tbonesback Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 I like Matisyahu's sound and lyrics. I thought he was Jewish, many of the things he sings about seem to do with Christianity. Is he christian or jewish or does he just try to appeal to both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axingn'r Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 (edited) He's Jewish.Matisyahu was born Matthew Miller in West Chester, Pennsylvania on June 30, 1979, corresponding to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, California and eventually settled in White Plains, New York. Growing up, his 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, Matisyahu slid comfortably into the laid-back lifestyle of a teenage hippie. Having fallen in with the "Deadhead" 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, he 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 two years in the "wilderness," 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 The New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad." 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 Lubavitch 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, two years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, splitting his time between the stage and his yeshiva.Combining the sounds of Bob Marley and Shlomo Carlebach, 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.Written by Record Label Edited December 27, 2006 by Axingn'r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sandman Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 He's 100% Jewish.Bearing in mind that Judaism is mostly based on the Old Testament, which also slots in nicely to the Christian Bible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildrose Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Hindu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luciusfunk Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Hindu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ready2CrashandBurn Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 I do believe he is a Muslim. lol Truly he was a roadie for the dead who turned crazy jewish. its true look it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axlslash Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Matisyahu is very much a chareidi Jew. His biblical references are all from the Tanach (a Hebrew acronym for Torah, Nevi'im, Ktuvim - Torah/"Old Testament," Prophets, and Writings), all of which are sources studied by the Jews dating back to the days just around the time of Jesus if not earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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