From the Stage to the Soul: Shmil Ben-Ari’s Journey

After years immersed in the world of film and theater, actor Shmil Ben-Ari has reached a new clarity: the deepest wisdom and most powerful beauty are found in the Torah. In this heartfelt conversation, he shares how his journey brought him to discover faith, self-awareness, and connection to the Jewish people partly thanks to the teachings on the Hidabroot Channel.

Ben-Ari, who won Israel’s prestigious Ophir Award for Best Leading Actor (for Electric Blanket Named Moses), and also received top honors for his roles in Jerusalem Mix and Lost Islands, reflects on a central truth he now holds dear: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” He calls this the essence of the entire Torah.

Currently wrapping up the third season of the TV drama Jerusalem Mix, Ben-Ari plays Shimon Sadeh, a traditional man from a Tunisian family who left the yeshiva to become a builder and later a successful contractor in Jerusalem. While his character is tough and dominant, Ben-Ari says he himself is much more soft-spoken and introspective. “My father was a bit like Shimon, respected and even feared. I drew inspiration from him for the role, and in the process, I reconnected with my own roots.”

A Life in the Arts, Searching for Meaning

Ben-Ari’s path to acting was born out of a personal crisis. “I was a good student at Breuer High School in Jerusalem,” he says. “But during a rough period in high school and army service, I felt like something inside me wanted to break out.” That need for expression led him to study acting at the Beit Zvi School of Performing Arts. Hidden passions from his childhood like acting and painting suddenly came alive.

While he became well known as an actor, Ben-Ari also kept much of his creativity private. He paints, writes, and increasingly found himself thinking about spiritual questions. “In recent years, I explored Buddhist and Tibetan teachings but when I really began to connect with Torah, I saw that nothing compares. The beauty, the wisdom, and the truth in Torah are deeper than any artistic masterpiece.”

Discovering Hidabroot and Rediscovering Torah

His connection to the Hidabroot Channel began, like many spiritual journeys, with a small spark. “I was flipping through channels and came across channel 97. I saw someone religious and thought, ‘This is too much for me.’ But something made me listen for five minutes... and suddenly I felt connected. I said, ‘Wow, this speaks to me.’”

He became especially drawn to the lectures of Rabbi Zamir Cohen, Rabbi Yitzchak Fanger, and Rabbi Aharon Levi. “They speak about real life and about what we all go through, whether religious or secular. Once you move past the outer appearance, a kippah, a beard, you realize these people are authentic. They come from the same roots as you.”

Ben-Ari believes that when people put aside judgment, they discover a deep inner connection. “Even if you’re not religious, when you watch something like this, you feel connected to your Jewish roots. There’s no escaping it. These roots are yours. They’re beautiful and full of meaning.”

How Torah Has Transformed His Daily Life

Today, Ben-Ari doesn’t just study, he lives his faith in everyday ways. “I go to the synagogue often now, near my home in Tel Aviv. I pray in the morning and put on tefillin. It changes my whole day. It gives me energy and focus. Instead of dragging myself through the day, I feel like I start with joy and purpose.”

He says that Torah teachings have also given him practical tools for life. “Whether it’s anger, stress, or fear, the Torah gives answers. Our sages already thought about these challenges. They help us see how a mitzvah (commandment) or a meaningful act can give us strength and balance.”

So What Is a Jew?

To Ben-Ari, a Jew is someone who knows that we are all deeply connected. “When you understand the words, ‘Hear O Israel, Hashem is our God, Hashem is One,’ you realize that we’re not separate. We all share the same spark. Whether secular or religious, we have to remove the labels and look into each other’s hearts. My guiding phrase is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“If you truly explore that idea,” he adds, “you find a deep well of wisdom that can make you a better, more joyful person. It helps in your family, with your spouse, children, and community. Even if you take just a little from it you’ll feel the difference.”