Ishay Ribo’s Story: Where Music Meets Faith

“The voice of my beloved is knocking, open for Me, My children. The time for your redemption has come. I have told your troubles, ‘Enough,’ and I’ve come to say: Rachel will cry no more. The scent of the Messiah is stronger than any merchant’s perfume.”
(From Ishay Ribo’s third single, Kol Dodi, lyrics and music by Ishay Ribo)

At just 25 years old, Ishay Ribo is a powerful example of what can happen when someone truly believes in their path and follows it with heart and faith. His story is one of perseverance, spiritual clarity, and musical brilliance.

Ishay discovered his calling at the age of 14, when he began writing and composing songs for himself. From that point on, he never let go of his dream to become a singer-songwriter. But for him, it wasn’t just about music, it was about meaning. From the start, he made a personal promise: if he ever succeeded as a musician, he would sing only about faith, love of Hashem, and spiritual truth.

In the last three years alone, Ishay has performed at countless concerts and weddings, written and composed for some of Israel’s best-known artists, and released three incredibly successful singles. His talent and sincerity have set him apart in a world that often celebrates the superficial.

Even acclaimed musician Idan Raichel, who invited Ishay to perform with The Idan Raichel Project, said about one of Ishay’s songs, “How did I not write this?”

Ishay’s debut album, supported by a grant from the ACUM Foundation, was released just weeks ago and is already being sold in stores across Israel. The album includes his well-known singles Meteva HaDevarim, Kol Dodi, and Tocho Ratzuf Ahava (“He is Filled with Love”), alongside other songs inspired by Jewish tradition and sources. The album has been warmly received by both religious and secular audiences alike.

Some of Israel’s top musicians joined him in creating this album, including Dudu Tassa on guitar, Amitai Freinta on bass, Israel Nachum on drums, Yael Feldheim on harmonica, David Ichilbich on piano, and Nadav Biton on keyboards. The album, named Tocho Ratzuf Ahava, captures not just Ishay’s voice, but his soul.

Ishay was born in France and lived there until he was eight, when his family made aliyah (immigration to Israel). At first, his parents were traditional, but after enrolling their son in a Haredi Talmud Torah (religious school), they too became more observant over time. Today, Ishay is married and the proud father of a two-year-old. He is completing his military service in the Haredi Nahal unit, under the direction of the IDF’s Chief Cantor, Lieutenant Colonel Shai Abramson, who recruited him after hearing his voice.

How did it all begin?

“I never had formal training in music,” Ishay says. “But the desire to sing, it was something burning in my bones. Every time I wrote a song, I could already hear it being recorded in my head.”

At 18, he wanted to join a band. He met other musicians who welcomed him, but since he didn’t play an instrument, he quickly realized he had no idea how to properly perform or produce a song. That’s when he decided to teach himself guitar, so he could start composing his own music from beginning to end.

When did you go from songwriter to performer?

“That happened later. I always knew I wanted to sing the songs I wrote, and I believe that’s why it worked out. As the sages teach, ‘In the path a person wants to walk, they are led.’ I know many people who write beautifully maybe even better than me but the difference is, I took it seriously. Even through the fear, the doubts, and the disappointments, and there were many, I didn’t give up.”

“What holds people back from fulfilling their dreams isn’t money,” he continues, “but fear. Fear of success. Fear of believing it could happen to them. Fear of seeing their own value and allowing themselves to experience real growth.”

Listening to his lyrics, it’s hard to believe that Ishay never studied songwriting. He calls it a matnat chinam, a “free gift” from Hashem.

His songs, his message

Ishay has performed with artists like Yonatan and Aharon Razel, Shuli Rand, and of course, Idan Raichel. He even wrote the popular song Kebatchila for singer Gad Elbaz. His hit Kol Dodi made its debut at the 2013 Song and Refrain Festival, where he performed alongside Arik Sinai, Dana Berger, and others. The song won second place.

What’s your vision going forward?

Despite his growing popularity, Ishay keeps his heart grounded in faith. “I’m deeply grateful that my dream came true. But just as important to me is growing in Torah, mitzvot, and yirat shamayim, awe of Heaven. I try to keep a regular schedule of Torah study at Midrash Ziv, a kollel (advanced study center) in Jerusalem.”

“My dream is to keep rising higher both in music and in my service of Hashem and to pass that on to my children.”