Come and Go: "Spices for Shabbat" Team in First Interview

If you have the means (television or internet) and have not yet discovered the wonderful program 'Spices for Shabbat'—a new show airing on the Hidabroot channel every Friday at 1 p.m.—then you should hurry, as it is one of the most promising programs ever broadcast on the channel.  

The uniqueness of the program does not end with its respectable panel of hosts, including singer Liran Levy, paytan Binyamin Danishman, and Rabbi Shalom Cohen, but also in its rich repertoire of artists from various genres of Jewish music, sweet Torah insights, and other small surprises like a cooking segment featuring Omri Prag, CEO of "Prag Spices," who provides tips for proper cooking and tasty recipes for Shabbat Kodesh.

The program hosts from right to left: Liran Levy, Binyamin Danishman, and Rabbi Shalom Cohen

The program's Torah component is led by Rabbi Shalom Cohen (43), a multifaceted lecturer with a master's degree in counseling and education, who has been involved in outreach and family and educational counseling for 20 years. His journey began as a lecturer with the 'Arachim' organization, but over time, his work expanded to include various outreach organizations in Israel such as: 'Mema'amakim', 'Shoreshim', 'Afikim', 'Azmerah', 'Center Experience', 'Pisgot', and more—where he lectured on diverse and varied topics. Additionally, for over a decade, he has been training teachers at the 'Achiya' institute and has authored a fascinating book discussing the weekly Torah portion from a contemporary perspective.

He became involved with Hidabroot after meeting Rabbi Zamir Cohen at a seminar in Zikhron Ya'akov. Between lectures, Rabbi Zamir Cohen heard part of his class and asked to keep in touch. Later, he was invited to the channel to deliver his lessons, this time through a camera. "This was the harder part for me," he recalls. "At first, I didn't see myself speaking in front of a camera. But eventually, I was convinced." Thus, filming followed filming, and since then, the rabbi has participated in programs with Nati Ravitz and Rabbi Zamir Cohen, as well as other programs on the channel. In all of them, he felt joy and an extraordinary connection to the unique 'mission' intended for him.

However, in the program 'Spices for Shabbat,' which, as its name suggests, spices up Shabbat with recipes for the body and soul, there is a slightly different flavor. According to Rabbi Cohen, this blend of diverse Jewish music with Torah words elevates his soul to completely different realms. Is it any wonder that viewers don't stop complimenting?!

How do you prepare for the program?

"Mainly with prayers for heavenly assistance. Several times, I prepared to speak on a specific topic, and in the flow of speech, the conversation went to places I never imagined," says the rabbi jokingly. "It's amazing to discover how Hashem weaves the program and guides you to the precise words, just so one person in the world hears and receives the message they need at that moment."

"It's very accurate. I feel the same," joins in artist and creator Liran Levy (35), owner of a production company called 'Liran Levy Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel', who is currently working on releasing his own album and is responsible for hosting the program. He began his musical career as a paytan at various events, but over time became known as the best producer in his field, leading Bar/Bat Mitzvah tours to the Kotel.

So what's the connection between leading tours and being a paytan and program host? You ask well. It turns out it all starts (but doesn't end) at home. "About three years ago, my father passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy of love and knowledge of the land. He was well-versed in all the midrashim about the land and loved to travel throughout Israel," Levy shares. "I grew up on that love, and when he passed away, while continuing in the profession he loved so much, I felt a great need to start writing."

Mainly about what?

"Faith, love of Hashem, joy. Everything that feels close to me. I am currently working on an album of 12 of my own songs."

Cooking corner of the program: A taste from Omri Prag's dishes

In the coming months, you are supposed to release this material. Why now?

"Because before that, I was never interested in bringing my own music. People always told me I should direct my resources in this direction, but for some reason—I never took it too seriously. Although I studied voice development and even participated in a show with 400 people featuring selichot chants, it more or less ended there."

According to Levy, although he knows Eastern music thoroughly and plays various instruments including the oud, the goal is for the album to connect East and West. "That means if I sing 'Yigdal Elokim Chai V'Yishtabach,' the trills will be more delicate with a classical touch of piano. I connect more to the gentle place of paytan."

Though it's still in its infancy, what are the reactions you're getting to the program?

Rabbi Cohen: "Wonderful and encouraging, and may they continue this way."

Levy: "All the responses are positive and enthusiastic, thank God. I feel that this program is truly a place to bring joy to the people of Israel, helping them enter and leave Shabbat from a place of sanctity and joy. When you leave Shabbat, the extra soul leaves you. Therefore, we make Havdalah on spices—the act of smelling the spices helps the extra soul leave with respect and gives it strength until the next Shabbat. This program is the 'extra soul' of Friday, really giving people strength until the following week.

"The diverse songs from respected artists and creators who join us, the virtual tours we take across the country, the enlightening and heartwarming Torah words of Rabbi Cohen, the exceptional paytan of Binyamin Danishman, and the superb recipes—all help viewers come to Shabbat with a sense of exaltation and great joy. I am glad that on one hand there are the Eastern celebrations and on the other the Yiddishkeit—it provides an answer also for the Hasidic court."

To watch the program 'Spices for Shabbat':