Matisyahu

[Eliezer Ben Avraham]

I haven't listened to much of his music, but do people think he is good for Jewry or not?

[MassuhDGoodName]

Re:  "...Chaim doesn't like him because he copies off of schvartza music..."

I tend to share this view...his "act" seems to be more like a freak show than a serious presentation.  As a person he may be the most likeable personality in the world, but in my opinion reggae is best done by its originators, the Jamaicans.

[Eliezer Ben Avraham]

Re:  "...Chaim doesn't like him because he copies off of schvartza music..."

I tend to share this view...his "act" seems to be more like a freak show than a serious presentation.  As a person he may be the most likeable personality in the world, but in my opinion reggae is best done by its originators, the Jamaicans.

He is still an Orthodox Jew though.... I assume Hadag Nahash would fall under the same category?

[OdKahaneChai]

I don't agree with Chaim as far as Matisyahu, I think his music is more Jewish than anything else, and I actually like it a lot.

And why would Hadag Nachash fall under the same category as Matisyahu?  They are certainly not religious...

[RationalThought110]

I don't agree with Chaim as far as Matisyahu, I think his music is more Jewish than anything else, and I actually like it a lot.

And why would Hadag Nachash fall under the same category as Matisyahu?  They are certainly not religious...

Explain more why you disagree with Chaim and MassuhDGoodName.  They are both very intelligent so expand your argument. 

[OdKahaneChai]

I don't agree with Chaim as far as Matisyahu, I think his music is more Jewish than anything else, and I actually like it a lot.

And why would Hadag Nachash fall under the same category as Matisyahu?  They are certainly not religious...

Explain more why you disagree with Chaim and MassuhDGoodName.  They are both very intelligent so expand your argument. 

Like I said, I think his music is more Jewish than anything else - it sounds nothing like anything you'd hear from any Reggae group.

[MassuhDGoodName]

The old saying holds truth:

There is no accounting for taste!

Matisyahu expresses himself artistically as he chooses; some approve, and some disapprove.

His act may serve as the catalyst whereby some young non-observant young Jews see and hear his "reggae" and begin to rediscover their heritage.

In a free enterprise country, we generally vote with our dollars on whether or not we support the work of artists and entertainers.

[TANGO1]

he is heard world wide ............other people lisen to him
you can t lock the rest of the world out...........
he is our ambassador............i have sent many of his cd to people that have never seen a jew.........

[Eliezer Ben Avraham]

he is heard world wide ............other people lisen to him
you can t lock the rest of the world out...........
he is our ambassador............i have sent many of his cd to people that have never seen a jew.........

but is he accurately portraying Judaism and Jewish culture or just manipulating it for his own pursuit?

[jdl4ever]

I like Matisyahu.  He shows a lot of Jewish pride.

[JTFFan]

I like Matisyahu.  He shows a lot of Jewish pride.

Yes, he's very patriotic and righteous

[Judeophile]

Please remember that Matisyahu is reaching many many people who would not normally be exposed to the messages of Judaism that he puts out there.  His song Jerusalem is a song that no artist would do today in the popular culture--they only sing of womanising and money.  I played some of it for a Christian woman I know, and she immediately embraced it as did her children.  He is full of Biblical references, and if he reaches people with the message of Zionism who would certainly not get it from any other mainstream artist on the radio, then his musical style should be secondary to the deeply religious emotions and imagery of his lyrics.  He sells a lot of records and has been nominated for a grammy award. 

Surely he is better for the young people than gangster rap!

[qwerty]

I've seen matisyahu before, technically his music is praise to G-d, so more power to him.

[judeanoncapta]

My brother is friends with Matisyahu.

They went to Yeshiva together. Matisyahu is a good Jew.

[OdKahaneChai]

My brother is friends with Matisyahu.

They went to Yeshiva together. Matisyahu is a good Jew.

Really?  At 770?