Manny Asiag: "I Gave Up Hundreds of Thousands for My Truth"

Right from the start of our conversation with Manny Asiag, it's clear we're in for a unique interview. Asiag's humor and talent, which have entertained hundreds of thousands through his creations, are evident. However, today's Asiag is channeling his talents differently, towards higher matters.

If you ask Asiag, his sharp pivot from entertainment to spirituality isn’t surprising. “Where I am today feels natural,” he explains in a special interview. “I grew up in a traditional family, with parents who immigrated from Morocco. My grandfather was religious and studied Torah for hours each day, and my father served as cantor at the nearby synagogue. I came from a home deeply connected to Jewish tradition.”

But over time, something changed. “I distanced a bit,” he reflects sadly. “I continued with Shabbat dinners and eating kosher but visited the synagogue less and stopped laying tefillin regularly.”

Asiag's life path was challenging. In his youth, he played basketball, but an injury forced him out of sports. After his military service, his brother Shalom invited him to write a stand-up show called "Shalom with Asiag," and the rest is history.

Asiag studied screenwriting, contributing to successful TV shows. His humor entertained hundreds of thousands. “I was prominent in the field,” he says about his entertainment career, “but I felt uneasy. Many in the industry distanced from Judaism, and my right-wing values clashed with the dominant tone. At some point, I realized I needed a change.”

But you worked in that industry for many years.

“True, but I have no respect for that industry. I felt more alienated from my values being part of it.”

Asiag made a dramatic decision to leave the entertainment field he thrived in. “Recently, I chose to return to my roots,” he shares. “I now lay tefillin daily, attend synagogue prayers, study Torah, and reconnect with tradition.”

What reactions have you received after leaving the industry?

“I come from a 'dialing code' of traditional Shabbat-observant people. Even when working in TV, I felt out of place. I still meet people questioning my career, but I believe Hashem put me in the best place. It may lack wealth and glamour, but it is pure truth,” he states resolutely.

What sparked such a drastic life change and leaving a promising career?

“The decision lingered for years,” he reveals. “I was uncomfortable. There was huge demand for the show ‘The Eighties’, which I was the main writer for. I received many offers, but I felt out of place. Most didn’t share my values. The industry is steeped in leftist tones, unable to distinguish right from wrong. It wasn’t comfortable. People talked behind my back about my writings, expecting me to conform to the ‘norm’.”

“At some point, I knew I had to change. I was always true to my personal integrity. When my brother Shalom was targeted over my statements, leaving became inevitable. I quit after an invitation for another season of ‘The Eighties’. There was pressure, from family and friends, to return, but I decided to move forward.”

Was it difficult to leave?

“Rabbi Uri Zohar’s legacy inspired me. He made immense sacrifices for truth. I’m not at his level but aimed to prove that truth transcends money, like the sanctification of Hashem’s name and protecting Torah and rabbinical leaders. Now, strangers commend my tefillin distribution instead of ‘The Eighties’. It’s clear to me now that I’m in the true world.”

Despite difficulties, Asiag is content with his choice. “Leaving entertainment was my best decision. Though I forfeited substantial earnings and a significant career, I stand by my decision. Today, I am in a different, pure place. I won’t trade it for anything, especially seeing how people trust my organization with contributions, knowing their donations go to worthwhile causes.”

Regrets from your entertainment career?

“First, everything is from Hashem,” Asiag reflects. “But yes, there are things I’d redo. I’d skip jokes that didn’t honor Hashem’s name and possibly offended in some scenes. Still, I’m proud of the positive highlights I contributed. In ‘The Eighties’, for instance, there were significant Jewish scenes I’m happy and proud made it to air.”

Collaboration with Omri Casspi

Leaving entertainment, Asiag focused on philanthropy, notably distributing tefillin to those in need. “It started with a social media post of me wearing tefillin,” he recounts. “I received messages from people wishing to lay tefillin but can’t afford them. I was shocked and decided to intervene. I wrote about it, and now I buy and distribute tefillin to those otherwise unable to.”

Who funds your activities?

“Generous donors assist. I also contribute to these projects. News spread quickly, and many joined the effort. At one point, basketball player Omri Casspi reached out to help. We founded a WhatsApp group for the cause. Later, we established the organization ‘Hayonu Kachomlim’ to provide tefillin and carry out additional charitable acts. The moment a Jew tells me ‘I want to donate tefillin to someone in need’ is more gratifying than any punchline in ‘The Eighties’, if you’ll allow me the comparison.”

Does your charitable work extend beyond distributing tefillin?

“Definitely. We also support families in need with Shabbat groceries, appliances, and more. We participate in writing Torah scrolls in memory of fallen soldiers and support soldiers. Our involvement extends to everything linked to holiness and kindness. Everyone can contribute and participate, of course.”

"Defending Our Orthodox Brethren"

Thousands follow Asiag on social media, and he uses these platforms to defend issues close to his heart. Asiag doesn’t follow trends. He stands up for the Orthodox community using his writing skills, highlighting the hypocrisy of adopting the media’s narrative against the Orthodox and right-wing.

“It’s very important for me to defend our Orthodox brothers from the attacks they endure. The Orthodox community faces harsh criticism for their lifestyle, usually based on twisted data or misrepresentations. As the Orthodox community, mostly absent in these areas, endures these attacks without adequate defense, I feel proud to be part of their protection,” he says. “Unlike others, I write what many don’t. For example, I quickly condemned the disgraceful act of a member of ‘Brothers in Arms’ throwing money at yeshiva students.”

What’s your opinion on the draft law?

“The draft issue rose from political motivations,” he declares. “Certain interest groups aim to touch the most sensitive nerves of Israeli society now. But let's not get confused. This group doesn’t truly want Charedim in the army. If they do, it’s to see them discharge as secular. Before the war, Yair Golan wanted to dismantle the ‘Nahal Haredi’ battalion. Why? Because he doesn’t genuinely want Charedim in the army. I do think non-learners should serve, but this debate should occur only through dialogue and mutual understanding, not in today’s positional discourse.”

"Not Ruling Out Participation in Channel 14"

You mentioned the industry where almost everyone thinks alike. Do you consider joining Channel 14, where the outlook is notably different?

“I previously participated in Channel 20, the channel’s previous version. Even now, I’m invited occasionally to panels, and I attend. If they ask me to join, I won’t rule it out. Channel 14 is respectable. Besides, I’m involved in projects like ‘Chamin’ and ‘Everything is by Hashem.’ But my organization remains most important to me.”

What’s your opinion on Israel’s divide over this question: Should Prime Minister Netanyahu resign post the Simchat Torah massacre?

“Benjamin Netanyahu should remain as long as we elect him,” he asserts. “I’m one of his voters wanting his continued premiership. On this matter, Netanyahu is a victim of those who don’t respect our, the right-wing’s, choice. They’ve done everything to undermine election results, leading sadly to the refusal I believe contributed to our enemies’ motivation on the horrific Simchat Torah morning.”