The Crown of the Week: David D’or on Shabbat, Music, and Jewish Light

David D’or is married and the father of two who lives in Givatayim. He is a musician and painter.

A Spark of Nostalgia

“There is a story I read in childhood that touched me very deeply and has stayed with me ever since. It is not a well-known fairy tale, but a lesser-known story about a special mare calledThe Prairie Mare.

“It tells of an extraordinary mare with an exceptional talent for running, which made many people desire her. As a result, she is cruelly torn away from her family in the plains and passed from owner to owner, each of whom mistreats her in his own way in order to profit from horse races.

“This continues until an Indigenous man comes along who truly loves her. He understands that her talent is actually harming her and making her miserable, and so, despite the fact that he could have made a great deal of money from her, he cuts a tendon in her leg, rendering her unsuitable as a racehorse. The mare is then returned to her family in the plains and lives out her life in happiness.

“I vividly remember how moved I was by this story as a child, how saddened I felt by human greed, and at the same time how deeply inspired I was by the greatness of spirit of the one who saved her. Even then, I understood that we are given a choice between good and evil: just as a person can perform noble and beautiful deeds, so too can he fall to very low and dark places.”

A Spark of Judaism

“Choosing a single point of light in Judaism is impossible, because there are countless points of light that come together to form one great light. Still, I can say that I feel a strong connection to the spiritual interpretation of the Torah, to its hidden dimensions, and to the spiritual meanings embedded in every word, verse, and commandment.

“When I hear an interpretation that moves me, I feel an inner shift taking place. I feel flooded with emotion, joy, and a sense of connection to something far greater than myself. I enjoy soaring high in thought, and more than once I have managed to find meaning in things that previously felt unclear to me.”

A Spark of Inspiration

“The Baal Shem Tov is a Jewish figure who inspires me deeply. The world of Hasidism, the choice of love as a way of life, the bridge between the practical world and the mystical one, and the new foundations and ideas that the Baal Shem Tov introduced into Judaism, which until then had been relatively closed and conservative, are truly remarkable in my eyes.

“Thanks to the Baal Shem Tov and his circle, many Jews found their place within the Jewish people. His stories of wisdom and moral insight remain a light to the nations to this day. At the same time, I am concerned about those who take the wisdom of Kabbalah and turn it into something commercial, something unworthy, spreading partial truths in the name of Judaism. When one finds the right and wise teacher, someone who knows what can be taught and what should still remain concealed, someone who understands that our generation is thirsty and ready for profound spirituality, then the learning becomes pure delight.”

A Spark of Creativity

“These days I am working on a new album composed of original pieces I have written, while at the same time continuing to record the fourth installment of the ‘Shirat Rabbim’ project. In this project, together with various artists, we record songs from Jewish sources with both old and new melodies, arranged in a contemporary style. In addition, I am working on a new painting exhibition that I hope to present, God willing, in Israel and in New York.

“Faith has always been strongly present in my songs, sometimes indirectly and sometimes very explicitly. For example, about two years ago we performed for the first time at a Selichot concert in Caesarea, and it was an uplifting, soul-stirring experience. God willing, Amir Benayoun and I will perform together at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center in a joint Selichot concert, where we will host the wonderful Ishay Ribo. Song is a powerful way to ask for forgiveness. This musical vibration, which is really the language of the heart, touches every string of the body, softening even the hardest heart.”

A Spark of a Commandment

“The mitzvah of charity is very close to my heart. The awareness that we are all one living human tapestry, connected and intertwined, means that when someone has been blessed, they are called upon to share, to give to others and bring them joy through generosity. To me, that is a great privilege. In fact, in true giving, I am not sure who is happier, the giver or the recipient.

“I strongly feel that nothing in this world truly belongs to us, except the mitzvot we have merited to perform. The pain of a person in another city or another part of the world touches me as well. Charity is a deeply social, human, and heartfelt commandment. When it comes from a pure place, it also cleanses a person of ego and the illusion of ‘my own strength and power,’ and by its very existence it already rewards the giver with a deeper understanding of how blessed they truly are.”

A Spark of Shabbat

“Shabbat is the crown. I wait for it all week long. From the moment it enters, the house is filled with a different light, that is purer and gentler. The scent of challah and cooked dishes fills the freshly cleaned home and brings the entire family into a special atmosphere. The Kiddush, the Shabbat table, the songs and stories, the guests who come from all over Israel and the world, each sharing their experiences, insights, and dreams, all create an exalted feeling.

“My wife’s cooking, which for me surpasses anything else, even the finest gourmet restaurant, the unique connection with the family when everyone sheds the burdens of the week and arrives at the Shabbat table in a different state of mind, this is true Shabbat delight.”