Finding Light in the Silence: A Musician's Transformative Shabbat Journey

“Shabbat Enabled Me to Regain Control Over My Life”

What does Shabbat mean to you?
“Shabbat, for me, is simple pleasure. When I first became religious, I saw Shabbat as something tough: no phone, no TV, and all those restrictions. But after a few weeks of keeping Shabbat, I realized I had it all wrong. It’s not that I’m forbidden; rather, I’m allowed to spend one day without my phone. I’m allowed to go a day without watching TV. That change in mindset transformed everything.

When I discovered the power of Shabbat, it spread quickly and began to influence the rest of my week. Today, thank God, I hardly watch TV, and I use other things only when I truly need them. Shabbat enabled me to regain control over my life, instead of my life controlling me.”

What’s your Shabbat routine?
“I’m still single, so I imagine my routine will change a lot when I get married, with Hashem's help. One of the most special moments for me is Shabbat morning, walking to shul with my tallit (prayer shawl) draped over me. There’s something so pure about it, nothing else can compare.

I remember one Shabbat back when I was learning at a yeshiva in Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv. I had to pray in the Florentin neighborhood that morning because of a Hasidic hitva’adut (gathering) in honor of my rabbi’s new daughter. I walked from Neve Tzedek through streets filled with bars and cafes, places I used to frequent before becoming religious. The streets were gray and filthy, like a storm had passed. And there I was, walking through it all, wrapped in my tallit, feeling like an astronaut stepping on the moon for the first time.

After morning prayers, I go home, make kiddush, eat lunch, and go right to sleep. Shabbat nap? The best rest there is. I usually wake up two to three hours before heading back to synagogue for Mincha (the afternoon prayer), where I learn a Hasidic teaching. Then it’s Mincha, a short sermon, Maariv (the evening prayer), havdalah (the ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat), and back home to prepare for the new week.”

Where do you pray on Shabbat?
“I pray at the central synagogue in Kfar Yona. It’s a very special place. The rabbi is Chabad, but the community is mostly Religious Zionists, with a few Breslov chassidim. There’s a real sense of unity in the shul. Despite the different backgrounds, I’ve never heard arguments about ideology. Everyone is embraced with love.”

What's your favorite Shabbat song?
“‘Shabbat is Coming’ by Shlomi Shabat is a song I really love. It naturally connects to Shabbat because of its content. But today, thank God, I don’t listen to much music anymore. Mostly I listen to Hasidic niggunim. Honestly, they’re what kept me grounded during my return to Judaism. There’s something magical about a wordless Hasidic melody. You can feel the holiness of the time it was written. It’s like being present at the original hitva’adut where it was first sung.

There’s one melody I hum to myself often on Shabbat called ‘Niggun for Shabbat and Yom Tov.’ There are several with that name, but this particular one really resonates with me.”

Who would you want to host or be hosted by on Shabbat?
“The most magical Shabbats I’ve had were in Tzfat, at the home of Rabbi Ofer Midovnik. Once, after shul on Shabbat afternoon, he began to make kiddush and suddenly burst into tears. His kids asked, ‘Daddy, what’s wrong?’ And he said he was overwhelmed because the cantor’s prayer was so moving. That moment touched something deep in my soul.

If I could choose someone new to spend Shabbat with, it would be Rabbi Yoram Abergel. Not because I know him personally—I’m not great with names of big rabbis—but I’ve heard so many wonderful things about him. If everyone speaks so highly of him, he must be something special.

And if I could host someone? I’d choose Gideon Levy. People love to hate him lately. But I believe if he experienced one true Shabbat and saw the love and family connection in a life of Jewish faith, he’d understand what he’s missing.”

What sets Shabbat apart from the rest of the week?
“On Shabbat, I completely lose track of time. Friday afternoon, before candle lighting, I’m overcome by a strange fatigue, like my soul senses Shabbat approaching and my body is trying to resist it. It always reminds me that we’re in Ikveta de-Meshicha, the final stage of exile. On one hand, the darkness of exile is overwhelming. But on the other hand, Moshiach is just around the corner.

Once Shabbat enters, everything shifts. My body floats, time disappears, and I can walk slowly down the street humming a niggun (Jewish tune)… it’s pure peace.”

What’s the first thing you do on Motzaei Shabbat?
“The first thing I do is check the news online. Not because it’s ideal, but because we’re living in volatile times. The security situation is fragile. Since I don’t hear any updates during Shabbat, I feel the need to check in and make sure everything’s okay, especially with our soldiers and the communities in the south.”

About Shai Dibo-Cohen

Shai Dibo-Cohen, 33, is a musician who officially began his career three years ago, although music has been in his blood since childhood. Before launching his own musical journey, he worked behind the scenes in the industry, managing venues like Zappa Tel Aviv and Reading 3, and even working at Helicon Records in artist promotion.

A year and a half ago, Shai’s life took a dramatic turn as he began reconnecting with Judaism. He left his high-powered industry roles, began learning Torah, and continued creating music, this time from a deeper place, “from the inner light of the Jewish soul,” as he puts it.

Since then, he has released nine singles that have gained wide airplay across Israeli radio, and he even appeared on The Voice. Today, he proudly identifies as a follower of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, sharing Hasidic teachings while preparing for his debut album, an authentic fusion of his two greatest passions: Torah and music.