Idan Raichel’s gift: the story behind the jewelry on "The Voice"
The singer and mentor gives every contestant who joins his team a special hamsa necklace. He now reveals the story that began at a vanished stall in Eilat when he was 22—a symbol that has become his signature.
The new season of "The Voice" has arrived with a refreshed panel of judges, while the legendary host Michael Aloni continues to support contestants behind the scenes. From the very first episodes, the participants have showcased impressive voices, capturing the audience's attention.
Dedicated viewers have surely noticed a special gesture from one of the mentors, singer Idan Raichel. Every time Raichel presses the button to turn his chair and select a contestant, he presents them with a personal gift.
The gift is a necklace with a hamsa-shaped pendant. Raichel explained the meaning behind the gesture:
"Before the show started, I thought that I wanted to give everyone who joins my team something from me, for luck. I created a mold of an exact copy, and we said: 'Let's make 18 of these hamsas for the 18 team members.'"
Raichel shared that the hamsa has been with him since the beginning of his musical journey:
"Many years ago, around the age of 22, I was walking in Eilat after a performance, back when I was a keyboardist for other singers. In the late afternoon, I stumbled upon a small jewelry stall and noticed this hamsa. It felt as if it were calling to me."
Raichel bought the pendant, but the next day, the stall had vanished.
"I returned to the same spot hoping to buy something else, but it was gone. I tried to find out who it was or where they went, but I couldn't track it down."
Since then, Raichel has made the hamsa a key part of his image:
"I put it on a black rubber cord so that back when I had dreadlocks, I could take it off easily without a clasp. It became so identified with me that people recognized me by it. It’s very prominent on the cover of the first 'Idan Raichel Project' album from 2002. Once, I was photographed only from the neck down, and people knew it was me immediately because of the necklace. It has accompanied me all the way."
