After many emails from loads of people including Chaim Rubin- (just scroll down to find his many articles) who has written extensively on the issue I have decided to come clean with my thoughts on the recent banning of a huge Lipa Shmeltzer concert in Madison Square Garden. First of all many of you may have no idea who Lipa Shmeltzer is, he is a Chassidic-Jewish music performer, apparently he is good, thats probably why they banned him, because as many of you know- in order to be classified as “frum Jewish music” the music has got to sound like klezmer combined with disco beats. I personally like the Klezmatics, Matisyahu, NOFX, Disturbed, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, MBD, Dance with Negina, and Avraham Fried- but thats about all I indulge into Jewish music. Wait bluegrass famed David Grisman and Andy Statman are also Jewish aren’t they?
I know you are all expecting me to bash the Charedi way of life, but I have reformed myself, I would like to be a little mature. First of all, what goes on in the Jewish music world does not affect me because I just cant find some good frummy ska bands or jazz artists- it just does not exist. With that said- I am also very far removed from the charedi community- so why should I care what goes on there?
Well Mr. Frum Satire, don’t you care about your fellow Jews?
I admit it, I do care. It kind of bugs me that these folks who banned this concert didn’t work in a democratic form. I mean did they consult the concert promoters, make a big old meeting similar to a court marshall and ask for the opinions of the people? Or were the bribed in back of beis medrishes in Brooklyn with free jars of creamed herring and vanilla rugalechs?
On the other hand, this very well may be a big issue. They claim we are starting to dance and be influenced by the goyim and this is bad. Last time I checked people weren’t jumping over the mechitzas into the fam,ily seating at a Lipa concert and grinding on each other, or doing the Lambada. I have never seen non-Jews holding hands dancing the Hora, unless they were high on gooballs at a Govt Mule show. The only time you see the line dance is when they play the electric slide at modern orthodox bar mitzvahs. So what gives? What do the rabbis mean by dancing like the goyim?
Even the NY Times is getting in on the issue. From a more intellectual and liberally biased point of view as always. The best articles and comments can be found on yeshiva world news, which is always interesting because many of the comments give me reason to believe that many Charedim would end up similar to those in Waco Texas should their leaders give the word to drink the koolaid- or Prigat shall we say.
Ok so for the flipside, the devils advocate as you say. I will say that first of all, taking non-Jewish songs and making Jewish songs out of them is evil. You butcher the song and make those listening to it want to find out what it really sounded like. It is also secular influence that is inherently bad according to many folks- no comment here. I also feel that if they want to ban these things its fine- but if you check out that yeshiva world link there are folks who want the Rabbis to do a sweeping ban of all concerts. Whats next? Jewish art? Guns, beards. What about sushi- the prices are ridiculous and it is definitely a sexual food- oh and bananas- don’t get me started.
Ok last but not least you all should check out my other posts on similar bannings.
Why they banned Shweky and MBD
My super long list of future Charedi Chumros and Bans
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So you’re saying the following is evil?:
Lev Tahor 2
MBD
Yossi Piamenta
The Chevra
Shlock Rock
Gershon Veroba
They’re evil for a different reason in that they cause aural pollution and rape to the ear drums. I don’t know how Lipa concerts would differ from any other type of jewish concert, but why would anyone go to that if you could just see Megadeth and Children of Bodom this chol hamoed Pesach on Gigantour? It’s cheaper and you get to really mosh which helps bring out the fulfillment of the positive commandment of “Visamachta Bichagecha” and that is how I get happy. Screw Lipa.
Pretty funny how you included Disturbed in the Jewish music genre. Although, the lead singer is formerly frum, and he does have some Hebrew in his songs…
Re: “They’re evil for a different reason in that they cause aural pollution and rape to the ear drums.” – HAHAHAHAAAHAAAHA!
Maddox: I just choked on my lunch.
I’m glad I’m providing someone with entertainment while I endure this week in hell in Borough Hall. Least I can do in exchange for receiving entertainment here as well. Yeah Sarah, they use the words “Elokai” and “Mefached” in 2 different songs. Reb Dovid Draiman is something any yeshiva bachur can become. I saw him on many yeshiva dorm walls.
dont forget diaspora
Oh and if anybody hasn’t seen the pictures from a few years ago on onlysimchas of David Draiman and his nice kippa and suit at his brothers wedding, you’re missing out. Type Draiman in the search field.
am i seriously the only one who does not get the lipa appeal?
The pictures of him on only simchas are great. So I guess you guess like the post, I tried to keep it sane- as it may be a good thing if they ban Jewish music and force us all to listen to “real” original music. Oh no what are we to do.
ha, i thought i was the only one who considered Disturbed to be jewish. in one of his songs he sings a passuk in english….
but lipa shmelzer always intrigued me. remember the hasc concert when he prerecorded that six flags takeoff and “abi mileibt”? so i always wondered why he couldn’t sing at mixed seating concerts but he was able to sing to music from six flags commercials and the lion king
Like most modern orthodox Jews I get my Jewish music fix at weddings, its enough to last a few months- so I have no idea what you are talking about.
“They’re evil for a different reason in that they cause aural pollution and rape to the ear drums.” ….Maddox…nice. That is definitely going in the great quotes to reuse mental folder
So i was reading all this interesting music info. and truth be told i am so out of the loop of what is going on. Anyways i noticed this has become a Jewish versus secular music debate and i want to make a top 5 reasons why Jewish music is the bestest in the whole widest worl!( i wish i could make a top 10 but only could think of 5)
1. Jewish music is the only music in the whole wide world that is still made on tape. Now thats Old Skool For Sure!
2. Jewish music is one of the only music genres that makes all kid bands for adult listening. Thats just wellllll…..ummmm
3. Where else can you listen to a lovely young man sing his heart out with a techno background and a computerized 4yr olds doing backup, and on some tapes those 4yr olds have ear piercing solos. Rock on Alvin!
4. No one else carries on the ever so adorable matching vest outfit like OUR boy bands. Now i know your thinking whatever that went out in the 90’s with “Boys to Men” but no the Yids will never let it go.
5. Last but not least many many Yiddish music is just good ol goyish music done over. So i don’t know what the huge problem here is. Most frum yidden dont realize when they are humming a Beatles tune with a Jewish twist. So i wonder if these Rabbonim are sooooooo frum how did they know Lipa was singng Goyish music in the first place?
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because there is no reason a Chasid can’t be crafty
This may sound weird but when I feel sick and I listen to secular music it makes me feel worse. But when I listen to Jewish music it relieves the pain a bit.
But besides for that I’m not really sure what my take on all this is. I would say the only problem with certain secular music would be the language in it. If they were about clean topics and normal then I wouldn’t see a problem with it.
nah i still say jewish music is horrible. the only jewish music i’ll listen to and enjoy is musicians who’ve “tainted their holy souls by listening to secular music’”
Well, if you want to get right down to it… What about the Viking influence in the development of Slavic society preceding the growth of Jewish settlements way way back? Is Slavic or Viking music the true basis of whatever the rabbis think is “authentic Jewish music” whatever that is?
I only ask because growing up partly Polish (which is like growing up partly New Englander but with cabbage instead of maple syrup) I know the non-Jewish side of that became… polkas.
(This is me shuddering over the memory of 78s and reel to reel players and vacuum tube stereos playing accordion music… allllllll weekend… Please grandpa, no, I’ll mow the lawn with scissors in pouring rain. No, you go to the club with grandma and have fun. That’s what polka was. S&M for the prim and proper.)
theres nothing like secular music
specially elliot smith but cmon all jewish music is horrible?
ok maybe i was being a bit drastic, but the good ones are few and far in between
Heh, at one point in time I decided I would demand that NOFX play at my wedding. I mean, they’re Jewish! Surely the rabbis would approve! (I even had ideas of how I would tempt them without the offer of millions of dollars.)
Hey Leah I never called- sorry for that, I wasn’t in the mood- I went hiking and riding instead.
Anyway, how about the Yidcore- hardcore/punk rockers from Australia. I saw them at a Jews for Jesus punk bar in Jerusalem- very cool. They even did the Moshiach song
Spoofing secular songs to Jewish themes can cause lightheadedness, “Haleluyah It’s Raining Manna” is a threat to frumkeit.
No worries. I would’ve had to get up before noon, after being awaken at 6:30.
I’ve never heard of Yidcore, but that may be a better idea. They could at least sorta play the right songs. And look, they are in Israel a month after I’m there.
I’d like to comment but they arent going through.
—maddox
Lipa should do a Rabbi only concert. But before we allow any of them in we must have a beard measurement at the door. Only Rabbis with beards a tefach long will be allowed in. And to ensure that there is no kalas rosh only the Aycha niggun will be played.
Yo the aycha is ma niggun- shoot mat wut you just call me. It would never work Niggun sounds too racist!
Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel are Jewish music? They are Jews, yeah, but their music is totally secular.
I too don’t really care about the whole Shmeltzer fiasco other than to note that we are banning ourselves into nothingness. One of these days we are going to implode into a puff of smoke. Religion is a great place to stash your neuroses and call it “frumkeit.” No simcha for you, ya shaygetz! Joy…it’s downright goyish!
I am so out of touch with the side of the Jewish world that bans music for its “goyish influence,” which is part of the reason that I don’t really care. Chaptzem posted on how they now want to ban “Mishe, Mishe, Mishenichnas Adar…” because the tune was stolen from “Pick a Bale of Cotton.” Uh, no kidding. 95% of Jewish music is derivative.
Geez Louise. We’ve gotten way too wacky.
-WG
I would say I am also out of touch, except that since I moved to Monsey I live close the “them” I never speak to them or interact- save for when the cashier slams my change on the counter for fear of an illicit touch of the hand.
I was joking about Simon and Garfunkel- I was just saying that that is about the closest I come to Jewish music.
I do have some Avraham Fried and MBD on my Ipod though.
Sorry,…I missed your tone of voice on the Dylan and S&G thing. Yeah, I have some Dveykus on my Ipod too.
Heshman, post your banning tshirt slogan here. I know you are going to have some beauties.
-WG
Sorry,…I missed your tone of voice on the Dylan and S&G thing. Yeah, I have some Dveykus on my Ipod too.
Heshman, post your banning tshirt slogan here: http://derechtaken.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-new-idea-for-long-sleeved-high.html
I know you are going to come up with some beauties.
-WG
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Where are you from? Is it a secret?