Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for being an orthodox Jew and writing a number of songs based on his faith and beliefs. Since 2004, he has released four studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie. The Tel Aviv'n Songfacts states several tracks of his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard as well as being named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.
Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA on June 30th 1979, corresponding to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, CA and eventually settled in White Plains, NY. Growing up, Matisyahu's parents sent him to Hebrew School a couple of times a week, but like many kids, he resisted the additional school hours and was frequently threatened with expulsion for disrupting the lessons.
By the age of 14, Matthew Miller slid comfortably into the laid-back lifestyle of a teenage hippie. Having fallen in with the "Dead-Head" crowd, he grew dreadlocks and wore his Birkenstocks all winter long. He played his bongos in the lunchroom and learned how to beat-box in the back of class. By 11th grade, despite his carefree days, Matisyahu couldn't ignore the void in his life. After nearly burning down his chemistry class, he knew his mission must begin immediately. He decided to set off on a camping trip in Colorado. Away from his suburban life in White Plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to take an introspective look at himself and contemplate his environment. It was there in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Rocky Mountains, that Matisyahu had an eye-opening realization: there is a God.
After Colorado, his spiritual curiosity piqued and Matisyahu took his first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to the God he discovered in Colorado. Israel was a major turning point. Matisyahu relished the time he spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. In every nook he encountered, his dormant Jewish identity stirred into consciousness.
Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Once back in White Plains, Matisyahu didn't know how to maintain his new connection with Judaism. Feeling dejected, he fatefully dropped out of high school and began following Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu thought seriously about his life, his music, and his thirst for Judaism.
After a few months, burnt out and broke, he returned home. By this time his parents insisted that Matisyahu go and "straighten" himself out at a wilderness school in Bend, Oregon. The school encouraged artistic pursuits and Matisyahu took advantage of this time to delve further into his music. He studied up on reggae and hip-hop. He attended a weekly open-mic where he rapped, sang, beat-boxed, and did almost anything he could to stay creatively charged. It was then that he started to develop the unique reggae-hip hop sound for which he would one day become known.
After 2 years in the "sticks," the 19-year old Matisyahu returned to New York a changed man. He moved to the city to attend The New School where he continued honing his musical craft, and also dabbled in the theater. During this time, he happened on the Carlebach Shul, a synagogue on the Upper West Side, well known for its hippie-friendly vibe and exuberant singing. This encounter further fueled his soul-fire, turning him on to the mystical power of song in Hasidic Judaism. Now, instead of beat boxing in the back of the classroom, he was leaving the classroom to pray on the school's roof. (Religious or not, this guy ain't made for the classrooms.)
While studying at New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad" (One). The play was about a boy who meets a Hasidic rabbi in Washington Square Park and through him becomes religious. Shortly after the play's performance, Matisyahu's life strangely imitated his art. Indeed, years after the initial sparks were lit, Matisyahu met a Lubavitcher rabbi in the park, spurring his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu.
A person who was once skeptical of authority and rules, Matisyahu began to explore and eventually fully take on the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. He thrived on the discipline and structure of Judaism, making every attempt to abide by Jewish Law. The Chabad-Lubavitch philosophy proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It surrounded him with the spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been seeking for the past decade. The turmoil and frustration of his search subsided, and now, 2 years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, splitting his time between the stage and his yeshiva.
Drawing from the sounds of Bob Marley, Shlomo Carlebach, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu's performance is an uplifting, powerful experience for all in his presence. Even the most pessimistic in his audience is inspired by his ability to so honestly convey such a delicate topic as faith/spirituality. It is his dedication to his belief and openness to others that compels one to respect his artistry and message. It's in that fleeting moment when our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with his booming sound of faith.
http://www.matisyahuworld.com/
Bal Shem Tov
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know who you are, even when we face each other
When I wake up I know you're here this is everything you've done
I've got nothing to fear cause the battle's already been won.
This is the time of divine favor
Sublime love cuts like a razor
Burning up our fear and pain
This is the time of divine favor
Sublime love cuts like a razor
Burning up our fear and pain
Ascend in fire like a laser beam
Search heaven and the seven seas
The answer lies inside you
You know it won't come easy
You've got to find your own truth
When I returned to the lower garden
I saw many souls living and dead
Rushing back and forth one world to the next
The lyrics to Matisyahu's song Bal Shem Tov seem to allude to a spiritual awakening or a moment of revelation. The first stanza speaks to the idea that on the day of a man's birth, he is reborn into a new world of possibilities. He acknowledges that he does not know who he is, even when he is looking at another person. However, he finds comfort in the notion that he is not alone and that the battles he faces have already been won. The second stanza seems to describe a time of spiritual fulfillment or enlightenment. This is the "time of divine favor" - a time when love can cut through the pain and fear that plagues us all. This pain and fear can be overcome, and we can ascend to greater heights in our spiritual journey, "ascend in fire like a laser beam."
The third stanza speaks to the idea that we all have the answers we seek within ourselves. We must search heaven and the seven seas, but ultimately, the answer lies inside us. However, finding our own truth is not easy. We must confront the many souls living and dead, rushing back and forth from one world to the next. The fourth stanza repeats the same idea, perhaps as a reminder that the journey never truly ends.
Overall, Matisyahu's Bal Shem Tov seems to be a song about the importance of spiritual fulfillment and the journey towards it. The lyrics are reminiscent of many different spiritual practices, and could perhaps be interpreted as a call to seek out our own truths and embrace the journey towards enlightenment.
Line by Line Meaning
On a day when a man was born, up from one world to another
A man is born into a new world and begins a journey.
I don't know who you are, even when we face each other
The singer acknowledges the mysteries of personal identity and human relationships.
When I wake up I know you're here this is everything you've done
The singer feels a sense of closeness and gratitude for a higher power.
I've got nothing to fear cause the battle's already been won.
The artist trusts in the ultimate outcome of existence and the triumph of goodness over darkness.
This is the time of divine favor
The present moment is one of divine grace and opportunity.
Sublime love cuts like a razor
Love is a powerful force that can cut through obstacles and bring clarity.
Burning up our fear and pain
Emotions of fear and pain can be released and transformed.
Ascend in fire like a laser beam
A spirit of ascension and transformation is present, like a sharp and focused beam of light.
Search heaven and the seven seas
The search for meaning and truth is expansive and all-encompassing.
The answer lies inside you
The artist suggests that personal insight and understanding are vital to the journey of life.
You know it won't come easy
The pursuit of truth and self-discovery is a challenge.
You've got to find your own truth
Ultimately, each individual must find their own sense of meaning and purpose.
When I returned to the lower garden
The singer reflects on a journey that involves returning to a place of origin or starting point.
I saw many souls living and dead
The singer observes the diversity of human existence, encompassing both life and death.
Rushing back and forth one world to the next
People are in constant motion, moving between different states of being and experience.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Allan Peter Grigg, Matthew Miller, Shmuel Ephraim Rosenstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
טל ט
זה מאוד פשוט...
נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן...
כל מה שהבעל שם טוב הקדוש חיפש נמצא...
נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן...
מי שרוצה אמת... באמת...
נותנים לו מלאך של אמת...
נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן...
שיר חדש
פשוט כפול משולש מרובע
אנחנו כאן
Stuart Berman
2nd stanza [Chorus] This is the time of divine favor Sublime love cuts like a razor Burning up our fear and pain Ascend in fire like a laser beam Search heaven and the seven seas The answer lies inside you You know it won't come easy You've got to find your own truth
wiggie225
I just started listening to Matisyahu like 2 weeks ago and his music speaks to me so clearly it helps give those of us that are down a hope for the future... Thank you Matisyahu!
Brady Chance
What poetry he speaks in his music, just beautiful
cantratau
This is Great! It seems that Matis is succeeding at anything he's doing musically. That's true talent, and I'm with him all the way! No reason to listen to anyone else b/c he has music from every genre for me haha
anamarie8
"is the time of divine favour,sublime love cuts like a razor,burning up all fear and pain"
tylerlewis141996
"This is the time of divine favor, sublime love cuts like a razor"
Stuart Berman
3rd stanza When I returned to the lower garden I saw many souls living and dead Rushing back and forth Descending from one world to the next The joy was too great for ears to hear or for words to express All will be forgiven for stolen time and debts Ask me to come with them cause of the glory of Your contemplation
Stuart Berman
4th stanza You've been given eyes to see lookin' for a prophet to accompany me Alone I am so alone flying with my very own set of wings I reached the highest heights knockin' on the door of the King of Kings [Chorus] It's your life to live, I can't live it for you It's your time to give and I can't give it for you It's your fear to lose, I can't lose it for you Death or life so choose and I've put both before you So find your word of truth you've got to find your word of truth ...
TalonNO
This is one of my most favorite songs, I love <3 Its been so long since I've listened to this. I really hope someday a instrumental version can come out so I can sing it with my friends haha
Amadeus
This sounds amazing. I must learn more about this, I'd appreciate his songs so much more if I knew more about his faith. Thank you for your responses =)