The popular song “Od Yoter Tov” has stirred sharp criticism from one of the most respected figures in authentic Jewish music. Renowned composer and marbitz Torah Rav Hillel Paley, known for penning many classic niggunim that have become staples in the world of Yiddishe music, delivered a scathing critique of the hit, comparing it unfavorably to the controversial “Bishilton HaKoifrim.”
In a special Yom Tov interview with Uri Cohen on the Kol Play radio station, Rav Paley spoke out against what he described as a troubling trend in wedding music and the broader state of Jewish musical culture. “If weddings were still filled with songs that carried meaning and depth, songs focused on the simchas chosson v’kallah, and then suddenly someone introduced Bishilton HaKoifrim, I would say something’s off. We weren’t raised on this. This isn’t something yeshivos ever spoke about. It was never meant to be the main message. Torah is the ikkar,” he said.
Lamenting the spiritual decline in wedding atmospheres, Rav Paley added, “So what happened to our community? How did we end up with Bishilton HaKoifrim? Unfortunately, and painfully, today’s weddings feature very little of the joy of chosson v’kallah, and a lot of whatever happens to be trending. The thing that sits on top of the garbage heap is what becomes the song of the night. It could be Umeianiach B’kedusha with a dance, one singer performs it and everyone follows. It’s shallowness. It’s katnus hamochin—a diminished mindset.”
Turning his attention to “Od Yoter Tov”, Rav Paley didn’t hold back. “Before Bishilton HaKoifrim, there was this bizarre hit called Od Yoter Tov—which, by the way, I believe is far worse. This whole language—once we said, ‘Hashem, we love You,’ and now we’ve upgraded: ‘You love us!’ Are you speaking in the name of the Ribbono Shel Olam? This is a type of expression we’ve never heard before. I understand if baalei teshuvah want to sing it, but what does that have to do with a ben Torah? When was this ever our language? I have strong criticism of this song. In my view, it has no place in the beis midrash and no place among those who are lomdei Torah. And if everyone’s singing it? That’s just a trend.”
Rav Paley concluded with a sobering observation and a note of hope. “Od Yoter Tov ended—it was a plastic shelf song, and with Hashem’s help, we’ll soon forget it ever existed. Then came Bishilton HaKoifrim. This isn’t about zealotry or extremism. It’s about a serious problem of shallowness. But with every descent, there’s hope. Maybe we’ll emerge into great light and return to true songs—songs of kedushah, hallel, and hoda’ah.”
{Matzav.com Israel}