25 Million Streams and Three Sold-Out Arenas: How Ben Tzur Beat the Odds to Become a National Hero
Ben Tzur just made history at Menora Arena. With pure "Faith Pop" and a crowd ranging from ultra-Orthodox to secular, this Safed native turned a pop concert into a massive "Kiddush Hashem."
There are religious singers who perform for general audiences, and then there is Ben Tzur. On Saturday night, the artist achieved something unprecedented for a Religious Zionist singer: filling the iconic Menora Arena for the third time with a show that was unapologetically, 100% "Faith Pop."
The atmosphere didn't feel like a standard pop concert; it felt like a massive *Hitva'adut* (spiritual gathering). While other religious artists often "code" their lyrics to appeal to the masses, Ben Tzur doesn't compromise.
The 11,000-strong crowd, a vibrant tapestry of Haredim in black suits, Religious Zionists, and secular Israelis, roared lyrics like "Tataleh, purify us" and "Every delay is for the best" with the fervor of ancient prayers. At one point, the entire arena stopped to recite "Mizmor L'Todah" (A Psalm of Thanksgiving) in unison.
Ben Tzur’s rise is far from the "overnight sensation" trope. Raised in the northern city of Safed, he famously tried his luck on reality shows like The Next Star and The X Factor. On The Next Star, he failed to even "raise the screen."
Today, those rejections are a distant memory. During the show, Ben Tzur was presented with a special award for surpassing 25 million streams for his hit "Kol Akava L'Tova" (Every Delay is for the Best), a testament to the loyal audience that found him outside the traditional star-making machinery.
The evening reached an emotional peak during a tribute to Israel’s fallen soldiers. Ben Tzur hosted the parents of Omer Smadja z"l, Oren and Liat, dedicating a song to their son’s memory.
In a particularly moving moment during the song "Emunah" (Faith), dozens of flags featuring the faces of fallen soldiers were brought onto the stage. Ben Tzur paused the music to personally handle each flag, ensuring they were held upright, kissing them, and showing them to every corner of the arena. As the journalist on-site noted, he looked like a man "counting diamonds," taking his time with each one, regardless of the concert's schedule.
The show featured guest appearances from Eden Meiri, who performed their new collaboration "Baruch Hashem, Everything is Great," and saw Israeli soccer legend Eran Zahavi in the crowd. Ben Tzur also took a moment to dedicate "Hinech Yafa" to his fiancée, Shirel, and a special song to his mother.
Ultimately, the night proved that Ben Tzur is no longer just a singer; he is a phenomenon. In a time of deep division, his music has created a rare space where "Kiddush Hashem" (sanctifying God's name) is the main event, and everyone, no matter their level of observance, is invited to sing along.