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Bob Dylan: A Messianic Jew

By Toby Janicki | Comments (19) | Posted on February 1, 2007

The background (or "wallpaper") on my computer's desktop screen is a blurry picture of a man in desperate need of a haircut, wearing tefillin. People often say, "Cool picture, but who is that?" When I tell that it's Bob Dylan at the Western Wall attending his son's bar mitzvah, I get a mix of reactions that range from "I didn't know he was Jewish" to "Who's Bob Dylan?"

I was first introduced to Bob Dylan at, of all places, a Christian summer camp. Although I was too young to realize the impact Dylan had had on the culture and politics of the 1960's, I thoroughly enjoyed his anthemic songs such as "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and "Blowing in the Wind."

When I got home from camp I was pleased to find a few of Bob Dylan's records among my father's record collection, but what surprised me the most was the Gospel album entitled "Slow Train Coming." Unbeknown to me, Dylan had produced three Gospel albums from 1979 to 1981 after a born again experience in which he said that the Master came and visited him personally. I immediately wondered whether he was still a believer.

Recently I found the book Restless Pilgrim: The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan, coincidentally at my father's house. In it the author describes a man who has often been misunderstood on his biblical faith journey. The entertainment business would not accept the fact that their cultural icon had become a believer in Messiah Yeshua. While Dylan preached to his crowds in 1979 about the need to repent and turn to the Lord, it was him that fans and critics viewed as Judas. It is not surprising that after only three Gospel albums, which included three years of relentless persecution from the media, Bob Dylan hid his face from the public eye. Author Scott Marshall writes in his book of these years:

Perhaps the second verse of Dylan's 1962 song, "Mixed-Up Confusion," best summarizes the situation: "Well, there's too many people / And they're all too hard to please." (p. 69)

Yet besides the newspaper critics and the fans, probably the biggest obstacle that Bob Dylan faced was trying to be a believer in Yeshua and still actively practice his Jewish roots. Dylan was born to a Jewish family in Duluth, MN and his Hebrew name is Shabtai Zisel ben Avraham. As difficult as this is for Jewish people today, it was even harder in the early eighties. To most people it was either belief in Yeshua or Judaism.

Seemingly, every foray into the Jewish arena is interpreted as flat-out return to Judaism, a renunciation of the truth of Jesus Christ that he confessed more than two decades ago. (p. 179)

Here's a great example of this apparent dichotomy. In the fall of 2001 Dylan spent the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, at a Chabad House in Encino, CA. Then he began his tour in early 2002 with the overt gospel tune "Hallelujah, I'm Ready to Go," a song that speaks of a "wonderful Savior to know." The next night he opened with the song "I Am the Man, Thomas." This song covers the story where the Master reveals Himself to a doubting Thomas and declares:

Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. (John 20:29)

For Dylan it was not an either/or scenario between Judaism and Christianity. He was comfortable with a world that drew from both.

As I read the story of Dylan's spiritual life, I began to appreciate him more and more. I saw a man who struggled with his identity much like we do today--stuck in between Christianity and Judaism. Like with Dylan, many misinterpret our actions as either too Jewish or too Christian. For me, in Dylan's words I often find the heartbeat of man who seems to often times know the Master better than I.

Even so, as far ahead of the pack as Dylan traveled, there's something almost first century about him. It's not hard to imagine Bob Dylan sitting under the teaching of the Master on a Palestine hillside, listening attentively, questioning respectfully, analyzing thoughtfully. Could it be that this is where Dylan has been getting his insights all along? (p. xvii)

Over the years Dylan has continued to infuse the biblical text into his songs. It is estimated that between 1979 and 1990 sixty-seven out of the eighty songs he wrote contained allusions to the Bible. As a person, Yeshua Himself was not known to answer questions straightforwardly. So too with Dylan, who dodges them left and right. He has developed it into such an art that any imitation of this style is often labeled "dylanesque." It seems the only way to find out what's in his head is to listen to his music.

If it's really all right there in the music, then Bob Dylan is without a doubt a man who continues to express faith in Jesus while holding on to his Jewish heritage. (p. 180)

About the Author: Toby Janicki is a teacher, writer and speaker for FFOZ. He is also a writer for messiah magazine and the author of the Restoration Workbook and a new book on the Mezuzah.

Visitor Comments

When I finished reading "Restless Pilgrim" I had a tremendous urge to send Bob Dylan a box of messiah magazines.

I felt certain that in his long and winding road (ooops, sorry, wrong pop music star), he had a similar faith journey as I, drawing the same conclusions as I did.

Here are a few of my favorite Dylan quotes from the book:

"You're nobody if you don't get bood sometime."

"...if I'm going to do anything in life, I want to go as deeep as I can."

"I didn't really choose to do what you see me doing. I was chosen for it..."

If anyone out there happens to be friends with Dylan, let him know that I'd still be happy to get him some magazines...

Posted by: Hope | February 2, 2007 3:20 AM

Shabbat Shalom, Toby, bless you for having the courage to post what some people would undoubtably label anathema as they would not understand nor would they choose to believe.

We want to get into the Torah Club, but moving across the country and now living in NC, we are looking at when we can start.

Blessings in Y'shua. Paul Elder

Posted by: Paul Elder | February 3, 2007 2:38 AM

Shalom Toby,
Cool blog subject, being a long time Dylan fan and having been encouraged as a young believer by "Slow train", and now as a Messianic, I can appreciate your thoughts, thanks.
May HaShem somehow renew "Bob" and and allow him to find the growing Torah movement, and find open arms to be encourged.
Blessings to you Ahki!
Ed R.

Posted by: Ed Rowley | February 5, 2007 12:40 AM

Hi Toby, Daniel Botkin here. I've been a Dylan fan since I was about 15. One of his first songs to really touch me around 1965 was "Gates of Eden." (Does that surprise you?) I read "Restless Pilgrim" a few years ago. If you haven't heard Dylan's latest album, "Modern Times," I suggest you get it and listen especially to the last song, "Ain't Talking."

Posted by: Daniel Botkin | February 6, 2007 7:31 AM

Daniel,

I never knew that's where you got the name for "Gates of Eden". Who would have known? That's great.

I have listened to "Ain't Talkin". I love the opening line:

"As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine
I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain
Someone hit me from behind"

Sounds like he's talking about Yeshua to me.

Shalom,
Toby

Posted by: Toby Janicki | February 6, 2007 3:32 PM

I love hearing about him talking to other Dylan fans. Its a little odd how I feel about him, like preaching is such an art form and his giftedness was to proclaim the gospel, its very fitting that he is also Jewish. Maybe others feel the same way, I know that his gospel music had a profound effect on me since I didn't know him as the "protest, folk musician". I have only known him as an evangelist, an extremely gifted rock star evangelist! My mother was in love with him too, btw, funny how our parents generation was influenced by him as well.
AT

Posted by: Audrey Trepiccione | February 6, 2007 6:44 PM

As a long time Dylan fan I have seen that inspiring picture of Bob wearing tefillin at the wailing wall. I have followed his career since a concert in Greensboro, NC in 1979 where he sang a song saying "this is about my hero".. it was "In the Garden" I was amazed, some people were rude, but most just listened respectfully. Later people were saying he had be come a Christian and after seeing him in Jerusalem began saying he wasn't anymore! I knew in my heart after reading in "Bob Dylan in his own words" by Christian Williams him say that Jesus was Lord of his life, that he would always be a true beliver in messiah. He also says it would have been a lot eaiser if he became something else! I can only imagine. I look at his travel schedule, which is heavier than ever, and I pray for him every where he goes. Audrey

Posted by: Audrey Trepiccione | February 6, 2007 7:07 PM

For any Dylan fans who are interested, I've done a few Dylan-inspired works of art, some of which can be seen at my web site, www.danielbotkin.com. Go to the "Recent Works" gallery and you'll see "Motorcycle Black Madonna With Grey Flannel Dwarf," inspired by a line from Dylan's song Gates of Eden ("The motorcycle black madonna, two-wheeled gypsy queen, and her silver-studded phantom cause the grey flannel dwarf to scream, as he weeps to wicked birds of prey who pick up on his breadcrumb sins")

Posted by: Daniel Botkin | February 7, 2007 8:17 AM

Toby:

Great article. Really made me think. Put an article on my blog called "Why Bob Dylan Probably Would Not Attend a Messianic Congregation." I'm not sure if you allow links, so I won't put a link here.

Derek Leman

Posted by: Derek Leman | February 8, 2007 11:07 PM

Daniel, I loved the artwork! Very real picture of the song.

Posted by: Toby Janicki | February 8, 2007 11:24 PM

Shalom,
Very interesting take. I do keep up with you once in a while. As with you, I am a little young for his music, but do enjoy the man. Well done!

Posted by: Ray | February 12, 2007 1:50 AM

Hey, Toby would you mind sending me that picture of Bob Dylan. Thanks for coming to Beth Tikkun. I enjoyed the confrence.

Vic Agosta

Posted by: Vic Agosta | February 12, 2007 2:20 AM

Stuck inside a mobile with the Memphis blues again...

I had a psychedelic cardboard mobile hanging over the baby crib in the early 1970’s. I used to hear that Dylan song and ponder what he meant by being stuck inside a mobile. I figured he had a bad LSD trip or something.

Only recently, while traveling through Mobile, Alabama did it dawn on me that the lyrics referred to the city! Stuck inside *of* Mobile, yearning to get to Memphis (probably for the music).

It is always fun to try to figure out his cryptic lyrics, especially in relation to his faith. He uses many Biblical phrases and allusions.

Does anyone know who he is referring to as Jokerman? I don’t know if he’s talking about Yeshua, himself, or the devil. That album (Infidels) may have been an agnostic phase of his journey. He still seems pretty confused. And he “ain’t talkin (except cryptically) just walkin.”

Shalom,

Maureen

Posted by: Maureen | February 12, 2007 2:03 PM

Maureen,

In the book "Restless Pilgrim" the author insists that Bob is still a strong believer during the "Infidels" album and I have heard it said that this was his fourth gospel album. I looked over the lyrics again abut it is difficult to tell who he is talking about. The album is loaded with Biblical lyrics both from the Tanakh and Apostolic Scriptures.

By the way, very interesting way to look at "Ain't Talkin' Just Walkin'", perhaps that is the key!

Shalom,
Toby

Posted by: Toby Janicki | February 12, 2007 3:27 PM

I was very intrigued by the book "No Compromise" by Melody Green. It is a biography of her husband, Keith who dies at 28 years old. He was a very gifted musician on his way to stardom when he became a believer in the 70's. At one point in the book, Melody talks about spending some time with Bob Dylan and sharing with him about the L-rd. But he did not become a believer at that point and she wondered (as did I) what ever happened to him spiritually. Now I know.

Ellen Pitts

Posted by: Ellen | February 14, 2007 8:53 PM

Well this article got me to thinking that I needed to come out of the closet and announce to the world that I too am a Dylan fan. It happened rather recently and I'm excited to share about the ways that Dylan's music has aided in evangelism globally. I'm just learning how his music has affected so many. It's exciting to see for sure. Anyway, I wrote up my Dylan conversion experinces and thought all the FFOZ Dylan fans might like to read:

How I became a Bob Dylan fan over a cup of coffee

PS - Toby, miss ya man! Feel the love from India... ;-)

Posted by: Rodney Giles | February 24, 2007 1:16 PM

how do i join your blog? I have several materials from FFOZ. I believe your teachings are balanced. Yes we are a messianic group based in the city of manila philippines. Hoping for your reply. re joining your blog?

shalom
bro aike aizon

Posted by: bro aike aizon | June 24, 2007 10:58 AM

i have been a fan, geez i hate that word for so long,
became saved at vineyard, just as bob dylan did....but
we are now a messianic congregation.....we are grafted in
with the chosen people by the blood of yeshua....it has
added such a joy and depth to my spiritual walk .... we are a small group about 100 souls, located in crestline,ca in the san bernardino mtns....couple hours from los angeles.....i have prayed for dylan that he was in touch
with the messianic movement....i believe and am given much shalom that he is.....in yeshua's love....doral

Posted by: doral cardwell | February 26, 2008 1:54 PM

I love this blog, Toby.

Lately, I have been impressed again by the timeless relevance of Dylan's craft.

"Neighborhood Bully," for example, from the Infidels album is a rallying cry for Israel and all those who love her.

Shabbat Shalom

**Toby's Response:** That is one of my favorite Dylan songs. I also appreciate Union Sundown on that album. Very relevant today as well.

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