Matisyahu ("Gift of God"), Hebrew stagename for Matthew Paul Miller ⋆ 30 Ju… Read Full Bio ↴Matisyahu ("Gift of God"), Hebrew stagename for Matthew Paul Miller ⋆ 30 June 1979 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is a spiritually minded American-Jewish singer, beatboxer, singjay and songwriter. He grew up in White Plains, New York. His music is an interplay between reggae, rock, hip-hop, and reggae fusion. His debute studioalbum Shake Off the Dust... Arise was released 2004 and his latest, Akeda 2014. Well-known songs are King Without A Crown, One Day and Happy Hanukkah. He sings mostly in English, more rarely in Hebrew and Yiddish. He had an Hasidic appearance until 2011.
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/
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/
Vow Of Silence
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Adam ate the apple, Eve talked to the snake
Sara died while her son was on a stake
Rivka taught Jacob how to manipulate
Take what you want, destiny can change
Brothers get jealous, hearts filled with hate
Josef makes dreams with his finger on their fate
David wants a flower and a flower he takes
Sending men to their death - is it ever too late?
Simon, Reuven and Levi, they can't control their rage
They kill everybody after Dina gets raped
Nobody's perfect, hope you can relate
Avraham take a stand, how could you send them away?
Yevorechecho Adonai Veishmerecho
Yoair Adonai Ponov Elecho Vyichuneko
Isso Adonai Ponov Elecho Veyosaim Lecho Shalom
Shalom
Shalom
Yevorechecho
Moshe hit the rock, teach me to talk
Watch the way they laugh, look at how they gawk
Don't let em get ya down, circle high like a hawk
I know you're on your hunt like a mountain lion stalk
Trading money for seeds, give 'em what you got
Wrestling with the giants, Jake and the beanstalk
Invest in the heavens, I know you want a lot
Potholes, fishing lines, you keep getting caught
When the pressure's all around you and ya keep cavin' in
I know you wanna conquer, want to be a champion
I know you hate to lose, you only want to win
But that's not how it goes in this world we're livin' in
Can't stop their goals, this is sink or swim
Trust your instincts, gotta trust your vision
Jump into the water, move quick with your fins
We been through so much now, I can't give in
Yevorechecho Adonai Veishmerecho
Yoair Adonai Ponov Elecho Vyichuneko
Isso Adonai Ponov Elecho Veyosaim Lecho Shalom
Shalom
Shalom
I know it doesn't matter
What I say to you
You gotta be who you are
Ain't that the truth
I love the way you sparkle
Representing for the Jews
Shalom my son
Peace unto you
With your kippah and your tzitzit
My little man lookin' so neat
Swingin' for the hills
They can't knock you off your feet
Ice cold like the snow or the hail or some sleet, I repeat
Slip through there fingers
Stay away from these creeps
You're a fighter, you're a lighter
Little brother gettin' tougher
They won't touch ya, they can't cut ya
You're a ninja slayin' dragons
Nunchucks and throwing stars
Smoke bombs and race cars
My little guy livin' large
Showin' them who's in charge
I know it's tough, I know it's hard
Tryin' to prove yourself
Can't be an easy job
Moshe hit the rock
You gotta learn how to talk
You wanna make it in the promise land
Stand inside the chalk
Talk to the water
Talk to the sheep
Talk to the grass
And the dirt beneath
Let yourself cry
Let yourself weep
But fend for yourself
When ya out on the street
Stand tall, be big
Or the lions will eat
The wolves will feed
To them you're just meat
They wanna sink their teeth
And drink ya blood so sweet
You're a prince, don't you know
My number one Scorpio
So grab your sword and your shield
Grab your arrows and your bow
It's time
Where can we go
To find some place
Where we won't need to blow
Show 'em what you know
Show the children what you know
Shalom, shalom
Show the children what you know
Show 'em all what you know
Shalom, shalom
How to shoot sparks
That sparkle in the rain
Light flames
To you it's all the same
Sara died while her son was on a stake
Rivka taught Jacob how to manipulate
Take what you want, destiny can change
Brothers get jealous, hearts filled with hate
Josef makes dreams with his finger on their fate
David wants a flower and a flower he takes
Sending men to their death - is it ever too late?
They kill everybody after Dina gets raped
Nobody's perfect, hope you can relate
Avraham take a stand, how could you send them away?
Yevorechecho Adonai Veishmerecho
Yoair Adonai Ponov Elecho Vyichuneko
Isso Adonai Ponov Elecho Veyosaim Lecho Shalom
Shalom
Shalom
Yevorechecho
Moshe hit the rock, teach me to talk
Watch the way they laugh, look at how they gawk
Don't let em get ya down, circle high like a hawk
I know you're on your hunt like a mountain lion stalk
Trading money for seeds, give 'em what you got
Wrestling with the giants, Jake and the beanstalk
Invest in the heavens, I know you want a lot
Potholes, fishing lines, you keep getting caught
When the pressure's all around you and ya keep cavin' in
I know you wanna conquer, want to be a champion
I know you hate to lose, you only want to win
But that's not how it goes in this world we're livin' in
Can't stop their goals, this is sink or swim
Trust your instincts, gotta trust your vision
Jump into the water, move quick with your fins
We been through so much now, I can't give in
Yevorechecho Adonai Veishmerecho
Yoair Adonai Ponov Elecho Vyichuneko
Isso Adonai Ponov Elecho Veyosaim Lecho Shalom
Shalom
Shalom
I know it doesn't matter
What I say to you
You gotta be who you are
Ain't that the truth
I love the way you sparkle
Representing for the Jews
Shalom my son
Peace unto you
With your kippah and your tzitzit
My little man lookin' so neat
Swingin' for the hills
They can't knock you off your feet
Ice cold like the snow or the hail or some sleet, I repeat
Slip through there fingers
Stay away from these creeps
You're a fighter, you're a lighter
Little brother gettin' tougher
They won't touch ya, they can't cut ya
You're a ninja slayin' dragons
Nunchucks and throwing stars
Smoke bombs and race cars
My little guy livin' large
Showin' them who's in charge
I know it's tough, I know it's hard
Tryin' to prove yourself
Can't be an easy job
Moshe hit the rock
You gotta learn how to talk
You wanna make it in the promise land
Stand inside the chalk
Talk to the water
Talk to the sheep
Talk to the grass
And the dirt beneath
Let yourself cry
Let yourself weep
But fend for yourself
When ya out on the street
Stand tall, be big
Or the lions will eat
The wolves will feed
To them you're just meat
They wanna sink their teeth
And drink ya blood so sweet
You're a prince, don't you know
My number one Scorpio
So grab your sword and your shield
Grab your arrows and your bow
It's time
Where can we go
To find some place
Where we won't need to blow
Show 'em what you know
Show the children what you know
Shalom, shalom
Show the children what you know
Show 'em all what you know
Shalom, shalom
How to shoot sparks
That sparkle in the rain
Light flames
To you it's all the same
The song "Vow Of Silence" by Matisyahu alludes to various Bible stories, starting with Adam and Eve and ending with Moses. The song discusses the human tendency to make mistakes and be sinful, as shown by Eve's conversation with the snake, Sara's death, and the brothers' jealousy that led them to hate one another. In contrast to this kind of negative behavior, the song also talks about positive actions, such as Avraham taking a stand, which emphasizes that people can change their destiny by choosing what they want in life. The song also emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself, fighting for what is right, and not giving up, even when things are tough.
The song contains repeated mentions of the Hebrew phrase "Yevorechecho Adonai Veishmerecho," which translates to "May the Lord bless you and guard you," a reference to the Priestly Blessing from the Torah. This phrase is used as a reminder of the importance of faith and seeking divine guidance throughout life's challenges. The song also references different Biblical characters, such as Joseph and David, who use their wit and skills to change their fate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID HOLMES, JOSEPH ANTHONY TOMINO, MATTHEW MILLER, STEWART LESLIE BROOKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@MrDfmstr
I cry when Matis blesses his son Shalom at the end off this song everytime. I've shared this song with a few of my friends and they all have had the same response as I did...this for me sums up how I see my seven year old son, Seth. And now every time we hear this song we call it, "Seth's song."
"Let yourself cry
Let yourself weep"
Sigh. For a father to give his son permission to cry and to weep. Wow. Who says that?! Allowing myself to cry or weep is still something that I have to allow myself to do as an adult. These words are precious and life changing. Love this song.
@Patricia-kg8ve
Yeah agree with you . Well said
@davidroynewby
Deanna- Adonai gave us the full range of emotions including deep sadness; May He bless you, Seth, and your whole family with the freedom and grace to express yourselves fully... including to weep when sad. Shalom!
@floweroflight6533
P00
@michaelbailey2975
Wow raw song loving it , cant get enough of this one so sick Matisyahu "Talk to the water talk to the sheep talk to the grass and the dirt beneath" SHALOM
@katielee7057
This has been my top album since it’s come out. God bless you Matis!
@musicvideosish
Beautiful words to son. So touching. I can see him at 16 singing along in his car, telling his gal; "this is My song" thank you for sharing Matisyahu <3
@Patricia-kg8ve
Beautiful song !! Love it so much . I'm almost crying this is too beautiful . So much passion from a father to his son :) we need more music like this !!!! Who agrees ?
@tarafigueroaimwhoidosayiam609
🤚I agree
@nicolemitrovic3986
You have no idea how refreshing this is to hear from someone ...