PROFILE ‘IT’S ABOUT SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER THAN YOU!’
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY BORUCH MERKUR WRITTEN BY CHANA KATZ
Friday afternoon. Music superstar enters and immediately starts to sing moving in their seats, if you can Matisyahu is being trailed by a a melody, “Dum, dum, dum, dum, imagine. The audience is ignited. reporter from one of America’s most dah, dah...” and then vocalizes a Matisyahu finishes, gives a shy prominent newspapers, The series of sounds that sizzle and but appreciative smile and is ushered Washington Post. Erev Shabbos and explode into song. into the interview seat. Taking in his the reporter is barely keeping pace The cameras occasionally flash on Chasidic composure, the host asks with the Chassid as he navigates the the crowd in the audience and no one with great interest, “How did you streets of New York City. is sitting still. Everyone is literally become this rapper?! The article is published with the Matisyahu smiles and says, headline, “Funny, He Doesn’t Look “Basically, I wasn’t always religious. I Jamaican!” referring to the reggae A SIGN THAT GEULA IS NEAR! was raised in a non-Orthodox Jewish roots of his music. Still, the essence family and listened to reggae like any “The success of Matisyahu is of the story is G-dliness. “Matisyahu high school kid.” does this (gives up Shabbos nothing short of pure G-dliness performances, etc.) because, as he and certainly the work of the Host: “You get criticism from the sees it, he has what he had because Rebbe MH”M. He’s good. In Orthodox? he put G-d first,” she writes and then fact, he’s really good, excellent. Matisyahu: “Not so much. The continues with a quote from But that millions of non-Jews Lubavitcher Rebbe said, ‘Go out and Matisyahu, “That’s what real passion are crazy over him is a miracle turn the world over,’ and you is, and that passion comes through a and it seems clear that he knows should try to help people connect to divorce of self. And the way to do it, which is a big chiddush. G-dliness.” that is to give your self over to Another sign that Moshiach is The host: “What sort of things something greater.” here and Geula is near!” can’t you do? Are there any ––Rabbi Tuvia Bolton restrictions? AIN’T GONNA WORK mashpia Ohr T’mimim, ON SATURDAY Matisyahu: “I can’t perform on Kfar Chabad Fridays,” he begins to answer, as the ABC television network host A WHIRLWIND host interrupts and prods: Even if it’s Jimmy Kimmel asks the audience to a really BIG gig?!” give a warm welcome to the “most “It’s been chaotic. Like a Matisyahu: “No.” popular Jewish rapper” whom they whirlwind. One minute you’re a flew “all the way” from Brooklyn to bachur and the next you’re All this is getting very interesting the West Coast. The six-foot-four, 27- selling a half a million records.” to one of the other stars on the show year-old singer, Chassidically-clothed ––Matisyahu Miller and he interjects: “One million? Two from his blacks to his white tzitzis, million?”
10 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Iyar 5766 “No,” Matisyahu says. To make a long story short, for now, a lot has “Let me bump it up to four million,” he persists. happened in Matisyahu’s life in a relatively short time. On the one hand, he found his other half in a NYU graduate “Four million?!” Matisyahu responds, his eyes lighting student, Tali, and settled down to married life in Crown up, playing along, and then says, quite clearly, “No!” Heights and to being a loving, hands-on father to their * * * infant son, Levi Yitzchok. On the other hand, his career – A few short years ago, it may have been difficult to and perhaps unique shlichus – began to spiral in an distinguish Matisyahu from other baalei t’shuva whose upwards soar that still sees no bounds. He has signed thirsting, restless souls struggled through the pits and with the world’s leading recording company, Sony, and his passions of life in search of meaning. He learned at Hadar latest release, Youth, has sold half-a-million copies, HaTorah after his soul was ignited by N.Y. University peaking at number 4 in the Billboard charts and so far shliach R. Dov Yona Korn. Music had always held a staying on the charts for 9 weeks at the time of this prominent place article. He has in his life, but for been written this period, the about by leading immersion into newspapers and Chassidus took entertainment precedence. magazines across America and is But his music currently touring wasn’t put on the globe. hold completely. He performed at * * * little clubs which Beis turned into Moshiach: Given bigger clubs and your incredible seemed to attract success and the a growing fact that you’ve number of become a admirers. From household name his early days at virtually the YAM Jams overnight, you’ve (Youth Action come to Movement represent various gatherings) things to all people began to kinds of people – take notice of his Jewish and immense G-d- l’havdil, non- given talent. You Jews alike. How could tell that do you see this young man yourself? Do you was different as a see yourself performer. He foremost as a was an utter natural, a star. By the time he was at the shliach or an entertainer? Hadar HaTorah summer program in the Catskills, other Matisyahu: No, I definitely don’t see myself at all as an students learning with him noticed that a film crew was entertainer. I always thought of entertainment as following him around! something like wrestling or a circus. I always thought of * * * music as being something spiritual. So I guess I see myself In cyberspace, the name Matisyahu is readily found – as like a modern-day Chassid. but nothing, at least initially, on the Kohen Gadol of CHABAD TIME! Chasmonean fame. There are websites for his fans, websites for his critics, websites for his music, and Anyone who has waited in line for hours to get a endless ranting in blogs. L’chayim or dollar from the Rebbe, knows the preciousness of each millisecond with the nasi of our
Issue Number 554 - BEIS MOSHIACH 11 generation, the Rebbe, MH”M. Within Beis Moshiach: What kind of lives in Chevron. He’s a therapist. You the seconds that it took to be shuffled people do you take influence and might have heard of him before. He along in line, literally, an entire life advice from? works with a lot of young teens. He’s could be changed and permanently Matisyahu: Halachically, I count really a good guy and someone who I elevated. Minutes in a yechidus were on my wife [to seek advice on my feel like I can trust. I feel that he even more precious. behalf] because she’s amazing and really understands; he doesn’t get A Chassidic farbrengen, on the sharp in terms of picking up on caught up in definitions but searches other hand, was an occasion to something that doesn’t seem right. for the meaning. elaborate, to expand, to replenish the She goes to Rav Osdoba. Spiritually, I BODY AND SOUL, BRAIN l’chaim cup, break for a niggun, and receive most of my guidance from a go higher and higher until late hours guy named Efraim Rosenstein. He AND HEART turned to morning light. Music critics and reviewers and It was more of a farbrengen-style lots of people with vocal opinions interview we had hoped to have with have certainly attempted to Matisyahu. This wasn’t how it turned categorize, peg, label, understand, out. After being put in contact with analyze and meditate upon his lawyer and then several Matisyahu, his music, and everything publicists, we reached a New York else related under the sun. City-based public relations firm, Beis Moshiach: Given the title of which initially explained that your latest album, “Youth,” are they Matisyahu’s schedule was full and the group that you most want to could not include any new interviews reach out to? for what could be months. And Matisyahu: Not necessarily, but I besides that, he was about to leave on Matisyahu with Jimmy Kimmel feel that’s definitely the group of his first international tour. people I’d like to be there for. It’s good that the media are Beis Moshiach: What message do interested in hearing about G-dliness. you most want to impart to people? We persisted to publicist Aliza Matisyahu: I don’t see that I’m Rabinoff, who called the two years trying to impart a message as much she’s worked with Matisyahu “a as I’m trying to just provide support, wonderful experience” – but this is a support for people that are searching little like the shoemaker’s family that and for people that are looking for doesn’t have shoes. “I’ll do what I G-d and need to have hope, that have can,” she said with understanding pain and problems. I just hope that and honesty. An early concert the music I had growing up that was In honor of Yud-Aleph Nissan, the there for me, providing strength and Rebbe’s 104th birthday, we received a providing guidance – I hope that my strictly-monitored 15-minutes. WEEP WITH JOY music fills that role for Jews and non- * * * Every time I listen to “King Jews, for young kids... Beis Moshiach: Do you have time Without a Crown” it makes me Beis Moshiach: Do you see the to be a person, to do the things you weep with joy. He sings with music or the lyrics as the main want to do, or do you feel like you’re such intensity and gut-feeling emphasis that will accomplish that, being swept away in someone else’s that it makes my soul fly. or a combination of the two? game? ––Kazsimir Matisyahu: I don’t see it as a Matisyahu: That’s part of an FAMOUS CHASSID separation. When you have a song avoda: to surround yourself with you have the music and the lyrics Matisyahu has become the most people that sort of understand that and the two are bound together like famous Chassid this side of the you need to have that time. That’s the body and the soul...or maybe Baal Shem Tov. been sort of a process for me, more like the brain and the heart. figuring out who are the people I ––“G-d’s Reggae Star” The lyrics are the brain and the music want to be around. by Jody Rosen is the heart.
12 BEIS MOSHIACH - 21 Iyar 5766 Beis Moshiach: Is there Photo by Danny Clinch something intrinsic to the music? Do you feel that reggae is the ideal expression for the message you have, for your lyrics? Matisyahu: No. I don’t consider my music reggae either. When it comes to the music, I don’t see it in terms of categories or styles; I think more in terms like if you would think of a niggun. If you have an outpouring from the soul, you wouldn’t classify it in sort of a category, right? When it comes to music I think more organic – that you pick up different things and as a musician it effects you in your outlook and how the music comes out. Beis Moshiach: Do you think that your musical style could change completely then, to be a different style entirely? Matisyahu: G-d willing, the music will change. Change is a sign of life. * * * As you would expect, Matisyahu has his own website, complete with an autobiography, scheduled concert performances, and a variety of other information and meditate on my life so it just kind of more of: “If you’re unheard of, it’s contacts. According to one count, his like happens. One minute you’re a cool to bring you up, but once you’re site has received more than a million bachur in yeshiva and the next heard of, the cool thing is to bring hits. minute you’re selling 500,000 records you down!” or whatever and you don’t feel like Beis Moshiach: How do you view Beis Moshiach: How do you you’re a different person. You feel like your success? handle praise? the same person. Matisyahu: I don’t know. It’s kind Matisyahu: Certain things sink in of a whirlwind. Everything’s been CRITICISM AND and certain things don’t. When happening and going on in the last COMPLEMENTS people are just running up to me and stopping me on the street and saying couple of two or three years. It’s been Matisyahu tries not to read too a little chaotic and there hasn’t been things like ‘you’re great’ – that kind much of what his varied critics have of just shakes off. But once in awhile so much time to–– Not even time, to say, lest, as he says, “you get a little because it’s not even about time; it’s you learn that the music affected negative.” On the other hand, he says someone in a really meaningful way. about the kind of person you are. I with an acknowledging laugh, it feel it’s very hard to reflect and Or you hear about something you’ve seems to be something he’s getting done that affected someone in a way
Issue Number 554 - BEIS MOSHIACH 13 that it becomes not about you but about it in great detail. I was in himself up. That kind of story makes about something much bigger than Florida and someone was speaking at you feel it’s about something bigger you. an NA (Narcotics Anonymous) than you. Instead of thinking, ‘I did a Beis Moshiach: Do you have any meeting about being nine years clean. show today and I’m not sounding so stories about individuals you’ve We were at a radio station that great’ or ‘I’m just repeating songs,’ helped to inspire? morning and a kid later told me he you realize that you’re affecting heard the lyrics and that week went people and that’s the most important Matisyahu: I don’t necessarily hear to a rehabilitation center and cleaned thing. * * * Although more and more Jews are finding their way back to their Torah roots in the Chabad houses in the mountains of India and other exotic spots, there are unfortunately, still many more who drop into the likes of the inappropriate shadows of MTV (music TV). It is in that venue where Matisyahu’s song, “King Without a Crown” became most well known across the public who listens. In this song, Matisyahu sings about wanting Moshiach now. Beis Moshiach: How do you think your references about Moshiach are received by your fans? The controversy has always been that if you are too up-front, people may get turned off. Have you had that experience or the contrary? Matisyahu: Well, my experience has been in a way that I’m not sort of forcing it down people’s throats, like as if someone just took the words and went into the street and rammed it down people’s throats. So the context makes them more open to hearing and that, G-d- willing, they will want to hear ‘Moshiach’ (and think) what does that word mean? And it was mentioned before about reggae music and redemption – I try to put it out there in a way people can relate to. So I think you can speak about Photo by Danny Clinch
14 BEIS MOSHIACH - 21 Iyar 5766 Photo by Dan Mandell
those things, about Moshiach and much further place than I would have be influencing me, but I don’t claim Redemption, if you know how to gotten to on my own. So I credit the to know what the Rebbe’s all about. speak in the right context. If you Rebbe for that...and while I never Maybe from the Rebbe’s point-of- come from a true place in yourself, knew the Rebbe, I learned to a view, he’s very bound to me and I just then people will respond to it. certain degree the Rebbe’s sichos and don’t know it. I’m open to it; I’m not Beis Moshiach: What is the role of maamarim and they had a very big closed to it. the Rebbe in your day-to-day life and effect on me, and I went to Crown Beis Moshiach: We see it! in your mission, and as a singer? Heights and learned in yeshiva. But me personally, I’m in a situation I wish you much success, and How does the Rebbe influence your hope you continue to get closer to work? where I’m just trying to be honest and I don’t know the Rebbe...I write the Rebbe all the time and play a Matisyahu: I think that my to the Rebbe and I look at pictures of major role in Moshiach’s immediate becoming religious was very strongly the Rebbe and I feel comforted that revelation. influenced by the Rebbe and to the the Rebbe might be with me or might Matisyahu: Amen! shliach that I met who moved me to a
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Issue Number 554 - BEIS MOSHIACH 15 INSIGHT REACHING OUT TO THE WORLD WHILE LOOKING OUT FOR OUR YOUTH
INTERVIEW BY BORUCH MERKUR
Interview with Rabbi Akiva Wagner of at a less frum standard? Rabbi Akiva Wagner: There’s Yeshivas Lubavitch, Toronto regarding the always great impact that bachurim have on each other, in every area, and success of Matisyahu, the proper place of it applies in both directions [i.e., the better bachurim influence the weaker music intended for outreach, and the effect on bachurim and vice versa]. our Youth. Beis Moshiach: We are preparing an interview with Matisyahu, the extremely successful singer who lives Beis Moshiach: How important is it more vigilant in protecting them and in Crown Heights and became a baal for a rosh yeshiva to maintain a insulating them against these outside t’shuva through Chabad. Have you connection with the bachurim on a influences. heard his music? personal level? Beis Moshiach: Do the bachurim Rabbi Akiva Wagner (smiling): I Rabbi Akiva Wagner: It’s extremely appreciate that type of monitoring and haven’t yet had the z’chus to hear his important. The main success of any protection? How do they respond to it? music. yeshiva today is measured not by the Rabbi Akiva Wagner: Obviously the Beis Moshiach: The lyrics and quality or standard of the shiurim, but bachurim range a lot in this, just like themes of Matisyahu’s music are rather by the personal connection and they range in every other area. I find derived from Jewish and even Chabad personal interaction between the that the majority of bachurim sources. Does this classify his music as hanhala and the bachurim. appreciate the objective of the Jewish music per se? Beis Moshiach: Does this include monitoring and the need for it. Rabbi Akiva Wagner: Obviously monitoring and being involved with Therefore, even though they sometimes what I am going to say is only my influencing what type of music they don’t understand or agree with a opinion. I don’t think that fact is listen to? specific rule or a specific standard, enough to classify it as Jewish music. Rabbi Akiva Wagner: The world nonetheless, because they identify with Although, considering his goals and has changed from the way it used to the ultimate goal, they are cooperative the people he’s aiming to reach, it is be. We’re living in a time in which and even appreciative. That’s what I possible that for them it can be there has been r”l an explosion of find in most cases. considered Jewish. Beis Moshiach: destructive outside influences, in every Since there is a Beis Moshiach: So there’s different single area of life. The only way to range amongst the bachurim, is there a standards of how we define Jewish maintain standards for our youth is by lot of peer pressure and a lot of music. For bachurim in Chabad there’s being much more cautious and much influence from those who are holding a much higher standard––
16 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Iyar 5766 Rabbi Akiva Wagner: I’ll give you a used to farbreng about this – that for him a pair of t’fillin that are 4x4, on simple example. When Rabbi Berel bachurim, it’s not the most appropriate the condition that my father commits Levy a”h passed away, his son Rabbi pastime. It was understood that the to always wear his “kesher” according Don Yoel Levy took over the whole OK pastime of a bachur should be a to the nusach of the Alter Rebbe. I enterprise. Being very idealistic, he maamer Chassidus, a sicha, a Likkutei found it especially interesting that – wanted to raise the overall standards of Dibburim, etc. While Kfar Chabad or although, to my knowledge, even at OK, and one of the changes he wanted Beis Moshiach may be a vehicle for that time he did not consider himself a to implement was to not issue an OK publicizing the Rebbe’s views to the Lubavitcher Chassid, yet – while hechsher on any food that’s not chalav world, and for the world it is surely an learning in a Lubavitcher yeshiva, 4x4 Yisroel. His reasoning was that since object of holiness, for a bachur it can t’fillin was important enough to him as we don’t recognize non-chalav Yisroel be the opposite: bittul Torah. Even for a to warrant his making a very long-term as meeting our standard of kashrus, Chassidishe balebos it may be an commitment for their sake.) the OK shouldn’t certify it as kosher. admirable pursuit, but for a bachur, at So too, there could be music that is When he informed the Rebbe of his certain times, it is inappropriate. Jewish for the world – it may be plan, the Rebbe, to his surprise, Another example: Would any “kosher” for the general public and, in strongly opposed it. The Rebbe then Lubavitcher even think of wearing some cases, even for a Lubavitcher said to him [following is the gist of the t’fillin that are not 4x4? Of course not. balebos – and yet for someone who’s Rebbe’s reply, not the exact wording]: To provide such t’fillin to thousands of maintaining a higher standard (i.e., a “Should people who are not yet Jews over the world (as the “t’fillin bachur) they’re not kosher, or perhaps, keeping [away from eating or drinking] bank” is doing) is the greatest thing in for him, not even “Jewish.” chalav akum not have the option of the world, yet for us ourselves to don In the Rambam there’s a concept keeping kosher?!” them is unthinkable. (My father a”h regarding tuma and tahara – that So, although the Rebbe told him to never considered himself a Lubavitcher there’s different stages of tuma and give a hashgacha and to certify non- Chassid, yet he always put on t’fillin tahara. And what’s considered tahor for chalav Yisroel products as kosher, and according to minhag Lubavitch. Once truma is considered tamei for kodesh, this had the effect of increasing the when I expressed my curiosity about etc. And someone who toiveled for numbers of people who would keep this, he told me that when he learned truma is still considered tamei for kosher, it’s self-understood that in a in yeshiva in Bedford (around 1956), kodesh, etc. Lubavitcher home non-chalav Yisroel his mashpia was R’ Dovid Raskin. Beis Moshiach: So for music that foods would be considered below our Once R’ Dovid Raskin made a deal you deem not to be appropriate for standards of kashrus. Chassidim, who with him that he would purchase for displayed mesirus nefesh for every aspect of halacha, would have surely had mesirus nefesh for chalav Yisroel also. In fact, there’s many shluchim in far-flung destinations who have mesirus nefesh, relatively speaking, to bring up their families without compromising on chalav Yisroel. So while non-chalav Yisroel is kosher enough for us to certify it as kosher for the “world,” to a Lubavitcher Chassid, something that’s not chalav Yisroel is not kosher. And that’s something that everyone understands. I’ll give you another example. The Rebbe used to call the K’far Chabad Magazine his “shofar,” and the Rebbe obviously saw a very great benefit in what it does, as far as fighting the cause of Mihu Yehudi and the shtachim, etc. And yet it was always understood – and I believe Reb Mendel Futerfas Rabbi Akiva Wagner farbrenging in 770
Issue Number 554 - BEIS MOSHIACH 17 people of the standard of bachurim in they’re able to convince themselves HaChassidus that there were people a Chabad yeshiva would you then that it’s something Jewish, maybe even who were debating the relative merits classify it as something that is Chassidish. So, I’m sure there are of the different political parties, which forbidden? And are they aware of that, bachurim who find something one is right according to Torah. Every if that is the case? Is it something that attractive about it. one of them brought a source to his is very cut-and-dried, very apparent Beis Moshiach: Do you see that as position and they asked the Frierdike that these things are not acceptable in a very significant problem? Rebbe who is right. The Rebbe said, the dorms or in a yeshiva Rabbi Akiva Wagner: The fact that “The Torah is the ultimate truth, and environment? they find something attractive about it any truthful aspect in any of the parties Rabbi Akiva Wagner: In my per se – I don’t see that as a significant is what it derived from Torah.” The opinion there are 2 points here. [1] problem. The fact that they look to point of the story is that whatever Music that has a certain non-Jewish such directions to find their enjoyment – and in s’farim it says this taam to it, a certain non-Jewish style, enjoyment, the fact that they’re not specifically regarding negina – or that is totally derived from goyishe focused on where they should really be whatever beauty there is to any sources, I would say is forbidden, in finding their enjoyment – that’s a worldly thing is just the shmarei most cases even for those who are not significant problem. ha’ofanim of what’s there in pure, authentic Yiddishkait and Chassidus. If bachurim. [2] Even if there’s nothing You know, a bachur once came a bachur would seek inspiration in inherently non-Jewish about the music over to me, very excited, and he told Chassidishe niggunim, he would (and what that means is probably me he wants to show me a beautiful ultimately discover a much more debatable; different people can have idea that inspired him. He showed me meaningful source of inspiration there. different definitions), something that’s one of Rabbi Tzvi Freeman’s books, a not purely “Chassidish” is still not meditation or something in it. He said, So the problem is the fact that appropriate for a bachur. I wouldn’t “Isn’t that beautiful?” some bachurim are looking in the nd wrong places, they’re missing the pride use the word (in the 2 case) I read the line, and I said to him: in who they are, the appreciation of “forbidden,” because (while it may be This is a word-for-word translation of a what Chabad Chassidus can provide forbidden by the rules of the yeshiva) pisgam of the Rebbe Maharash which is them with. it’s not forbidden, it’s not something in HaYom Yom – nothing added at all, that’s inherently bad. But that’s not just translated into English, the words And I have to emphasize again that what a bachur is supposed to be into. of the HaYom Yom word-for-word. He I’m sure many bachurim in yeshivos If music is in any way goyish, while responded that he hadn’t known. have never heard Matisyahu. I’m speaking about that element that does it could be perfect for reaching larger On the one hand, I thought: That’s have that attraction. That’s how I crowds, for a bachur in yeshiva (and in great. Rabbi Tzvi Freeman is bringing would define the problem. some cases for any Lubavitcher the words of the HaYom Yom to this Chassid) it’s forbidden. With any other bachur who wouldn’t hear them Beis Moshiach: What is the proper music, if it’s not “Chassidishe” music, it otherwise. But on the other hand, it’s a place for Matisyahu’s music? Where is is not appropriate. We have to symptom of a problem: the fact that it appropriate for it to exist? remember that not everything that is the bachur doesn’t get his inspiration Rabbi Akiva Wagner: I already said OK to use for outreach, is OK to be directly from HaYom Yom. I think that that I don’t know exactly what the found in a Lubavitcher home, in a the reason for this is because a bachur music is, but I understand that it has Lubavitcher dorm room, or a gathering will learn HaYom Yom, hear it daily an amazing impact in hafatzas of Lubavitcher children. after davening, and not expect to find ha’maayanos and in outreach. If so, Beis Moshiach: Independent of the inspiration there; “that’s just HaYom that is its place. (I want to emphasize hanhala’s influence on the bachurim, Yom” [he might say to himself], that most of the points I’m making are are you aware of the way that they therefore, he doesn’t find inspiration general, not primarily about one relate to Matisyahu and his music? there. Whereas, in Rabbi Tzvi specific singer or another.) How do they naturally respond to the Freeman’s book he expects to find Beis Moshiach: It sold half-a- whole inyan of what Matisyahu inspiration, and therefore, he’ll see a million copies. represents? translation of the exact same thing, Rabbi Akiva Wagner: Fine. It Rabbi Akiva Wagner: I don’t know word-for-word, and he’ll find it probably is transmitting very important what he represents, but I’m sure that inspiring. messages to a lot of people. And just like any fad that’s popular in the There’s a story the Rebbe brings wherever those messages have to be world, it inevitably finds an appeal to down in Kuntres Inyano Shel Toras brought out, that’s where it has an certain bachurim, and especially when
18 BEIS MOSHIACH - 21 Iyar 5766 important place. In Chabad houses, in m’garoncha.” In addition to the general Beis Moshiach: Assuming that his shlichus programs. In those places idea that everyone has to use their songs have a Chabad, Chassidishe where you’re not going to be able to go abilities to serve Hashem, it’s tochen and given his popularity–– and chazer a maamer Chassidus, nor specifically said about serving Hashem Rabbi Akiva Wagner: Yes, given are they necessarily ready to hear a with the voice, the vocal chords. So a from what I hear about it, it makes Nicho’ach tape, there it can do a job Chassid who uses these talents to serve sense to say that the fact that there’s that otherwise couldn’t be done. Hashem and spread the Torah ideals – someone who’s using tools that are But within the Daled amos of that’s beautiful. worldly tools and using them to spread Lubavitch, whether in a Lubavitcher What we have to focus on is that Chassidus, pure Chassidus, to so many yeshiva, a Chassidisher home, or at an there’s many Chassidim who do many hundreds of thousands of people, this event geared to Lubavitcher children, things for outreach and we have to is really what the Rebbe defined as a there we should expect higher remember the distinction between dira ba’tachtonim. This was the standards, purer standards. Even the what we’re giving other people, and concept that the Rebbe spoke about enjoyment and the entertainment of a what’s good for ourselves. Just like regarding radio and television and Lubavitcher Chasid should be from with chalav Yisroel, just like with all satellite, using all the world’s forces for Lubavitcher niggunim. It should be these examples. This line between k’dusha. So it’s very easy to view what’s from a Chassidishe singer who sings what’s appropriate for “hafatza” and happening as another stage of that, Chassidishe niggunim. another manifestation of that. You know, Avrohom Fried had a Beis Moshiach: Could you confirm tremendous impact through his recent Within the Daled what I heard that the Rebbe gave tapes. Much of the Jewish world walks brachos even to bands who played around singing Chassidish niggunim, amos of Lubavitch – blatantly non-Jewish styles of music, to you know, the real old, authentic do hafatza, because they introduced Chassidishe niggunim that they never whether in a Yiddishe tochen into their music? Have would have known, if not for Avrohom Lubavitcher yeshiva, you heard such a thing? Fried. It’s a tremendous Rabbi Akiva Wagner: I haven’t. But accomplishment. All the same, a a Chassidisher home, you have to be able to see that in the Lubavitcher bachur shouldn’t be right context. The Rebbe gave a bracha getting these things from Avrohom or at an event geared to everyone who came to him, and not Fried. The “Misnagdishe” world may just a bracha but encouragement. need Avrohom Fried to provide them to Lubavitcher There’s so many letters that are printed with this aspect of Chabad Chassidus, that spell this out clearly – that no but whatever subtle taam that children – there we matter who the person is, and no Avrohom Fried has to add into [the should expect higher matter what kind of views he may songs] for his tapes to have an appeal have, there is some contribution that to the outside world – that’s not for us. standards, purer he has to make. You see this with And true, it’s something that has to writers, for example, who thought the be worked on, but bachurim have to standards. Rebbe would completely shun them have this focus and realization. All because of their philosophies and/or those bachurim who did get this focus, lifestyles. Yet the Rebbe’s approach was this realization, found their lives always: You have a talent. Whatever infinitely richer because of it. what’s fitting for “p’nim” is something differences of opinion you may have that we can’t lose sight of. Beis Moshiach: How should our are unimportant, but whatever talents community at large view Matisyahu or Beis Moshiach: I have a quote from you have and whatever ko’ach you singers like him? Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, the mashpia in have, use them in your way and in Kfar Chabad, that links the success of Rabbi Akiva Wagner: I think the your field to do good and to spread Matisyahu to the imminence of way we should see him is as a good in whatever way it is. Redemption, of Geula. Do you see any Lubavitcher Chassid who’s using his We have to remember, though, that similarity? G-d-given talents to do good things, as just because someone is using his skills long as he’s following the directives of Rabbi Akiva Wagner: Well, again, in a positive way and accomplishing his mashpia or Chassidishe rav. The I’m not a student of Matisyahu songs. I good things with them, doesn’t Gemara says, “‘kabed es Hashem never gave much time to the study of necessarily sanction it for our homes, m’honcha’ – al tikra m’honcha ella Matisyahu–– our children, and ourselves.
Issue Number 554 - BEIS MOSHIACH 19