"The Privilege of Attending Torah Classes with Amir is One of the Most Exciting Things in the World"

A new and particularly moving Selichot concert is set to take place this coming Yom Kippur, featuring esteemed artists David D'Or and Amir Benayoun, performing familiar piyutim such as 'El Nora Alilah', 'Avinu Malkeinu', and others. Their musical collaboration takes us on a cross-cultural journey through melodies inspired by Ashkenazi, Moroccan, Libyan, Turkish, and other traditions.

In an interview with 'Yedioth Ahronoth', D'Or (52) and Benayoun (42) share about their connection that began about a decade ago, encompassing many shared experiences — from performing on the same stage to attending Torah and Talmud classes together. "It's a privilege to be with Amir in Torah classes; it's one of the most exciting things in the world," says D'Or, describing Benayoun as someone who never falls into complacency. "He challenges rabbis and those greater than him, not taking things for granted, but rather questioning and philosophizing. You can agree with Amir or not, but his depth cannot be taken from him."

Talking about the Chabad melody 'Tzama Lecha Nafshi' that they perform together, Benayoun says that the first time he heard it from the Rebbe of Lubavitch himself on YouTube, "I felt chills." D'Or adds, "The Lubavitcher Rebbe was certainly not Sephardic. Amir is Moroccan, I'm Tripolitan, and we both listened to it with excitement. Why did it give us a heart boom? Because we are Jews. It's unrelated to anything. Not to the right, not to the left, not to the East, not to the West."