עברית
Musical Notes and Jewish Soul: A Conversation with Aharon Razel
As Aharon Razel prepares for the launch of his new album "This Is Our Melody," he shares childhood memories and people he'd love to meet.
Aharon Razel (Photo: Liran Shemesh)A Childhood Memory That Stays With You? "I grew up in a family starting to embrace religious practice. I was about ten when I made up a little tune and then forgot it completely. It really distressed me. I couldn’t recall it no matter how hard I tried. Just as I was deep in thought, my father said, 'We're off to synagogue. Let’s go.' Of course, I went with him. As soon as we returned home, I remembered the tune. To this day, it’s preserved in my heart as the first melody I ever composed."
Is There a Jewish Aspect You Personally Connect With? "The Holocaust is a profound theme in our family. My grandparents hid with non-Jews on a farm in northern Holland, and there were many stories. My grandfather once jumped from a train window to escape, and they survived Nazi searches while hiding. They heard, from their hiding place, a Nazi asking the Dutch family's child if they were hiding Jews. They thought it was the end until the child responded, 'What are Jews?', and the Nazis moved on."
Who Is Your Jewish Inspirational Figure? "The Lubavitcher Rebbe. Naor Carmi, a gifted musician and deeply devoted Chabad follower, once told me that the mission's motto is self-sacrifice—not just in physical comfort but also spiritually. Traveling to remote areas to bring Jews closer to their heritage can impact personal family life, but, in most cases, Hashem ensures you don’t lose out."
What Does Judaism Mean to You? "What a question! Being a soldier of Hashem. Being a light unto nations and acknowledging that Hashem created the world for us and our engagement with His Torah, aiming to contribute to world repair."
What Drives You Strongly? "Since a very young age, my siblings and I have been playing music. Besides playing, I’ve always loved creating. It’s a strong and significant part of my life. I constantly envision creations that stem from my experiences. I express what I go through through songs, both in melody and words. During different periods in my life, I sang various songs. There was a time for 'The Redemption Has Come,' then 'Sing Us a Song of Zion.' During Israel's disengagement, I sang about connection, and recently I sang a lot of 'I’ve Set My Place in the Beit Midrash.' I also have a song titled 'Visiting the Sick.' My profession takes me to play for people in challenging health situations, and it’s amazing to see music’s impact on them. A few times, I’ve played for someone in serious condition, and later, thank God, I’ve been told they fully recovered."
Working on a New Album. What Can You Share About It? "This is a joyful but challenging time. Thank God, I’m also a father to a large family, a scholar, a singer, an arranger, and more. I need to juggle everything and, naturally, pray a lot for divine assistance. This time, unlike previous occasions, I decided to approach various top producers, allowing each to produce two or three songs. As a result, the album includes songs produced by young and promising Yoeli Dickman, Yuval Stupel—Abraham Fried's arranger, Gil Smetana—Ehud Banai's producer, and Maor Shoshan—producer for Ishay Ribo. It’s an album that blends holiness with modern sound—a fusion of different styles. After the success, thank God, of 'I’ve Set My Place,' I decided to continue the album, dedicating it to the world of Torah. It includes various songs on the topic, such as 'This Is Our Business,' whose lyrics are from an old book by an eminent Jerusalem scholar from the early 20th century, writing about Torah life: 'This is our business, engaging in Torah words.' I turned this line into a chorus for the album’s title track. Another moving song is set to the words of a letter written by my late aunt, Orna Sharabi Razel, to her young son, who is now a scholar, saying, 'I want you to be a Torah scroll.' That’s the song’s chorus."
How’s the Crowdfunding Project Going? "For me, it’s a very joyous thing. I’ve involved many people in its development and opened it to the public. It’s a delightful experience, as in our digital age, things spread quickly. Everyone is supportive, and there’s a sense that something beautiful is coming. Additionally, it sparks curiosity—how it turned out, what it is, and who’s involved. People visit the site, make purchases, and leave heartwarming messages. It also creates a unique connection with your audience. The previous crowdfunding effort led to interesting relationships. I composed songs, for instance, for people’s celebrations. I’ve met young musicians who came for music and composition lessons, and we’re still in touch today."
20 Years of Creation: Did You Expect It to Look Like This? What Surprised You? "Wow. Many things surprised me. I never thought I’d survive in this field for so long. It’s a profession with much uncertainty. You rely entirely on the inspiration Hashem sends you. In this line of work, humility and faith are crucial. Anyone who maintains pride in this field—will fall quickly, or they’ll survive but face a sort of personal chaos. There’s a lot of falsehood with fame, honor, and competition. But approaching these with faith changes everything. It’s not that these challenges don’t exist, but you have tools to handle them, or at least attempt to."
Your Favorite Holiday? "First and foremost, Purim. I deeply connect with the joy of Purim—a joy that transcends limits, logic, and understanding. I love making people happy. Moreover, it’s significant to defeat the wicked and venomous Amalek. Years ago, I heard that Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz once sent a mishloach manot (Purim gift) to his father-in-law in the form of a book of insights on the Scroll of Esther. I adapted this concept, recorded a Purim song, and gifted it to my neighbors, calling it Musical Mishloach. Since then, nearly every year, I go to the recording studio, add a song to that original Purim song, and release it on the radio around the month of Adar. Eventually, it turned into an album of original Purim songs. Additionally, I met my wife, Efrat Edel, on Purim, so every year we celebrate the miracle of meeting on Purim night."
How Present Is Hashem in Your Life, and How Does He Affect What You Do? "In essence, I’m somewhat of a Breslov follower—or at least I try to be—so occasionally, I practice hitbodedut. I venture out to a field or quiet place—Jerusalem offers plenty—and simply talk to Hashem in my own words. Since adopting this practice, I sometimes need it as much as air. When I’m stressed or facing challenges, my wife says to me: 'Aharon, leave everything and go for a session of hitbodedut.'"
Which Biblical Figure Would You Like to Meet? "King David. He’s incredibly inspiring. A king filled with faith. He restrains himself when cursed, acknowledges when he falters, and dances before the Ark of Hashem openly as the simple man he is, without concern for others' opinions. A king holding nothing for himself, knowing Hashem is the real King. Reading the Book of Samuel about his life is always inspiring."
An Interesting Meeting or Conversation You’ve Had? "Once, I attended a meeting where Rabbi Ginsburg summoned many musicians to discuss music according to the mystical Torah. It was a fascinating gathering. Various musicians from the return to Judaism world sat down, each from different backgrounds, discussing music with holiness, inspiration, music’s role, and Jewish music. More than leaving with answers, I realized the immense depth in the topic—it’s a lifelong quest. What is Jewish music? What are you striving for? What’s your role as Hashem’s servant? How can you contribute to the Jewish people with your musical talents?"
What Do You Especially Enjoy About Shabbat? "It’s both a day for family and a day to just be. No rushing, planning, or texting. Once, I heard that it's a day entirely of faith. It means you tell Hashem: 'I’m not managing anything. I’m letting go of the wheel.' And behold—everything sorts itself out. Hashem governs the world without you."
Your Favorite Prayer? "I absolutely love 'Lecha Dodi,' from my days living in Safed, the city where this hymn was composed. In Safed, I used to pray at the large Breslov synagogue with its breathtaking views. The experience is indescribable: the sunset at its peak, hundreds of Hasidim dancing to Lecha Dodi after dipping in the Ari’s mikvah. It was incredibly powerful and unforgettable."
Who Do You Admire and Has Influenced You? "Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. His melodies provided immense inspiration at the beginning of my journey. I came from a classical music background and wasn’t familiar with Jewish music. His melodies were the first I heard, deeply penetrating my soul. They persuaded me to leave the academic world I was part of, move to Safed, and start composing my own melodies. From Rabbi Shlomo, I learned that music could really be your service to Hashem, not just being a musician who observes commandments. Singing has the numeric value of prayer. When a Jew sings, he is essentially praying."
A Lesson You’ve Learned in Life? "How crucial it is to generate an atmosphere of joy. Don’t get angry or regret the past. Understand everything is a test from Hashem. My brother Yonatan says that a miracle stems from the word 'to raise.' Hashem gives you a gift, saying: 'Yes, this is a test, but it's really a golden opportunity for you to grow.' I’m closely connected to those who return to Judaism. I feel like a returnee myself, even though my family began reapproaching Hashem when I was still young. For example, after the army, I was quite distant from the world of holiness. Later, I decided to move to Safed, study in a yeshiva, and since then, thank God, I live a life of Torah study, melodies, and performances."
Is There a Jewish Aspect You Personally Connect With? "The Holocaust is a profound theme in our family. My grandparents hid with non-Jews on a farm in northern Holland, and there were many stories. My grandfather once jumped from a train window to escape, and they survived Nazi searches while hiding. They heard, from their hiding place, a Nazi asking the Dutch family's child if they were hiding Jews. They thought it was the end until the child responded, 'What are Jews?', and the Nazis moved on."
Who Is Your Jewish Inspirational Figure? "The Lubavitcher Rebbe. Naor Carmi, a gifted musician and deeply devoted Chabad follower, once told me that the mission's motto is self-sacrifice—not just in physical comfort but also spiritually. Traveling to remote areas to bring Jews closer to their heritage can impact personal family life, but, in most cases, Hashem ensures you don’t lose out."
What Does Judaism Mean to You? "What a question! Being a soldier of Hashem. Being a light unto nations and acknowledging that Hashem created the world for us and our engagement with His Torah, aiming to contribute to world repair."
What Drives You Strongly? "Since a very young age, my siblings and I have been playing music. Besides playing, I’ve always loved creating. It’s a strong and significant part of my life. I constantly envision creations that stem from my experiences. I express what I go through through songs, both in melody and words. During different periods in my life, I sang various songs. There was a time for 'The Redemption Has Come,' then 'Sing Us a Song of Zion.' During Israel's disengagement, I sang about connection, and recently I sang a lot of 'I’ve Set My Place in the Beit Midrash.' I also have a song titled 'Visiting the Sick.' My profession takes me to play for people in challenging health situations, and it’s amazing to see music’s impact on them. A few times, I’ve played for someone in serious condition, and later, thank God, I’ve been told they fully recovered."
Working on a New Album. What Can You Share About It? "This is a joyful but challenging time. Thank God, I’m also a father to a large family, a scholar, a singer, an arranger, and more. I need to juggle everything and, naturally, pray a lot for divine assistance. This time, unlike previous occasions, I decided to approach various top producers, allowing each to produce two or three songs. As a result, the album includes songs produced by young and promising Yoeli Dickman, Yuval Stupel—Abraham Fried's arranger, Gil Smetana—Ehud Banai's producer, and Maor Shoshan—producer for Ishay Ribo. It’s an album that blends holiness with modern sound—a fusion of different styles. After the success, thank God, of 'I’ve Set My Place,' I decided to continue the album, dedicating it to the world of Torah. It includes various songs on the topic, such as 'This Is Our Business,' whose lyrics are from an old book by an eminent Jerusalem scholar from the early 20th century, writing about Torah life: 'This is our business, engaging in Torah words.' I turned this line into a chorus for the album’s title track. Another moving song is set to the words of a letter written by my late aunt, Orna Sharabi Razel, to her young son, who is now a scholar, saying, 'I want you to be a Torah scroll.' That’s the song’s chorus."
How’s the Crowdfunding Project Going? "For me, it’s a very joyous thing. I’ve involved many people in its development and opened it to the public. It’s a delightful experience, as in our digital age, things spread quickly. Everyone is supportive, and there’s a sense that something beautiful is coming. Additionally, it sparks curiosity—how it turned out, what it is, and who’s involved. People visit the site, make purchases, and leave heartwarming messages. It also creates a unique connection with your audience. The previous crowdfunding effort led to interesting relationships. I composed songs, for instance, for people’s celebrations. I’ve met young musicians who came for music and composition lessons, and we’re still in touch today."
20 Years of Creation: Did You Expect It to Look Like This? What Surprised You? "Wow. Many things surprised me. I never thought I’d survive in this field for so long. It’s a profession with much uncertainty. You rely entirely on the inspiration Hashem sends you. In this line of work, humility and faith are crucial. Anyone who maintains pride in this field—will fall quickly, or they’ll survive but face a sort of personal chaos. There’s a lot of falsehood with fame, honor, and competition. But approaching these with faith changes everything. It’s not that these challenges don’t exist, but you have tools to handle them, or at least attempt to."
Your Favorite Holiday? "First and foremost, Purim. I deeply connect with the joy of Purim—a joy that transcends limits, logic, and understanding. I love making people happy. Moreover, it’s significant to defeat the wicked and venomous Amalek. Years ago, I heard that Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz once sent a mishloach manot (Purim gift) to his father-in-law in the form of a book of insights on the Scroll of Esther. I adapted this concept, recorded a Purim song, and gifted it to my neighbors, calling it Musical Mishloach. Since then, nearly every year, I go to the recording studio, add a song to that original Purim song, and release it on the radio around the month of Adar. Eventually, it turned into an album of original Purim songs. Additionally, I met my wife, Efrat Edel, on Purim, so every year we celebrate the miracle of meeting on Purim night."
How Present Is Hashem in Your Life, and How Does He Affect What You Do? "In essence, I’m somewhat of a Breslov follower—or at least I try to be—so occasionally, I practice hitbodedut. I venture out to a field or quiet place—Jerusalem offers plenty—and simply talk to Hashem in my own words. Since adopting this practice, I sometimes need it as much as air. When I’m stressed or facing challenges, my wife says to me: 'Aharon, leave everything and go for a session of hitbodedut.'"
Which Biblical Figure Would You Like to Meet? "King David. He’s incredibly inspiring. A king filled with faith. He restrains himself when cursed, acknowledges when he falters, and dances before the Ark of Hashem openly as the simple man he is, without concern for others' opinions. A king holding nothing for himself, knowing Hashem is the real King. Reading the Book of Samuel about his life is always inspiring."
An Interesting Meeting or Conversation You’ve Had? "Once, I attended a meeting where Rabbi Ginsburg summoned many musicians to discuss music according to the mystical Torah. It was a fascinating gathering. Various musicians from the return to Judaism world sat down, each from different backgrounds, discussing music with holiness, inspiration, music’s role, and Jewish music. More than leaving with answers, I realized the immense depth in the topic—it’s a lifelong quest. What is Jewish music? What are you striving for? What’s your role as Hashem’s servant? How can you contribute to the Jewish people with your musical talents?"
What Do You Especially Enjoy About Shabbat? "It’s both a day for family and a day to just be. No rushing, planning, or texting. Once, I heard that it's a day entirely of faith. It means you tell Hashem: 'I’m not managing anything. I’m letting go of the wheel.' And behold—everything sorts itself out. Hashem governs the world without you."
Your Favorite Prayer? "I absolutely love 'Lecha Dodi,' from my days living in Safed, the city where this hymn was composed. In Safed, I used to pray at the large Breslov synagogue with its breathtaking views. The experience is indescribable: the sunset at its peak, hundreds of Hasidim dancing to Lecha Dodi after dipping in the Ari’s mikvah. It was incredibly powerful and unforgettable."
Who Do You Admire and Has Influenced You? "Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. His melodies provided immense inspiration at the beginning of my journey. I came from a classical music background and wasn’t familiar with Jewish music. His melodies were the first I heard, deeply penetrating my soul. They persuaded me to leave the academic world I was part of, move to Safed, and start composing my own melodies. From Rabbi Shlomo, I learned that music could really be your service to Hashem, not just being a musician who observes commandments. Singing has the numeric value of prayer. When a Jew sings, he is essentially praying."
A Lesson You’ve Learned in Life? "How crucial it is to generate an atmosphere of joy. Don’t get angry or regret the past. Understand everything is a test from Hashem. My brother Yonatan says that a miracle stems from the word 'to raise.' Hashem gives you a gift, saying: 'Yes, this is a test, but it's really a golden opportunity for you to grow.' I’m closely connected to those who return to Judaism. I feel like a returnee myself, even though my family began reapproaching Hashem when I was still young. For example, after the army, I was quite distant from the world of holiness. Later, I decided to move to Safed, study in a yeshiva, and since then, thank God, I live a life of Torah study, melodies, and performances."
