Matisyahu Beard.0: the Jewish reggae star is bringing the beard back

Matisyahu and son, via his Twitter.

It’s been years since Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu was Lubavitch. And in December he dropped the Chasidic label, too. That came with a clear symbolic act: he shaved his glorious beard.

At the time he said:

I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart.  I am reclaiming myself.  Trusting my goodness and my divine mission

Fans were concerned that this was an indication of personal spiritual struggles. Maybe they’ll take peace in this news: Matisyahu is bringing the beard back. That much can be seen from the image (right) that he tweeted.

So why the change of heart? Did Matisyahu just need a change of pace? Or is he indicating another spiritual shift?