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Teshuva

Matisyahu: Teshuva in the Spotlight

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SUMMARY

This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar, and this episode is sponsored by dailygiving.org.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to musician Matisyahu Miller—known as “Matisyahu”—who has publicly re-embraced his Judaism and Zionism since October 7.

Matisyahu’s public persona has long been subject to scrutiny and analysis. Comparatively few people, though, have listened to his story in depth. In this episode we discuss:

  • How has the public expression of Matisyahu’s Jewish identity ebbed and flowed throughout his life?
  • Is there anything Matisyahu would change about the Orthodox community?
  • How has the inwardness of Matisyahu’s Jewish identity guided him throughout his life?
Tune in to hear a conversation about what it means to be, in Matisyahu’s words, “a pnimius Yid.”

Grammy-nominated artist Matisyahu is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and alternative rock musician. He’s known for his skill in blending reggae and hip hop as he provides a raw expression of his spirituality. His long and winding career consists of seven albums including chart-topping Light, Youth, Spark Seeker, Akeda, and Undercurrent with hits such as “One Day”, “Sunshine”, and “King Without A Crown”. Through his lyrics, Matisyahu develops a personal, artistic, and sophisticated way to express the yearning for deep spiritual meaning, and as his own beliefs opened up to find more variety and depth, the desire for his performances to match the unpredictable flow of life developed as well.

References:The Office Light by MatisyahuAkeda by Matisyahu

Holy Brother: Inspiring Stories and Enchanted Tales about Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach by Yitta Halberstam Mandelbaum

The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Politics Of Experience by R.D. Laing

“Spiritual Schadenfreude: The Case of Matisyahu’s Beard” by David Bashevkin

Transcripts are lightly edited—please excuse any imperfections.

David Bashevkin: Hi, friends. Just another quick word from our episode sponsors for our series from our friends at dailygiving.org. What more can God want than for all of us to give charity, tzedakah, every day to our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate? Join over 19,000 people who are already giving one dollar every day together. That’s over seven million dollars a year.

A hundred percent of your dollar goes to a diversified portfolio of over 75 incredible organizations. Join dailygiving.org for just a dollar a day. Join in with Jews throughout the world and help our brothers and sisters who are a little less fortunate. Find out more and sign up now at dailygiving.org.

Hi, friends, and welcome to the 18Forty Podcast, where each month we explore a different topic balancing modern sensibilities with traditional sensitivities to give you new approaches to timeless Jewish ideas. I’m your host, David Bashevkin, and this month, we’re continuing our exploration of Teshuva. Thank you so much to our series sponsors, once again, to Daniel and Mira Stokar. I am so grateful for your friendship, support, and kindness over all these years.

This podcast is part of a larger exploration of those big, juicy Jewish ideas, so be sure to check out 18Forty.org. That’s 1-8-F-O-R-T-Y.org, where you can also find videos, articles, recommended readings, and weekly emails. 

Thank you so much for listening, and stay curious, my friends.