What is Lashon Hara?
5
By Beautiful Yid
Lashon Hara is Hebrew for "Evil Speech" (or as close to the real translation as I deemed appropriate for here). I read a lot of venomous words here, along with people who love him/his music no matter what he does.
Here is an incredibly giving, energetic man, who is utterly Observant, adores his wife and children and gives a great deal to charity. He is a man and he is an artist.
Many, many artists experiment with other sounds, so why not this incredibly humble, observant, kind and poetic man? Look at the stretch the Beatles (not that I'm comparing him to them, but just to make a point): It's a far cry from "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", to "Strawberry Fields"! People that are self-aware and certainly in the spotlight, grow and change. May we all do this each day, to become better.
You can like this particular offering or not, but to berate a person like Matis... is actually harmful to his being, and worse, to yours. Give it a thumbs up or down, but do not attack the man. And why such foul language from those of you who are dissapointed? Find some new adjectives, please.
While in Yerushalayim, my daughter babysat for Matis and his wife with her friend (their regular babysitter when Matis takes his wife on dates, and such). His children were loving, kind, fun and well-behaved. After, they took their kids and the 2 young women (my daughter and her friend) to the park and he not only paid both of them very generously, he insisted on buying food, ice cream, etc.. He and his wife hung out with these 2 young women (ages around 20), and talked with them, about THEM, and were encouraging about THEIR futures. His humility was contagious.
My daughter was/is a HUGE FAN, but felt so humbled by their vibes of good cheer, generosity and humility, she never told him she LOVES his music. I felt he would have likely given her a signed CD or 2 if she had mentioned it. She said that they (he and his darling family) acted so sweet + normal, she couldn't bring herself to possibly embarrass him by gushing about his music. He obviously didn't assume my daughter had ever heard of him- in 2008! And we are from TX!
He's a human; therefore not perfect, of course! But, this I feel consistently from him... he works on himself every day - it shows in his actions and words. He is devoted to HaShem/Torah and his family, and to leaving the world a better place. This is what his music is always about, even when it sounds a litle different. Reggae? He's a Jew who grew up in New York! He does Reggae & Beat Box because he digs it. Maybe it's not the only kind of music that moves him, now that he is older. Hear the message and don't beat up the messenger, please?
Don't buy this album if you don't like it. And, sure, let him & the world know what effect his art has on you, but please, check your mirror, your sense of humor and stop slandering the man.
So here is my question- the one I ask myself every day: What are you doing to make yourself; therefore the world- better?
I'm 57 and his music inspires me and reminds me why we are here. As a fellow Yid newly trying to be Observant, I appreciate the inspiration, and I do not adore every single song, but I do admire the artist.
