Yishai Ribo and Zusha Release Bilingual Song Inspired by Talmud

Israeli singer Yishai Ribo has released a new song titled 'The Way of Those Who Do Out of Love,' a unique collaboration with the American-Jewish musical duo Zusha. The song, which marks Ribo's first venture combining Hebrew and English lyrics, is set to be released ahead of the High Holy Days and carries a message of faith and innocence.

The inspiration for the song stems from a passage in the Talmud, specifically in Tractate Shabbat, page 88, concerning a dialogue between Rabbi Rava and a heretic. The heretic questions the Israelites' readiness to accept the Torah, citing their eagerness to say 'we will do' before 'we will hear' at Mount Sinai. Rabbi Rava's response, emphasizing the Jewish people's innocent trust in God, deeply moved Ribo. He was particularly struck by the commentary of Rashi, which describes this trust as acting 'with a pure heart, as those who do out of love, and trusting Him not to burden us with that which we cannot bear.'

Ribo felt compelled to compose music for Rashi's words, but the process took time. He eventually reached out to Zusha, with whom he had previously collaborated. They contributed English verses, completing the song. The lyrics were written by Yishai Ribo, Zakharia Goldschmidt, Shlomo Gaisin, and Philip Reichman, with the chorus based on Rashi's commentary. The music was composed by Yishai Ribo, David Iklewitz, Zakharia Goldschmidt, and Shlomo Gaisin, with production by Ribo, Liad Grushka, Gabriel (EKEV), Zakharia Goldschmidt, and Shlomo Gaisin.

The song joins a wave of new musical releases in anticipation of the High Holy Days, including singles by Moshe David Weissmandl and Almog Haliva. Ribo describes the song as reflecting a journey of faith, both individually and as a people, trusting in God even when the path is unclear, akin to a beloved child relying on their father.