Elkana Marciano: Music, Faith, and the Sparks That Shape a Life

Elkana Marciano is a singer and songwriter who lives in Givat Shmuel.

A Spark of Nostalgia

“I was born into a Haredi family. We’re eight siblings — an eldest daughter followed by seven boys. Everyone in our house sings. A Shabbat meal in our home feels like a live performance.

“From a young age, I went with my father to synagogue — a Moroccan synagogue, of course. My brother was the regular cantor there, and when I grew older I learned to read from the Torah. I really love it.

“My parents became religious later in life. My mother always had a strong connection to Judaism, and my father returned to observance after a bet with a friend — he said that if the soccer team he supported won, he would return to religion. They went through a long process, and for many years now my mother herself has been bringing women closer to Judaism. Many women, for example, decided to start covering their hair because of her.”

A Spark of Roots

“Recently, I lost both of my grandmothers. It was very difficult. They passed away within a year of each other. My paternal grandmother was ill for several years and eventually passed away. We barely had time to recover from that when, six months later, my uncle — her eldest son, went to sleep and never woke up. Half a year after that, my maternal grandmother passed away.

“I was especially close to her. She was a truly righteous woman, and I learned so much from her. For every small thing you did for her, she would always bless you and thank you. Her home was always open. A woman without ego or pride.

“Most of the time we’re running after life, and when you encounter that kind of simplicity and truth, it really inspires you.

“I miss my grandmother very much. There aren’t people like that anymore in our generation. I will always miss her. She loved hearing me sing, so I sang for her a lot. Throughout the years I made sure to visit her several times a week. When I released new songs and couldn’t come, they would send me videos of her listening to the song for the first time and getting emotional.

“I often miss my childhood years, when we were all together. I miss the food, the atmosphere, and the music from back then that played at my grandparents’ home.”

A Spark of Judaism

“I grew up and was educated on the foundations of Judaism. From a young age, I studied in religious schools. I’m someone who feels very connected to the Creator. I keep Shabbat, put on tefillin, and study Torah — mainly with my brother-in-law, who is a righteous kollel scholar.

“My connection to Judaism came naturally. I believe that every musician must have a wide and open heart. And when you open your heart to creation, you connect to something greater than yourself — that’s the Creator. I feel very connected to Him, speak to Him often, and that gives me a lot of confidence and hope.”

A Spark of Action

“At age 14, I stopped studying and started working in construction. We’re a large family, and I wanted to help my parents financially. Beyond that, I also wanted to be independent and support myself. Part of the money I kept, and part I gave to my parents.

“Construction work actually helped me with music because the acoustics were good, and that’s where I developed my voice. Many times, when I started singing, I noticed the Arab workers stopping their work and watching me sing. When I finished, they applauded.

“I believed in myself that I would go far, and thank God, it happened.

“I’ve loved singing from a young age. It may sound cliché, but I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I always had a high, powerful voice and felt strength in my throat. I started performing at age 16, mainly at parties and family events.

“At one performance, a certain PR person noticed me and said he was going to sign me up for The Voice. I told him I was a neighborhood kid and didn’t know how I’d fit in there. He didn’t listen, signed me up anyway, and after pushing me again and again, I eventually went.

“I was sure I wouldn’t even pass the first audition, so it was relatively easy for me to go.

“I got to the competition, passed stage after stage, and suddenly realized that half the show was already behind me. At that point, I made a deal with God and told Him that if He let me win, I would sanctify His name and accept the yoke of Heaven on stage at the finale. Millions of people were watching.

“Thank God, I won the final and kept my promise. I shouted ‘Shema Yisrael’ immediately after winning. It wasn’t simple — every second there is calculated, but I didn’t give it up. There aren’t many things more important than sanctifying God’s name.

“After the show, I was signed for three years with Sarit Hadad and Avi Guetta. A few years ago we parted ways, I now work with a different manager, and we’re releasing songs together. I was the first artist to sing a duet with an artist from the United Arab Emirates after the peace agreements, and also the first artist to perform there.

“In the music world, you’re constantly learning new things, and I hope to keep growing more and more. Until now, I haven’t really written or composed much other than small pieces from time to time, but I know I can write and compose well, and I believe it will happen. I also really want to learn how to play instruments.”

A Spark of Inspiration

“The Chofetz Chaim, who taught us how important guarding one’s speech is. I believe it’s better to talk less and do more — to work hard for what you believe in and aspire to.”

A Spark of Learning

“I really love studying Torah, especially Talmud and Chovot HaLevavot. Talmud sharpens my mind, and Chovot HaLevavot opens my heart.

“When you study, you’re reminded that what truly matters is the spiritual, not the material. Learning Talmud isn’t easy for me — sometimes it’s very hard, but that’s how I connect to God, and I enjoy it immensely. Nothing compares to it. I leave my chavruta sessions filled with light.”

A Spark of Connection

“Music has a great place in the Torah, and the singing of the Levites was on an elevated level. When I meditate and speak with the Creator, sparks of light come out of my soul — and it’s the same with music. The feeling is very similar.

“When I sing and bring joy and emotion to people, it’s a feeling that can’t be described. I feel something similar when I study Torah. I turn off my phone and leave the learning filled with light I can’t explain.

“Beyond all this, I really try to connect my music to holiness. Everyone needs to thank God for what they were given and make good use of their gifts. Thank God, many people know and love me, so I try to share words of Torah and strengthen others by speaking words of faith.

“I know that many times people listen to what I say because I’m a singer. And in general, there isn’t a single performance I end without a song to the Creator such as ‘We are believers, children of believers’. When the crowd roars these songs, it’s powerful.

“My connection to God gives me great confidence. After The Voice, if a performance we wanted didn’t close, I would be really disappointed. Over the years I’ve learned that what’s meant for me is mine, and that God doesn’t stop taking care of me for a single moment. Everything is from Him, and everything is for the good.”

A Spark of a Mitzvah

“There are many mitzvot I love. One of them is bringing joy to a bride and groom. I’m happy and grateful to God for the merit I’ve been given in that.

“In addition, I keep Shabbat and put on tefillin. I don’t touch anything in the morning before washing my hands and saying Mizmor LeTodah. At night, before going to sleep, saying Shema Yisrael in bed is a must for me — it closes the circle of the day and helps me sleep better. If I forget, I often wake up many times during the night.”

A Spark of Shabbat

“I’m in love with Shabbat. It’s the reset button of my life. No phones, no social media, no daily pressure — just rest, family, and a Shabbat atmosphere.

“All week I’m running after life, and Shabbat is the pause. Thank God, in our family everyone keeps Shabbat, and it’s a delight.

“My fiancée didn’t keep Shabbat before we met, and since we’ve been together she’s begun keeping it. I don’t perform on Shabbat for any amount of money in the world, and I’ve had tests in this area.

“When I performed in Dubai, one of the local sheikhs offered me a very large sum to perform — but the show was on Shabbat, so I refused. We didn’t know how he would react, but he actually respected it very much. He praised me and said ‘well done.’

“For me, it’s not even a question. Working on Shabbat is not an option.”

A Spark of Prayer

“My life motto is to always thank God, even for the smallest things that happen every day. There’s not a day I begin without prayer.

“If I don’t put on tefillin in the morning, my whole day feels off. In addition, I always pray before going on stage, asking that we bring joy to people and sanctify God’s name. At the end of every performance, the moment I step off the stage, I always thank God for what was.”