What do Yosef Kardoner, Simply Tzfat, Yisrael Dagan, and Avraham Abutboul all have in common? Plenty; their music is honey from the portals of kedusha, they're all from Eretz Yisroel, they all immerse themselves in a mikva every morning, they all talk to Hashem every single day, and they're all Breslever chassidim.
Internationally, Avraham Abutboul isn't quite the household word that the other aforementioned names are; that doesn't mean that he takes a back seat to anyone. He's a brilliant composer whose music oozes with emotion.
Eight short years ago, Avraham Abutboul was one of secular Israel's favorite actors and singers. But, the magnitude of his shining neshama needed a lot more nutrition than what the stage, the theater, and Tel Aviv's Bohemian coffee-house circuit could give him. In short, Avraham became a Baal Tshuva, a student at "Chut shel Chessed" - Rav Shalom Arush's yeshiva in Jerusalem, and a Breslever chassid.
"Chut shel Chessed" in recent years has become a spiritual magnet for actors and musicians. Shuli Rand, award-winning star of Ushpizin, is also a student of Rav Arush's. In Ushpizin, Avraham Abutboul made his cinema comeback as a Haredi, starring alongside Shuli.
Avraham writes his own music, and applies the heavenly words of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev to his own divine strains. If you can imagine a Chassidic Leonard Cohen with the strumming ability of a Joan Baez, you can begin to understand where Avraham is coming from. His "Beit HaKedusha" takes the words of "Restore my Soul" and literally lifts you off the ground. The words, paraphrasing Rebbe Nachman, say: "If one is strong in gravitating toward Hashem, no matter what, then ultimately Hashem will have compassion, and draw him into the midst of holiness." Listen to it right here - you'll feel like running straight into Hashem's open arms, with tears running down your cheeks.
Avraham and Lazer in a Jerusalem recording studio; Lazer's holding Avi's latest two CD's.
As of now, Avraham doesn't have anyone marketing his CD's in the USA, UK, or Europe. If you're interested in purchasing copies for yourself or wholesaling to others, give him a call at 972-52-3463359. The more CD's he sells, the more he'll be able to concentrate on his Torah learning. Besides, Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches that listening to music from an upright musician is conducive to yir'as shamayim. Avraham Abutboul's sweet strains will certainly uplift you; they sure give me a boost!
