishing mark of masculinity can once again grace his otherwise feminine face.

I'm a huge fan of Matisyahu who still listens to his music and am not judging him as a person. I must say though that I think it is not a shock that he is struggling with observance. In fact it was more of a shock and amazing feat that he stayed frum for so long despite having the test of fame and fortune and touring on the road. It's almost impossible to live in two worlds. Also, he got famous when he hadn't really found his footing or totally figured himself out Jewishly and I think that took a toll on him. I'm not saying he will necessarily go off the derech and become secular (chas v'shalom), but don't be fooled into thinking he's major healthy decisions or that his removing tr beard, tzitzit and occasionally the yamulke are merely 'external' issues. As someone who knows what it's like to be chassidic and have a beard etc, removing these things reflects inner turmoil and strife. I wish him a ton of hatzlocha and I cannot wait to hear his new album. However, we can't expect entertainers to be our rolemodels of how to be good Jews or good people. We need to look to our teachers and rabbis and others who live by example.

the beard, tzittzit, kippah are simply outward manifestations of what has been internalized and the absence of them is the same. It demonstrates that Matisyahu is not enjoying the peace that only obedience to the great Law Giver can bring.

So sorry to see what many of us expected. He needs to spend some quality time at Aish - and get in touch with the fundamentals - halacha, mishna, gemara, hashkafa - and fill out the void in what was a quick spiritual trip - and his own trip(stumble). I wish him much success- quick return - and strength to fight the yetzer hoara - which has him firmly in his grasp!

I agree he needs to spend some time back in yeshiva, but as a mature BT with a family aish would not be ideal.

You need both nigleh (the revealed parts of Torah) and pnimiut (the hidden parts of Torah) to be a well-rounded and spiritually strong Jew in today's world. All body and no soul is never a good thing.

I didn't see any comments of him explaining the pics of him without a yarmulka???

I agree

I still thinking that Matisyahu is making great music. I'm a really fan of him and i'm jewish! and i'm agree with his new ways to see the life. Well if you still keeping the Torah everything will be okay. Keep with the good music :) Hatzlocha v'simche

Your music was my blood when I was in the Army a few years ago! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Shalom

I would hope that he is not characterizing some basic aspects of Yiddishkeit as stringencies. There are lines that even the most creative Jewish artist can't cross.

Reb Matis thank you for all these past years for all your wonderful music... if you have some time please watch your show from bonaroo years back its online i listened to it all the time... i have been too so many shows its is really the best i have ever seen... so much simcha love torah etc....

As someone who believes in integrating all types of music if it helps one serve haShem better (I've used Simon & Garfunkel's SCARBORO FAIR for LECHA DODI) I thoroughly enjoy the reggae expression BUT what happened to halacha & minhag? I see a concert scheduled on Long Island July 23 which corresponds with the "9 days", one of the most somber periods of the Jewish people thad led to the destruction of our Holy Temple & our exile (to babylon--& if you are Rasta you can understand our pain). For around 2, 000 years we, the Jewish people, have minimized our joy during these 9 dasys as if were a period of mourning--and we took upon ourselves the custom of avoiding music(among other things)-BECAUSE it is something that makes the heart glad---AND YOU ARE PERFORMING SPECIFICALLY ON THESE DAYS?!? Goodness mon, look what you're doing to your soul!

brother don't you understand what he is saying ... he wants to learn and find the right path in torah ... he needs to take baby steps so he doesn't fall ...

I agree with taking things slowly--but in the 10 or so years he's been working at his jewishness he SURELY must have learned about the significance of the days leading up to Tisha b'Av--these are not baby steps, it's more like a reversal going backwards---and doesn't bode well for connecting deeply) with God.

Reb Matis ... i am so happy your had this interview.. i traveled the same paths and you saved my life many times through your music... when i wasnt orthodox my life was music... when i became orthodox i had lost my music.. then one day Hashem brought me to your door blew me a way and was a struggla... when i needed a break and needed inspiration i just listened to your tunes.. i have always wanted to thank you ... when you went through your most recent change it was a huge dagger in my heart... and i always looked to check your fb page etc.. hoping to see you kippa again etc... then just last week i said matis for sure has a real plan ... matis needs to start his search a differnet way ... i was trying to fullfil the mitzvah of judging all favorobly and came to the conclusion that is flowing through thus article... Reb Matis there is a beautiful sefer call chovos livavos it talks about the journey and truth your are seaking... he talks about how man needs to serve GD out of just pure love and also through the torah... bc if man only serves GD bc of fear and reward he wont be able to serve the complete way and if decides to serve GD bc of what he thinks is best then he will never really know what GD wants... you must serve GD through both true love and the torah ... Although in truth they are one in the same ... since we are only earthly we need to serve him in both seperate ways... Matis keep inspiring yourself and the world... you have a GDly gifts and have been given the gift to heal the world... thank you soooo much and GD Bless....

It's nice to be reminded that the path to Judaism isn't a straight line. Wishing Matisyahu much success and continued inspiration on his journey, and kudos to Aish for showing the many facets of the journey.

I loved to listen to Rabbi Ephraim Simon of Chabad, Teaneck. I remember him saying, "the pig is a symbolic animal in that, on first glance, it seems to be a kosher animal (split hooves); however, on the inside, it fails Kashruth by the stomach criterion. Like some religious people, on the outside they are kosher, but on the inside, there is not a shred of Jewish spirituality or "spark." I remember watching TV, seeing a religious Jew exposed for exploiting old people, rotting in his old age homes..Although not religious at that time, I felt nothing but revulsion at him, masquerading as a lofty Jew. I appreciate M's spiritual flux, one of which I struggle with, esp in the midst of Israeli summer (sleeves/hat/sweat/tears, or maybe it's just sweat.

Let me start off by saying that I do not pretend to know you. I am a Jewish man who is an artist. I can relate to what I've read here. I am trying to learn how to trust myself as an artist. My compass is focused on Halakha. My relationship with Hashem is deeply personal and Jewish teachers engage my creativity and I am careful not to lose my individuality by following blindly. It is a challenge to find the balance of creative expression which spiritual direction. Often I find myself impressed upon by philosophical ideas that can be misleading. But my creativity has not reached a mass audience and so the person who is effected most by art is myself. The Rabbis teach that a half truth is more dangerous than a whole lie. I have always been a creative person and my creative ideas have more than once confused me. I have always identified myself through my Jewish identity though until I started traveling toward refining myself through observant Jewish learning my transformation was often heeled back because my own voice was louder than my ability to learn Torah. I realized that my creative ideas often were based on ideas that lacked knowledge. Being an artist gave me a unique insight that traveled on a parallel road but emotions lead me to detours. I pray that your path is solid and that you are careful with as it inspires many people. Your work is very beautiful but remember that you help people express their relationship with Hashem by way of expressing their feelings through your voice.

Many amazing, observant Jews are cleanshaven. Matis' beard displayed him outwardly as a Lubavitcher chasid, whom generally consider beards a distinction of pride. Let us hope Matis continues to be a ben Torah, to daven with Tefillin and minyan every day, keep kosher and Shabbos. Being a successful entertainer has to be a big nisayon (test), not to mention associating with people who no doubt do not share Torah values. May you stay strong, Matis. You carry the extra burden of being a symbol for Jews. Chazak Chazak! Remain strong!

Mattisyahu, your music has been inspirational in many ways for my family and myself over the years. I hope you understand that it makes sense for many of us to worry about you when you do something on the outside that appears as if you are throwing off the yoke of Torah, instead of just minhagim or stringencies..like you said. I have been legitimately worried for you, my brother. I feel better after reading your interview here. It is good that you are expressing these things to the public...so we can know a bit of what is going on. I look forward to the new record...and I'm very happy that you found inspiration in Israel. May HaShem help you to find the exact place in Torah and Judaism that fits right for you and your family. We all have our place. Stay true to the halakhah and please be careful. Don't confuse stringencies with basic halakhah. May HaShem continue to guide you. Ya'aqov - a convert to Judaism

I couldn't agree more... I also felt very worried...

I love his first works, the music, the words, the visuals, the message, and love his videos, like the one about Chanukah. I came across one video online where he acts shooting some one in cold blood for no reason, which meant to me that I could not trust his judgement and just show a child his work without first previewing it. I see he has stuck to Jewish Reggae on his new recording.

If Matisyahu chooses to be without a yarmulke - so be it. But the tweeted picture was offensive not because of his new "look" - but rather because he chose to show himself smiling/laughing next to a peer musician who was clearly smoking a joint. I don't care what someone does when they want to "find" their "self" but when you have a child, and you want to be an example and role model, then for better or for worse you have to put some aspects of your quest for personal happiness on the back burner, at least publicly, out of respect, dignity and decency for your child, your spouse, and yes, your "Self." I wish Matis success on his journey, but please, spare the rest of us "fans."

See here how everything leads up to this day, and it is just like any other day that has ever been.

If a persons religious journey takes they through different stages of observance, I have no problem and will respect there choice even if I don't agree with them. But, If you are a public figure, whether a entertainer, sports figure, politician... you have a bigger responsibility. Matisyahu has a huge following of young, very observant and easily influenced fans. His transformation has had a huge effect on them. Many parents I know have had heated discussions with their children over "Matisyahu did it". If Matisyahu wanted to change how he expressed his observance, especially in a direction that most observant Jews consider a lesser level of observance, then he should have dropped out of the public eye first. As a public figure he has a greater responsibility and his actions are despicable.

Holding up a public figure as a role model is never a wise choice. Look at the politicians who lie, deceive, cheat on their spouses, etc. I was not in the least bit surprised that a man surrounded by general 'unholy' atmosphere that popular culture provides would change his appearance and want to 'fit in' with them a little more. He is a human being, he is not G-d, this is the message you need to give to your children. never idolize a human being. Even in the torah we are shown the flaws of the greatest men and women to learn this lesson. No one is perfect, you cannot put that kind of pressure on a man, and you cannot rest the religoius attitude of your children on any man's shoulders. Teach them the right way, teach then that human being are flawed, we are all on a spiritual journey and if their 'idol' fails to do somethign right, point out that he should never have been their 'idol' in the first place.

I believe that Matisyahu was probably running out of money and realized that if he desired the fruits of this world more than religious purity, and he was not going to earn a living in the music business, that he HAD to change his appearance in order to get a good paying job in "society". I speak to this simply based on my own experiece, we can either choose to be a traditional religious Jew or you can choose to earn a living, but to be able to do both is very difficult because as Matisyahu knows and states, "it's just that people react to outward appearance..."

If anything, a large part of his success has been BECAUSE of his chassidic look and lifestyle! Abandoning it can only hurt his career, and that's what makes his choice to be true to himself all the more special.

Personally, I have never heard his songs, yet I am very happy for him. He does not seem to be off of the derech as many have said. Life is just what he has said- having conversation with Hashem and searching to perform the mitzvis from a place that is not wrote.

Matis is a hero, an inspiration, and a true model person and Jew. I think some of his critisism stems from insecurities of people who don't realy understand what judaism is all about. They think that Judaism is a strict and narrow path with little room to move. However it is just the opposite- "Its ways are ways of serenity and all it's paths are peaceful." Judiasm is a rich fabric of diverse spiritual elements. Matis said it best; there are 70 aspects to Torah. They are all beautiful and equal. The Talmud states that "God desires the heart." People often times think they they have it all figured out. They think their approach to life is superior to all others. In my humble opinion I believe this way of thinking is a breach in faith in God and even borders on heritical. How can someone have it all figured out? Do they think they know God so well that that they have no questions on Him?! How can man possibly understand an omniscient and almighty God? To say you know the path that God wants you to be on is simply impossible. Life is a journey. Our whole purpose of existence is to explore and cultivate our relationship with our creater. Sometimes it takes a Baal teshuvah like Matisyau to show us a fresh approach to the service of God and to humble ourselves. Matisyahu is a spark seeker. May we all obtain the level of love for God and love for our fellow Jew as Matis has and we shall speedily see the end of this exile and the construction of the third temple.

Agree with # 12 - 1) should there be a 'disclaimer' opening this interview? It's not even an article it is a Q&A session! 2) 'FFB's and baal tshuvas alike must be in tune with the spiritual path they are taking and we must strive for truth every single day of our lives. 3) the nominally accepted 'baal tshuva' crowd have in general a very similar path to his - first comes major awe and life-changing, radical decisions to uptake a new 'persona'; then normally about 10 yrs later the real self emerges to produce a more balanced, functional, rational, operative, integrated individual, as any observant Jew (we don't live in sects or recondite dark holes in the forests) - and there is nohing so extraordinary (or herectic) about that!

He is clearly a sensitive, gifted, honest, and humble soul. I like the way he seems to harbor no ill will towards any other faction or influence. May he find inner peace.

every Jew is entitled to his/her own journey even if that journey somtimes take a dip or a left turn. I hope he finds his peace in Torah and mitzvos. The major problem I have with Matisyahu is that he has become, and is still striving to be, and is still being used as a role model. I do not like his music, nor the crowd he hangs with but that's irrelevant. What is relevant is his message and his message Is disjointed, unorderly and quite frankly suspiciously sounds like substance induced. That's just My personal opinion. He doesn't sound like an appropriate poster boy for the search

To be sure, I have nothing against Matisyahu personally, but the man seems confused as ever and his words smack with heresy. Words like: “I am now bringing my own individuality and thought into my observance” and “I am free to make my own decisions about my life, that I can think for myself, that Torah needs to address the individual and the thinking individual needs to address Torah” etc., don’t bespeak fine religious adjustments but rather a deep sense of confusion, if not a complete attitude of rebellion. One has to question the wisdom of providing Matisyahu with a forum at this point in time. Is this really serving Yiddishkiet well? While those who never cared about beards, as a religious requirement in the first place, might view the turn of events to an attractive windfall and thus prudent to cozy up to this religiously unstable megastar, this thinking is arguably a precarious gamble that stems from shortsighted self-interest. Can we really afford the price, by way of confusing our youth, to continue providing this individual a place in the orthodox spotlight, or has the time come to let him go?

I very much agree. I am a Baal Teshuva and for all the posters here who say this describes the "journey" most go through... your wrong. I don't think he should have a place in the"orthodox spotlight" or anywhere our else where our kids might get a very wrong message!

What wrong message? What would you be so afraid of? That there is not a "one size fits all" for orthodox Jews out there? If the only way to to preserve Judaism for the next generation is to shelter our children from all questioning Jews that don't fit into your mold of orthodox Judaism, well, than you are just saying that orthodox Judaism has no chance of winning in an environment of free inquiry.

There may not be a "one size fits all" in Orthodox Jews, thats why inside Orthodoxy we have so many types of paths... but the bottom line is even though they have different customs and focus they all follow the same rules! We as parents in the orthodox community should be very afraid, there is no sheltered children anywhere today! But that doesnt mean I should shove inappropriate things in my childs face. Secular culture is the evil inclination (yetser hara) himself and yes if you give kids an "enviorment of free inquiry" you are creating a recepie for disaster!! Even aduts can't win the fight sometimes, how can children!

So since you don't even know exactly why Matisyahu decided to "leave" you are assuming it has something to do with secular culture. It is also demeaning to say someone left because of the evil inclination. That is a statement without meaning as it doesn't actually deal with the root cause. Nobody leave orthodoxy because they enjoy Rock n Roll, mixed dancing, movies etc etc. At the worst, they will continue their faith and rituals, but simply do these other things as well. To think otherwise is simply a slap in the face to the true causes of why people leave. Might I suggest you read the book "Off the Derech"

i appreciate the honesty, but regret the overall need to express oneself as an entity as opposed to taking on "the yoke of heaven" and seeing the self develop naturally through that. the "bitul" is the key to the process so is the beard.

I am very impressed with Mattisyahu's intelligence, candor and self-awareness. I happen to have been "Frum from Birth" and although I have always tried to "keep it real" and strive to continue doing so- I and many others struggle with finding our true place within Am Yisrael. I applaud Mattisyahu and believe he will go far in all realms of his life!

This is a very confused individual who changes his core beliefs with the same nonchalance that others change their socks.His musical style has always been antithetical to Judaism and the real shame is the degree of acceptance he and his music achieved in the Orthodox community in the first place. Why should we have bothered with a rock singer in costume? And why should we bother with him now that he's discarded the costume? This is not our world, folks!

If one is raised in a Hared world and it works for them great. For sure that's not meant to be the path for all Jews, and even some in that world need to seek Torah elsewhere. To write that he is "changing his core beliefs the way one changes socks is probably more off the derech than anything he has done" At this season approaching Av it seems to me to be particularly sad to attack another Jew seeking to grow in Torah. I did not read he was dismissing halacha as irrelevant . You likely mean well but as Rav Noach Weinberg ZT"L stated "ignorance is the most dangerous disease"

Sorry but "many paths in Torah" doesn't mean that every person can define their own. There are absolutes. One can't live in the promiscuous, drug-ridden world of the rock performer and call oneself a Torah Jew, with or without a beard. I hope that next time around Matisyahu finds the true path to teshuva, along with every other Jew, but in the meantime I fail to see why Aish is giving him a platform.

paths WITHIN halacha.from the most left wing modern orthodox to the most right Nateuri Karta quote sources with legitimacy in halacha.If he is saying it's ok to eat treif or desecrate shabbos and can still be keeping the Torah then I'd agree with you, but I didn't get that.it's a long galus and we're out of our natural element .With Moshiach and Temple, G-d willing soon we'll have a Sanhedrin and greater clarity .In meantime it seems to me Hillel works better than Shamai and I believe that we are commanded to judge with a good eye.

Your love of God above all touches my heart. May your journey bring you even closer to God. Your music has and continues to touch mt soul. Your responses in the interview were well put and authentic.

Sounds like a healthy journey for ANY Jew, not just a Ba'al Teahuva.

Evolving as man, not as a life process. Matisyahu shows his diversity, yet remains sensitive to his spirituality. Ride on!

Courageous and insightful interview. I think we all (especially baalei teshuva) can relate to some of these struggles. Matisyahu should be blessed with only revealed good.

The reactions to Matisyahu's journey have upset me. Even aish.com writes before this interview, "Although we do not agree with or endorse everything Matisyahu says and does..." Why is this necessary? He does not deny Torah or halacha. His spiritual path does not belong to us, even though he is in the public eye. In other words, it is none of our business. This attitude points to a larger problem in the orthodox community, namely: Why are we so fearful of individuals exploring their personal relationship to Torah and Judaism? I was first inspired to be observant by Rav Noach Weinberg ztl, in an introductory class when he said there are 70 faces to Torah. This implied an infinitude of individual expression within Torah observance. Can we, as a people, and particularly observant Jews, get off the habit of judging of another person's business by what they look like? I believe this attitude turns away our creative and intelligent children, who want truth and vibrancy in a Torah life, not a narrow definition of halachic practice that is motivated by fear of what my neighbor will think. If we are responsible for each other, then we are responsible for all the children turning away from Torah and those hiding their hurtful dysfunctions under religious garb. Let's focus on the real problems in the community, not external details that avoid what really needs to be addressed (and we all know what these issues are). Let's be brave.

These are exactly my feelings, both as a Chozer beTeshuva and a concert artist-soloist (violin). One of the more painful, memorable moments for me was to be told by another Jew, that: "I do not look Jewish".(!) Anonymous, Yishar Koach !

Amen!

It says make for oneself a rabbi so to say that every one is different needing to find and strengthen there own mitzvahs.

Nobody is afraid of individuals exploring their relationship to G-d, Torah and Judaisim. He is not being judged by his outward appearance, he's being judged for his adherence to halacha. THAT IS ALL. Nobody cares if he has a beard or not, peyos or not, black and white or jeans...they care what he acts like in public (hugging a female fan on camera), and giving over a message that its okay to pick and choose whats good for you from basic Torah Law. Wearing a beard is not halacha, nor is the color of your clothes or the fact that you are a public performer. There is a wide variety and rainbow of Jews out there expressing there connection to G-d in differant ways and the ppl who are judgemental reveal more about themselves then about the ppl they are criticising. But, halacha is halacha. Bottom line. Aish has no problem with what he looks like or his journey - they are just not endorsing the opinion that you can just drop things that are part of Torah Law. On the other hand how many of us that have being on the journey know that it's a one step forward one back process. The thing is though that being in the public eye you have a huge responsibity to make sure your journey is not making a chilul Hashem and confusing ppl who are looking up to you, as to what is allowed and is forbidden by Torah Law. The flip side of privelage is also responsibity.

Let's be brave indeed.

I looked up your name and of course, it's Gift of God. I do believe we all are living out our names, meaning the names themselves that we give and are gifted, have within, much to do with an inner resonance that is deeply about our lives. This has some echoic connect to the ancient Jewish custom of changing a name, to confuse the Angel of Death, when people are faced with fatal illness that seems inevitably to lead to death. There is a deep alchemy to names and to the power of the Hebrew letters. Since you, Matisyahu, are reading Kabbalah you will know this, and maybe in meditating on the letters, as you may have done, you will see how a universe, the entire Creation did arise from the sacred letters. What's in a name? Everything. There is ame in name, and this could be split into am me in English, or ami in French aurally meaning friend, or ame in Latin meaning SOUL. I do it, with words! Once you see IT, there's no turning back. It's ALL GOD. Hear the awe within. Hear the AU within. The letters, the sound "bytes" are significant. I know this, and I write about this, all over the WEB. It's a webbed FEAT and it's entirely for love. We're all downloading from, the SOURCE.

I think his attempt to "clarifying" what's going on leaves me more confused than before. I don't know what is going on in his haert or head, but I believe he is rationalizing his slide away from Torah observance and do not doubt that he will be secular again within a few years. It's a shame.

Actually, everything he said was very familiar to me and to a lot of people who become frum through Chabad and other Chasidish groups. When they begin to want to explore beyond looking and acting frum, they at first feel like they're betraying the people that first inspired them. Those that are smart and truthful, the way I think this young man is, become mainstream frum or at least Yeshivish. Don't assume that because he's wanting to take different approach to his path that he's on his way to becoming secular. You're guessing too much.

I find your comment to overly generalize about people who become frum trough Chabad or other chassidish groups. "Those that are smart and truthful...become mainstream frum or at least Yeshivish." <- Please be more careful with what you say and how you say things. First of all what is 'mainstream' who gets to decide what is 'normal?' There are many, many styles and approaches within halachic Torah Judaism. I myself became frum through a more Yeshivish group, but later felt a connection to the teachings of Chassidut and the warmth and fervor of Chabad. In my experience it was not just about 'looking or acting frum,' but about genuinely internalizing what one learns and making sure it impacts one's actions and emotions. I think we all need to stop generalizing. You say that Chabad/chassidic rabbis get upset when you try a different path. Well in my experience many Yeshivish rabbis also get upset when you try another path within orthodox Judaism.

I find it interesting to come to this after having several coincidences involving ISRAEL, as in I passed a license plate that had ISRAEL, the entire name and I then kept running into all things ISRAEL. Anyhow, I AM following a language-based story and deeply perceive that what Matisyahu is discussing in terms of his own personal spiritual evolution in Judaism is deeply the same kind of journey many Jews undertake. We question and then we fashion for ourselves a life that makes personal sense. And that life often changes, as we change. I do see the world LOVE in EVOLUTION itself, running backwards. Clearly Matisyahu, and I will look up the meaning of his name, is a "star" in music and as such must be all over "yahoo". I found this piece very sweet and honest, and hope he keeps on finding the honey, in honest and in honing his most admirable skills. I follow, the "lieder" and I am saying this story is about LOVE. The greater, more cosmic story.

Matisyahu looks so cute now! I'm sad that he is not so religious anymore, but honestly he looks so much younger and full of life without his beard. It bothers me when he doesn't wear a kippah or tzit tzit, but he seems happier without his beard. After all, it's his life. As long as he keeps making great music, and stays a good role model for kids my age, I'm kind of okay with his changes.

Whoever this young girl is(why she is online to begin with, another issue), this small comment sheds light on the biggest issue here. She is obviously a religious girl '(sad he's not so religious'), ('bothers me when he doesnt wear a kippah or tzitzis'), yet, has no issue with public pritzus and divrei cheishek(looks so cute now) - tell-tale signs of modern orthodoxy, mestama. These are the crowd most influenced by matisyahu and his ilk. They are the ones whose parents, due to numb spiritual apathy expose their children to kol minei navalah. At the very least, most of the navalah is goyische. But when we have jewish sources, the influence is far greater. The hue of yiddishness lures them in, lets down put down their defenses. Lacking a strong background in yiddishkeit, these children are the most vulnerable. In my years, I've dealt with children from various modern orthodox homes, and the tzad hashavah she bahem is that there is filth being let in to their home. I've seen them leave judaism altogether; I've seen them apathetic when their friends leave(only in modern circles is there such a notion of 'live and let live' 'that's his own decision', etc..) Now, do you see this girl's connundrum? She is exposed, probably at knowledge of her parents, to this walking chillul hashem of a singer, who speaks about hefkerus and anochius the same way the phony 'kabbalists' do, to a supposedly frum site, and is torn between her love of Torah, and her love of things blatantly anti-torah. "good role model for kids my age". Parents, listen to this girl. This is your kids' role-model? A reggae singer with jungle beats and a 'do-your-own-thing' judaism? Someone who, despite knowing what impression it would make, did something which, even if mutar(shailos of nedarim notwithstanding), certainly was oiver on being 'yotzei yedei habrios'. I hope someone will listen to devarim peshutim hayotzim min halev without having to support myself with mareh mekoros for my opinions.

i agree with you that what this girl said was totally innapropriate. but thats all i agree with u abt-- are you saying that only modern orthodox go off the derech?? thats disgusting of you to say- i know people from the most yeshivish families that arent even keeping shabbos anymore. please, dont go insulting groups who arent exactly like you!!

A hasidic reggae singer in full garb....who thought you would ever see that? Nobody... Great hook...otherwise would look, care or buy his product...made a load of money now he can do as he pleases.

It seemed pretty clear he wasn't saying only modern orthodox people go off the derech. What he was saying was sad is that this girl IS frum now, but is still posting something you and I agree is inappropriate. That strange mixture is more common and less self-contradictory in many modern orthodox environments.

Im glad he's still observant. I don't think the beard should be so integral. I do believe in humility but it's one aspect

Since he is a spiritual and deep person who still obviously is very connected to Torah and mitzvos, I hope Matisyahu (and your readers) realize there are halachos, not only minhagim, connected to shaving. While many religious Jews shave, only an electric shaver is permitted -- never a razor. (And not even every type of shaver -- must ask a rav). Also, the payos cannot be cut too short. They cannot be shaved off entirely. From the picture, it looks to me like maybe his payos are a little too short. This also needs a rav to show you where the payos have to reach and how short they can be cut without going against halacha. As for a full beard and long curly payos, it is true that they are not halachically required, and it's good for people to know that there are varying customs and practices related to various Orthodox communities -- and there is also a halachic bottom line. I wish Matisyahu success and blessings in his work.

I am one of your biggest fans ..This interview is great.I wish you and your family well..I can relate so much everything you said but for my it was skirts cuse im a woman .but Judaism is always in my soul..

While this interview made Matisyahu's recent actions more understandable, it's unfortunate, though, that his spiritual searching has to be so public. It's precisely because he is so popular that he needs to be very careful with what he says and does. Being in the public eye is a big responsibility: his personal actions can have a major impact on the religious practices of his fans. Not everyone will read this article and understand Matisyahu's struggles; many will just assume he cast off his religiousity and perhaps do the same. I wish he understood that.

I both admire and relate to Matisyahu’s journey. That said I can honestly say that this end result was predictable. One could see it coming. The staged “coolness” of dressing like a Chasid while singing reggae was transparent. Judaism based on externals without very significant Torah learning always leads to the same confusing conclusion. At the beginning it’s very exciting to sport a long black coat or payos and beard or a black hat. Its very attention getting and counter cultureish. As well, the intrigue of “learning Kabbalah” is typical of this kind of short circuiting the acquisition of Torah and Mitzvohs. While it’s entirely possible, but doubtful, that Matisyahu is different chances are that he really doesn’t know the basics of Judaism. Over the years while teaching Baalei Teshuvah, many of whom have been “observant” for decades, I’ve encountered hundreds who are quite illiterate. Many can’t even count or say the aleph bais. And yet they’ve “learned Kabbalah”. The recent baal teshuvah can’t be blamed for that. The real question is where were his Rabbis who should have advised him to actually become a talmid chochom first and grow the beard later. Could be they did advise him and he ignored them. Could be there were no Rabbis in his life. As a result of this lack of guidance it sounds like Matisyahu has ended up with his own subjective version of Judaism. I wish him Hatzlochah Rabbah and hope that he, as a married Jewish man, finds his way through the only real vehicle: Learning Torah.

Let me add some of my thoughts, first this music--NOT JEWISH music, nothing to do with Judaism, is like a virus and destroys with time the emuna, its a "zar" body into Judaism. Does anyone believe that Rabbi Schneerson would have approved of him using his religion to promote himself? The whole story sounds so ludicrous, Jewish reggae? Jewish rapp? All this article is based on excuses his yetzer ha ra finds to justify himself

Dt Pister And I've unfortunately seen much of the opposite. One who had spent a year or two "learning" even one on one eith an outreach rabbi or going to countless "shiurim" and while intellectually stimulated and satisfied does not keep even the basic Miizvot ie tfillin kashrut etc. I doubt matisyahu lacked Torah learning I believe it was something else completely. I believe the whole performing thing got to him. He places himself in an unhealthy spiritual rnvirornt

thanks for the in depth interview. definitely gives a more detailed view of what's really go on with matisyahu. i can relate to some of his struggles