Israeli singer-songwriter Yair Levi sat down with JubileeCast during his visit to Nashville to talk about his new song "Back to You (Sabbath)," what Shabbat really means in Hebrew, and the unexpected journey that turned a Navy SEAL commander into a bridge between two faiths.
JubileeCast: It's good to have you here in Nashville. How do you feel about being back?
Yair: It's one of the best places I know in the U.S. The first time I came here, I was really surprised; there were a lot of stereotypes from a lot of sides. But I saw people on the streets saying hello and good morning, and I was like, where am I? I love Nashville, and I'm so honored to be here.
JubileeCast: Your new song "Back to You Sabbath" is coming out at a heavy time globally. What's the story behind writing it?
Yair: My management sent me to meet and write with Ryan Hall; he wrote: "Worthy of It All." I didn't know who he was. I just went to his prayer room in Franklin and it started very much like, " Who are you? But after a beautiful conversation, he said, "Let's write a song about Sabbath." I said, What? Are you Jewish? He started asking me what the Sabbath means in our tradition. I told him: " It's the source of all blessings. It's a time to reset your soul. And then he just started writing everything, and after a couple of minutes, I was like, okay, we got a song.
JubileeCast: What does the word Sabbath actually carry in Hebrew?
Yair: The song comes from six or seven different Hebrew words. Shabbat is also l'shevet - to sit. It's also l'shuv - to come back. It's also l'sboah, like being satisfied when you eat. One word in Hebrew can mean so many things. People think Sabbath is only about rest or escaping something. But Sabbath is also l'shuv - to come back. In Western society, we feel like the more we go out chasing blessings, the better. But Sabbath teaches that all blessings come from family, resting, and being home. Stop for a moment. Talk to God. That will bring you the blessing to go out. It's a different way to see it.
JubileeCast: That sounds more directional than today's self-care conversation, which actually points back to God.
Yair: Exactly. Rest could be watching Netflix for five hours or going hiking, very inclusive. But the faith-based Sabbath is directional. It's back to God, back to you. We even put Sabbath in the middle of the week spiritually.
From Sunday through Tuesday, we carry the energy from the last Shabbat. From Wednesday through Friday, we're already preparing for the next one. You get a blessing to walk three days with that spiritual energy, and then you start to prepare yourself again.
JubileeCast: How do you feel about being a bridge between Judaism and Christianity, especially on topics where the two faiths don't agree?
Yair: All of us are waiting for the Messiah. I was amazed to see how many things we have in common. The problems started with politics and power. But when you meet the people, okay, you believe the Messiah will come this way, and I believe this way. Let's come together and pray.
There is a huge movement right now of Christians wanting to understand the Hebrew roots of their Bible, and the more they study, the more they say, "Wait, I'm much closer to the people of Israel than I thought." Including me, I used to think all Christians were under the Pope, or that their goal was to convert me. But 99% of the people I meet, that's not them. I'm trying to be a bridge.
When I come to the U.S., I tell the story of the people of Israel. When I go home, I tell the story of the beautiful Christian communities I've met. People come to me after shows and say, "I'm 70 years old, and I've been praying for Israel my whole life. I've never met an Israeli person." It's unbelievable. These are allies in a spiritual war. The more we understand that, the more we will win together.
JubileeCast: What's your advice to young artists trying to make it today?
Yair: Be open to adjusting. I had a band at 16. At 18, I went into the Israeli army and spent eight years as a commander in the Israeli Navy SEALs. I know, I don't look like it. Then I quit to pursue music, had songs on mainstream radio, and collaborations with big names in Israel. Then COVID hit, and everything was canceled.
My grandma got ill, I wrote a song for her, and it went viral. Suddenly, all these new people were singing along, and honestly, at first, I said, "I don't know them. Who are they?" But my wife told me, "It doesn't matter what you want. What matters is what God wants from you."
I even went to one of the biggest rabbis in the world, honestly hoping he would say no, and he said yes. I fought against this path for two years, like Jonah running from God. And by the way, I live in Jaffa, right near the port of Jonah. Every door you close is actually a new room you enter.
And when you feel this is what God wants from me, go for it. 100%.
JubileeCast: Thank you for these powerful words. In a world that is dividing, we need more bridges that bring communities together.
Yair: Thank you. Yeah.
Yair Levi's new single "Back to You (Sabbath)" is available now. Follow him on social media for updates on new releases and upcoming collaborations.
