This morning a different article appeared in the newspaper La Nación (See noteHe is a priest who is also a musician. And not only a musician, but, within the spectrum of music itself, a heavy metal singer...
For Jews, this is not something new, since not long ago everyone was talking about Rabbi Matitiahu, a religious reggae singer who toured and performed concerts all over the world (even in Argentina!) bringing his music and message.
Singing Rabbi and Singing Priest... the obvious question is, what's the difference?
Of course, the intention is not to offend or discredit anyone, but simply to draw attention to a Jewish concept that differs from the general conception of the religion.
The general idea is that a person who believes in God has certain obligations to Him. From both Jewish and non-Jewish perspectives, each religion has its own laws and customs. A person, in a sense, "fulfills" (or not, God forbid) these obligations to God by adhering to this set of laws and customs. But once the specific obligations for a given time are fulfilled, the person is free to do as they please with their life. In other words, the focus is on the individual's independence from God; certain aspects of their life are governed by Divine laws, while others are not.
The Jewish view is different. All aspects of life are subject to God.
For example, the Torah says, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." Our sages say that this verse implies an obligation to work for six days and then rest on Shabbat. In other words, who said we have to work during the week and rest one day? God, in the Torah! If it weren't so, perhaps we would work less, or more—who knows?
Even matters that seem so obvious, because the world and society constantly teach and practice them, the Jew does them (when appropriate) because the Torah so indicates.
With this idea in mind, we can understand the difference between the Rabbi and the Priest: If one examines Matitiahu's song lyrics, one will find very clear messages regarding the observance of the commandments, the imminent arrival of the Messiah, and other matters that are fundamental to the life of every human being in general and the Jewish people in particular. Music, the stage, and the microphone in front of thousands of people (Jewish and non-Jewish) become tools for conveying a message that encompasses the very existence of the individual. On the other hand, in the article, the Priest says things like, "I don't sing to preach; I do it because the music is beautiful.".
Judaism is all-encompassing, and within that framework God gives us free will so that with our own capacity and potential, we make the life He gives us and constantly renews, along with everything that surrounds us, a dwelling place for Him.