matisyahu_shaved1

Matisyahu shaved off his beard

Matisyahu

Yesteday morning Matisyahu posted the above picture of himself on Twitter. A few hours later he wrote “For all of those who are being awesome,you are awesome.For all those who are confused:today I went to the Mikva and Shul just like yesterday.” And he issued this statement:

This morning I posted a photo of myself on Twitter.

No more Chassidic reggae superstar.

Sorry folks, all you get is me…no alias. When I started becoming religious 10 years ago it was a very natural and organic process. It was my choice. My journey to discover my roots and explore Jewish spirituality–not through books but through real life. At a certain point I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity…to move away from my intuition and to accept an ultimate truth. I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules–lots of them–or else I would somehow fall apart. I am reclaiming myself. Trusting my goodness and my divine mission.

Get ready for an amazing year filled with music of rebirth. And for those concerned with my naked face, don’t worry…you haven’t seen the last of my facial hair.

– Matisyahu

This morning he again reiterated that he still goes to temple, probably in part due to all the backlash he’s getting from the Chassidic community, and for people who think he’s stopped being religious at all.

Matisyahu begins his annual winter tour that includes “Festival of Light” shows during Hanukkah, this week in Denver. He plays Music Hall of Williamsburg Dec 19, 20 & 21, and then Webster Hall on the 22nd, before continuing to Philly. Openers change each night and include Aunt Martha and Dub Trio. Tickets at Ticketmaster. Dates are listed below…


Matisyahu –2011 Festival of Light
Dec 15 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theatre
Dec 17 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
Dec 19 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *
Dec 20 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg ^
Dec 21 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg **
Dec 22 New York, NY @ Webster Hall ^^
Dec 24 Philadelphia, PA @ TLA ^^
Dec 26 Portland, ME @ State Theatre ^^
Dec 27 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground ^^
Dec 28 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^^
Dec 29 West Palm Beach, FL @ Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 31 Tampa, FL @ Morsani Hall
* Aunt Martha opening
^ Dub Trio opening
** Adam Deitch and Break Science opening
^^ Cris Cab opening