Gad Elbaz

Gad Elbaz (Hebrew: גד אלבז; born 1982) is an Israeli singer and songwriter renowned for his contributions to contemporary Jewish music, blending traditional melodies, biblical texts, and modern pop with Middle Eastern rhythms to promote themes of faith, unity, and spiritual inspiration. Rising to prominence as a leading figure in the global Jewish music scene, Elbaz has achieved international acclaim through hit singles like "Halayla Zeh Hazman" and "Or," millions of YouTube views, and sold-out performances that bridge religious and secular audiences.

Born in Rehovot, Israel, Elbaz discovered his passion for music early, beginning to sing and compose at age four. He first entered the public eye performing alongside his father, Benny Elbaz, a prominent Israeli singer, on four collaborative CDs. Elbaz's solo career launched in 1998 with the album Walk in a Straight Path, marking the start of a prolific discography that includes Light at the End of the Tunnel (2003), Meanings (2005), Almost Quiet (2006), Between the Drops (2007), the double live album Live at Caesarea (2008), Words of Spirit (2013), Nigun Umizmor (2014), and Ze Hayom (2014).

Gad Elbaz was born on August 20, 1982, in Rehovot, Israel. He was raised in a Moroccan Jewish family, with his parents having immigrated from Morocco to Israel as part of the broader wave of North African Jewish repatriation.

The family's Moroccan Jewish descent contributed to a rich cultural heritage in Israel, incorporating Sephardic traditions such as piyyutim (liturgical poems) and communal celebrations that reflected their North African roots within the Israeli context. As the eldest child in a large family, Elbaz grew up in Nes Ziona, where the blend of heritage and family dynamics laid the foundation for his personal development.

Gad Elbaz began his musical journey at the age of four, when he started singing duets with his father, Benny Elbaz, a renowned Israeli singer in the Mizrahi genre. Their collaboration produced the hit song "Aba Otcha Ani Ohev" (Father, I Love You), which showcased young Gad's budding vocal talents alongside his father's established style. This early duet was featured on one of their four collaborative CDs, marking one of the first recorded outputs of Gad's involvement in music.