Don't miss: Life 300 years ago in Rabbi Mendel Rata's 'Mincha' music video

December 27, 2016   

He burst into consciousness with his moving songs, thought-provoking articles, and his guitar-accompanied Izvica Torah lessons, as well as the music videos in which he starred - Rabbi Mendel Rata, son of the Shmore Emunim Rebbe, a young comedy star, and a Hasidic revolutionary. The song "Mincha" was recorded in the US together with the "Shira" choir, and the music video was filmed in Ukraine, in an impressive and inspiring film production. Over 50 actors took part in the video, which provides a glimpse into the lives of typical characters in a town 300 years ago. The rich and the poor, the vendor and the shopper, all stop the flow of their day for the Mincha prayer. Rabbi Mendel Rata has recently been labeled as a man of original ideas who strives to present the teachings of Hasidism with grace and grace, in a way that speaks to the younger generation, as the Baal Shem Tov aspired. Indeed, thousands of people, especially young people, identify with his unique path that combines the authentic and original Hasidism of the Baal Shem Tov with a modern and topical approach that captures their hearts. The song "Mincha" is based on the idea expressed by the Baal Shem Tov in relation to that Jew who stands in the marketplace, preoccupied with his work and seemingly forgetting his Creator, but when sunset arrives, he sighs: "Oh, what will happen to Mincha?" - and rushes to pray, even in solitude and without full concentration. According to the Baal Shem Tov, that sigh that comes from the depths of the heart pierces all the heavens. Rabbi Mendel is a tenth generation descendant of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic movement. According to him, Hasidism in the last generation has degenerated and petrified, and there is a need to renew the movement and breathe new content and spirit into it. "The time has come to return to the true sources," he says. Principles such as independent spiritual search, self-realization and the fulfillment of talents, a return to nature, seeing holiness in the beauty of creation, in art, music, and even technology and media - with correct and wise use, all of these reflect, in his opinion, the true path of Hasidism. He composed the song "Mincha" during his stay in Borough Park. "I entered the grocery store and heard the grocer ask his friend in Yiddish, 'How long can we still pray Mincha'... I went out into the street and hummed the new song to myself." When he met his friend Eli Shafray, a member of the 'Shira' choir, and the one responsible for the vocal arrangements of the song, they decided to record the melody in collaboration with the Shira Choir, under the direction and musical arrangement of the duo Hezki Breuer and Mandy Hershkowitz. From there, R. Mendel played the song to the famous singer Shlomi Gertner, who immediately connected with the song and even named his new album after him - 'Mencha'. The video was produced by Shalom Eisenbach, who served as a consultant and accompanist on the famous series 'Shtisel'. Credits: Composition, lyrics, and vocals: Mendel Rata Voices: Shira Choir Song production and vocal arrangement: Eli Shafray Musical arrangement: Hezki Breuer - Mandy Hershkowitz Mix: Yaniv Blass Production: Shalom Eisenbach Screenplay: Ariel Cohen Direction: Alex Osmolevsky Editing: Benny Shklovsky