Return of the Troubador – Hezy Levy
Israel’s modern-day Troubadour with the golden voice. He represented Israel in the International Peace Festival singing Rebbe Nachman’s “Song of the Grasses".
Imagine this scenario as a rare sanctification of Hashem’s name: A major French recording company comes up with a gimmick and organizes an International Music Festival for Peace in Paris. Among others, they invite Islamic musicians from the Palestine Authority and Jewish musicians from Israel to share the same stage along with other performers that represent the major religions of the world. Thousands attend the festival and millions see it on European television. Lo and behold, the singer chosen to sing the opening song appears on stage with a big white-knit that covers his entire head. He smiles, strums his guitar, and begins to sing the words of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev…
Sound off the wall? It’s the truth. This is the story of Israel’s classic guitarist and Troubador-style singer, Hezy Levy. You can believe that when BreslovWorld heard about his Kiddush Hashem in Paris, we wanted to meet the man behind the story. Until now, Hezy Levy has been an anonymous in the Jewish music world, and much better known in Europe than he is in Israel. We were convinced that since he had been chosen to spread the name of the true tzaddik all over the globe, there must be something super special about him. Our assumption was accurate, to say the least.
We visited Hezy in the pastoral surroundings of his home on Moshav Udim in the Sharon Valley not far from Natanya. With a smile that can melt a rock and the most pleasant disposition you’d ever want to meet, Hezy Levy began his musical training by learning classical guitar at a tender age. He received a choral music from the Rubin Academy of the University of Tel Aviv while simultaneously learning voice development from Israel’s best vocal coaches.
Hezy Levy sang with the Cameron and Rinat choirs. He specialized in Baroque and Renaissance music both in Israel and abroad and his performed in Europe’s leading song festivals. His mastership of the guitar is no less amazing than his tenor voice with unheard-of versatility. Like the classic Spanish troubadour, Hezy provides his own musical accompaniment to his exquisite voice.
Apropos versatility, Hezy Levy sings in no less than eight languages. He blends European culture with the music of the Middle East and ancient Jewry. We’re happy to introduce you to this magnificent musician, who’s phenomenally humble and the nicest person you’d ever want to meet.
BreslevIsrael: Hezy, where are you headed in life?
Hezy Levy: As a person and as a performer, my goal is to arouse people and to inspire them with my music. I want my listeners to feel Hashem’s love that’s like an untapped wellspring within their souls. I’d like to know that my music strengthens people’s emuna and their connection with G-d. You know, my full name in Hebrew is “Yehezkel”, and it means that Hashem should strengthen you. Also, I am from the Levite tribe, the singers in the Holy Temple. As my name indicates, I want to spiritually strengthen and inspire people with my song.
BreslevIsrael: As a person who’s not religious from the common sense of the word, you talk like the dean of a Chassidic yeshiva. Hezy, are you beginning to walk down a path that Rebbe Nachman has paved for you?Hezy Levy: First of all, let me explain – I have a strong sense of emuna in Hashem and in the Torah. I drink our tradition with thirst. My Yemenite grandfather was a cantor in Jerusalem. I guess I inherited my musical acumen from him. Even though I grew up in a completely non-religious environment – not at all like the Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, or the like, I still have eyes in my head. I see who opens the gates of joyful 
Judaism and the light of Torah to the masses – none other than Rebbe Nachman of Breslev. Let’s go a step further. From a Kabbalah standpoint, we are concluding the 6th millennia and entering the threshold of Sabbath eve. Everyone with the least bit of independent thinking power knows that redemption will be soon. The age of power and manipulation will soon be the age of love and the heart. For me, Rebbe Nachman represents the spark of holiness that we need so badly today. He returns us to the pure tradition that was lost with the end of prophecy in Israel. Rebbe Nachman was 200 years before his time. We need him so badly now. With love and joy, he connects our souls to Hashem.
Judaism and the light of Torah to the masses – none other than Rebbe Nachman of Breslev. Let’s go a step further. From a Kabbalah standpoint, we are concluding the 6th millennia and entering the threshold of Sabbath eve. Everyone with the least bit of independent thinking power knows that redemption will be soon. The age of power and manipulation will soon be the age of love and the heart. For me, Rebbe Nachman represents the spark of holiness that we need so badly today. He returns us to the pure tradition that was lost with the end of prophecy in Israel. Rebbe Nachman was 200 years before his time. We need him so badly now. With love and joy, he connects our souls to Hashem. BreslevIsrael: How did you become Israel’s representative to the International Peace Festival in France in 2008, and how did you pick Rebbe Nachman’s Song of the Grasses to sing there?
Hezy Levy: The Festival wasn’t a one-shot deal – it included a series of concerts all over France where Christian, Moslem, and Jewish musicians travelled and performed together as one cohesive troupe. We proved that there is a better way. The producer, Jean Yves Labat, heard about me from someone in New York…coincidence?
BreslevIsrael: No such thing. We call it personal Divine Providence.
Hezy Levy: Granted! Anyway, Jean Yves asked me to open the main concert in Paris and I thought that Rebbe Nachman’s song was the most universal with a message that everyone can relate to. The song arouses the soul from deep down.
BreslevIsrael: Who wrote the gorgeous music for Rebbe Nachman’s lyrics?
Hezy Levy: Israel’s famous songwriter Naomi Shemer, who also wrote Jerusalem of Gold. Even though she grew up in a kibbutz and was the icon of Israeli secular music, here’s clear proof that she was well-versed in Rebbe Nachman’s teachings.
BreslevIsrael: Is it true that you are eagerly anticipating the ful redemption of our people?
Hezy Levy: Certainly! Emuna and the recognition of truth are spreading far and wide. Soon, all nations will acknowledge G-d. Music will play an increasing role in that objective. Music connects people to G-d and to their own souls. Music leads to unity – not the unity of a common enemy, but the unity of love. Music helps us cling to Hashem and to praise His name – that’s what redemption is all about. Ego, politics, and proving who’s right doesn’t have any connection to the spiritual experience of loving G-d and your fellow human. May we see that day soon, amen!
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