Leonard’s Rapid Bio

Leonard Norman Cohen, born on September 21, 1934, in Westmount, Quebec, into an Orthodox Jewish family, was the son of Marsha (née Klonitsky) and Nathan Cohen. His family’s deep connection to Jewish tradition deeply influenced him. His maternal grandfather, Rabbi Solomon Klonitsky-Kline, was a renowned Talmudic scholar, and his father instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility and ethics. Cohen’s upbringing in a household filled with Hebrew prayers, liturgical melodies, and Jewish teachings shaped his artistic vision and spiritual outlook. 

From an early age, Cohen displayed a talent for writing and an interest in music. He attended McGill University where he studied English literature and published his first poetry collection, Let Us Compare Mythologies, in 1956. His literary career flourished with works like The Spice Box of Earth (1961) and the experimental novel Beautiful Losers (1966), which established him as a leading voice in Canadian literature. 

At age 33, Cohen transitioned to music, inspired by Bob Dylan’s success and by the willingness to reach a broader audience. His debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), featured iconic tracks like Suzanne and So Long Marianne. His poetic lyrics, often infused with themes of love, loss, and spirituality, resonated deeply with audiences. His most iconic songs Hallelujah (1984) and Who by Fire (1974) were heavily influenced by Jewish liturgy and themes, reflecting Cohen’s ability to merge personal and universal spiritual experiences. 

Cohen’s spiritual journey was as multifaceted as his art. While he spent many years studying Zen Buddhism and became an ordained monk in the 1980s, he remained deeply connected to his Jewish roots (famously making chicken soup for the monks). His later works, particularly You Want it Darker (2016), reflected profound meditations on morality and faith, incorporating Hebrew prayers and a deep exploration of his Jewish identity. 

Over six decades, Cohen’s career earned him global acclaim, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Beyond his artistic contributions, Cohen’s humility and introspection made him a beloved figure. He passed away on November 7, 2016, at the age of 82. Today, Leonard Cohen is remembered not only as a masterful poet and musician but also as a deeply spiritual and profoundly human voice whose work continues to inspire generations.

Leonard’s Five Lessons

1. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in

Leonard Cohen’s iconic lyrics from Anthem remind us that imperfections aren't flaws to be hidden – they are where the magic happens. For Cohen, the “cracks” in life– our struggles, mistakes, and vulnerabilities –are what let the light shine through. This wasn't just a poetic idea for him; it was the backbone of his music and life. In songs like Hallelujah, he captured the beauty in brokenness, showing us that even in our darkest moments, there's grace to be found. Cohen wasn't chasing perfection. He reworked his songs endlessly, trusting that the process and its related messiness would lead him to something real and powerful.

2. I have tried in my way to be free

This lyric from Cohen’s Bird on the Wire captures his lifelong quest for freedom — freedom of thought, spirit, and self-expression. For Cohen, being “free” didn’t mean breaking all constraints but finding authenticity with the tensions of life. His Jewish heritage deeply influenced this perspective. Rooted in traditions that valued questioning and introspection, Cohen embraced the duality of freedom and responsibility. Whether wrestling with divine questions in Hallelujah or infusing Hebrew prayers into You Want it Darker, he sought liberation not by rejecting his roots but by engaging with them. Leonard Cohen envisioned freedom as a movement forward, not as a diversion or escape. Cohen remained deeply rooted in the universal values instilled by his grandfather and father, using these values to push himself to grow, developing a legacy of genius and perpetual songwriting and interpretation. His journey wasn't about escaping, it was about creating meaning through his connection to self, community, and spirit.

3. You want it darker

The haunting lyrics and title of Leonard Cohen’s final album, You Want It Darker, reflect his fearless confrontation with morality, faith, and the complexities of the human condition. Released just weeks before his death, the song is a meditation on impermanence and surrender. Filled with Jewish liturgical references, including the Hineni (“Here I am”) prayer – a declaration of readiness to serve God or accept fate – the song captures Cohen’s acceptance of life’s inevitable end and his willingness to face it on his own terms. Yet, the song is not without struggle. It wrestles with doubt, questioning divine justice and the nature of suffering, even as it remains steeped in worship and awe. Cohen’s ability to balance devotion and defiance, light and darkness, made this track a culmination of his lifelong search for meaning.

4. Ring the bells that still can ring

From Cohen’s Anthem, “Ring the bells that still can ring” reminds the importance of making the most of what's available, even when circumstances are not ideal. For Cohen it wasn't about waiting for perfect tools or timing, it was about using what you do have to create meaning and move forward. He understood that we don’t live in an ideal world, but that shouldn't stop us from taking action. Whether navigating creative blocks, financial struggles, or the challenges of aging, Cohen consistently worked with what remained, rather than lamenting what was lost. This lyric isn't about striving for perfection, it is a call to recognize what is still possible and find strength in what’s left to do. With the sound of the rings, Cohen delivered an ode to purposeful and deliberate action, emphasizing the power of focusing solely on what matters. He reminded us that, regardless of the tools at hand, we have the ability to act and create impact, proving that intention and effort can transcend limitations. 

5. Dance me to the end of love

Cohen’s Dance Me to the End of Love is a moving reflection on love, creativity, and the fragile nature of everything we think lasts. While often celebrated as a romantic ballad, the emblematic song’s deeper origins are rooted in a traumatic historical reality: the stories of Jewish musicians in Nazi concentration camps who were forced to play string quartets as victims marched to their deaths. For Leonard, this act of creating beauty in the face of unimaginable suffering embodied the resilience of the human spirit. It was not just an act of survival, but of defiance, choosing to create meaning and dignity in a moment designed to strip it away. In Dance Me to the End of Love, Cohen transforms this tragedy into something universal: a call to hold on to love and creativity as a way to find intimacy and spirituality, even when confronted with life’s darkest moments. 

The Quote of the Week

More About Leonard Cohen

We spent the week listening to every song Leonard Cohen has ever written. Here is our ultimate top 3 — the ones we think everyone should listen to.