Rabbi Shmuley Boteach: Michael Jackson threw his life away

Hi everybody. I think that Michael Jackson must known that is said in the Bible, (and i will try to translate from spanish): Don't throw pearls to the pigs. He trusted in many people, and he was betrayed for lots of them, who just make "monkey business" with him.

I've read half of Shmuley's book so far (I found a free PDF copy on the internet). The more I read it, the more I felt for Michael. Although I'm not religious, I thought that Michael could have found some spiritual peace with the Jewish faith. I'm outraged at Shmuley for taking emotional and spiritual advantage of him and one of the lowest points of his life. I guess there's snakes in all clergy in all religions. This man truly deserves to be stripped of his rabbi status. He betrayed a confidence for the sake of money and fame, and then stole from him to boot. I wonder if his wife still respects him, like he bragged about in his book "The Michael Jackson Tapes."

I am shocked as I read this book. It feels as if Schmuley has such jealousy and resentment against Michael. I sense the evil aptly described by Schmuley is Schmuley himself. In life Michael was right in leaving Schmuley behind, because in death this rabbi reveals himself to be what I'm sure Michael knew as a despicable self-righteous manipulator trying to fulfill his own agenda. Michael saw through you, Schmuley. Is this your revenge? Too bad your motives are so obvious. I hope no personal good comes to you from profits from the sale of this book. I'm sorry I bought it and am going to destroy it.

Rabbi Shmueli doesnt behave like a real friend of Michael.Why he said that he made crimes? why he said that Michael was guilty in child molestation ?? Im sorry rabbi but Michael found not guilty in this case and uri geller said that too that Michael will never do any harmful thing to a child.my dear rabbi if you realy mean what you say you never have been a loya, good friend of Michael. You betraied him.

Whenever there is money to be made you'll always find a Madoff licking his fingers.

I too appreciated Rabbi Sternfield's comments. I'd like to know if any action can be taken against Boteach to remove his Rabbi status. Has anyone asked for proof of consent to play the tapes on national media? It's my understanding, based on articles at the time, that they were working on a PARENTING book, not a confessional. And that MJ distanced himself when he learned that Boteach had bankrupted the charity before it was even launched. Any media sources checking facts?

Boteach deceived MJ in life and now in death, hence his name being on the "people to fear" list. Search Richard Friedman's articles on Boteach embezzling money from MJs charity. MJ distanced himself from Boteach, not the other way around. I hope there is some way for the estate to sue this man for exposing private counseling sessions. Boteach knows MJ would not have approved of playing these tapes for the world to here. You can make a saint into a devil by using comments out of context.

Thanks, Rabbi Sternfield. I felt the need to take another bath after watching rabbi shmuley on Dateline last night. I was certain that there should have been confidentiality regarding those conversations. Thank-you for the validation.

to all the bloggers. and Nastasha Mozgovaya thank u for posting my comments.i spelled a few words wrong and please forgive me.but as we all feel that mj was a accomplished artist he was a man that lost touch with reality in his last years.he trusted so many but they failed him but their is one who will not fail and that is GOD! he knew mjs pain and called him home.but yes it was to soon.if only mj. would have sought out the faith that his mother raised him in i feel that he would still be here.but do to the greed of the dr. he trusted and the drugs and the pain his judgement became cloudly but the love he gave and music shall live on thru his family and kids. and i pray that they remain or find their way to their mothers jewish faith.or jehovas witnesses or have a choice to make up their minds what faith that they choose to belong too. and dr klien should be ashamed of his self as well. now the kids will hear all the dirt against their beloved father that the know as michael jackson.

your right cause it takes one to know one.and the good rabbi gave out alot of advise but we dont hear his comments just mjs.hes throwing stones at a glass window the he made and only michael waws the one made to look out of.

so true! mj sought him for spiritual guidance in his time of need and the rabbi knew he was a gold mine. but then he grew to love him as a human being! rabbi shmuley should feel ashamed at what he has done and said and should know that he may not be trusted after this episode.he betrayed his oath as well as his faith,the world is suffering now with doubts about the jewish nation.but i still love israel and will continue to support the nation with my heart and soul and thoughts. i pray for shmuely as well cause maybe know he will know what it feels like to be betrayed by a friend because what goes around comes back around.

now that is a true rabbi speaking! not just as a professional but as a true spiritual guide.hopefully if enough rabbis speak out the rabbis wont be effected by one mans misguidance in revealing confidential conversations.

amen! i am a christian that loves the jewish nation.and im sure mj did too or else he would not have taken care of debbie rowe the way he did and does even in death hes still taking caring of his former wife,and im sure she still loves and misses him and wishes they were still married.

u r correct in ur thinking about the rabbi shmuley.after he heard about the list he came out with the book and tapes that should have been kept private.after all this time why come out with this now. as well as mjs former manager that knew about the so-called hit list.these folks are not caring about the fall-out that hurts the family left behind.he is a rabbi he must forgive and forget no do harm to the memory of a man that was once a friend he knew for along time.

so many fans,cults,& people loved mj.but what we fail to realize is that was a child star that had to carry his brothers to ame glory and riches.he never had a child hood so he befriended kids which was the down fall of his reputation so to speak.he was proven innocent in court but guilty in the eyes of the media land of people.but he ddid believe in the love of children the elderly and family unity. so if he slipped thru the cracks of injustice or jusctice the true lawery and judge is GOD ALMIGHTY.and i will always remember the little black child from gary indania who tried to heal the world with his love and dance and music.

yes the rabbi knew michael at at good time in mj life and he does have some info that does not sound good to hear but we must remember mj had gotten of track with viligo and he was taking care of his family and his self and the pressure got to him and he had in my opinion a nervous breakdown in the mind.he didnt realyy no who to trust.but i thaink the rabbi should not devulge the things of the past that could embarass the remaining living family especially the kids that he claimed as his own. only god can really judge mj dead or alive.

I believe that I also saw somewhere if I am not mistaken that the Rabbi is friends with Uri Geller...that should tell you something. I am not even a huge MJJ fan but I find this very disturbing. How can anyone truly trust your supposed spiritual advisers. Even if MJ was not being counseled he was still supposed to be a confidential friend

I know for a fact that Shmuley is a liar. Michael Jackson did not know that he was being taped and when MJ learned of the tapes he severed the relationship with Shmelly Buttocks. MJ thought he was receiving spiritual guidance. You will one day pay for your betrayal, Shmuley.

I'm a Christian who learn a great deal about the Jewish faith & love it throughout my life. One of the thing most attractive to me is openess to others and your great capacity for unconditional love even in the face of adversity.I said all of that to say thanks to the Rabbi who posted a response and to all the other posters on this site. As I read this article here and other website I cried-I cannot believe Rabbi Boteach would discuss information that MJJ discussed with him and knowing what MJJ went through as a child-violate the trust of MJJ children.These Children knew this Rabbi as their Father's friend and Spiritual adviser.All of these folks pretending to be MJJ's friend for years such as Chopra&his son, Mark Lester, Dr.Klein, etc..There would be no way I would betray MJJ or friend for any reason - just reading many of your responses have made me feel so much better that I am alone in thinking this is so wrong. Pray for children and MRS.JACKSON!

I cannot believe that someone spiritual adviser would reveal personal confidential information in articles, a book, and a TV show. My God know wonder MJJ is dead because folks that this who are now willing to betray his memory and devastate his children who knew this man as a spiritual advisor and a friend TO THEIR FATHER! How could you and Copra talk about MJJ PERSONAL LIFE IN THIS MANNER THEN CLAIM TO LOVE HIM SO MUCH. He didn't even consider his own children's hurt because they consider MJJ a family friend. I'm appauled that you would publicly share confidents which MJJ gave you in private or as a friend in this manner. I pray that the Jackson attorney seriously consider filing breach of privacy lawsuit against every doctor, minister, all spiritual advisers and attornies who have broke MJJ COFIDENTS.

I am baffled why Boteach palled around with Jackson in the first place. Surely as a rabbi who is supposed to serve his community he wouldn't have time.

Who would better know about Michael Jackson then Rabbi Smelly Buttox (Shmuley Boteach)the sex rabbi.

Wow, judgemental much?

All those accusations were found to be false. The most famous being the mother who eventually admitted that she was LYING on behalf of her child to get money--amazing how all the other people trying to accuse M.J. faded away after that, isn't it? You only speak now because you want your fifteen minutes of fame because you were left out from all the attention. Pathetic. Be respectful of his family and let a legend rest in peace!

Ah Shmuely, it's so easy to speak up after the fact. Why didn't you go public when Michael was alive and risk the flak? You might have saved his life by blasting the tabloids with the fact of his drug and pet doctor habit. Now you are beating your own self righteous drums. Abuse of medicines is a national epidemic, and the average american has about 20 perspcriptions in their medicine cabinet. Sick sick sick. Even if it doesn't get totally crazy, depending on pills rather than good living is the flaw. Shmuely, you blew it and are coming on self congratulatory which is unbeffiting a rabbi.

What a hypocrite...to call Michael Jackson's life as a waste??? MJ have given the world tremendous gift thru his music and monetary generosity to the needy and the environment, he left a real mark in this world. The last I heared nobody have heared or cared about Rabbi Boteach had done except to maybe a few. To release these private conversations after Jackson is gone is bad taste, this is simply trying to ride on his popularity. I quess he is just another idol worshiper, wanting to be popular and important - this is what is wrong with our world today.

As a rabbi I am appalled by the interview and recent comments of Rabbi Shmuley Boteach concerning Michael Jackson. Rabbis are bound by rules of confidentiality. What we discuss or experience with people who seek our counsel are meant to be kept private. Even when those that we have counselled or befriended are no longer living, the same rule applies. It is only because of our position of trust that people feel they can be open with us. I have had numerous experiences with well known people but I have never spoken of these experiences because it would violate the trust of these individuals who believed they could be open and candid with me. When Rabbi Boteach spoke publicly about his experiences with Michael Jackson, he did serious harm to all rabbis as well. He should certainly be aware of the prohibition against lashon ha-rah and talebearing. He has disgraced the rabbinate. He is a publicity hound masquerading as a spiritual leader, no better that the tabloids.

Who cares what Rabbi Boteach thinks! No one but MJ and Hashem knows what Michael Jackson endured and felt, so let us not judge the man but instead remember the music!

Mr Shmueli boteach, One does not often see this much loshen hara in one article. You are flipin' out of your mind. What were you doing hanging around with such an entity in the first place?

I'm waiting for the good rabbi to decry all the poisons most of us ingest everday in the form of pesticides, herbicides, chemical additives and other death dealing substances. Maybe because there is no halachic ruling against thses substances, the rabbi will have nothing to say. In any event, we are all killing ourselves for the profit of big companies.

Rabbi Shmuley?s comments regarding MJ?s possible guilt sound like sour grapes perhaps after hearing he was supposedly on MJ?s ?Enemies List.? And they contradict his previous comments about MJ. For example: ?Michael is simply not what the media reports. I see a man who loves a child's innocence and is himself innocent.? -AND- ?[At Neverland,] I witnessed an extraordinary human being whose compassion for and devotion to children, especially those in need, knows no limits... someone for whom children are always a blessing, never a burden.? -AND- ?From the moment we [met], I was struck by his amazing sensitivity to the pain of all living things....? -AND- ?Michael [speaks] to [his son] with respect and affection.... It?s clear the boy [is] the delight of his father's life.? He now claims to have reservations about MJ?s innocence, but yet repeatedly allowed his own children to be around MJ. These bitter comments are a disservice to MJ?s memory. I thought the Rabbi was a bigger than that.

remain nameless but eventually like all parasitic bodies they cannibalize the host. Jackson wasn't just 'special' he was MONUMENTAL, the music, the dance, the pain he lived with, the poor he nourished. The only ones who believed the 'child molestation' story were those who had something to gain. NOTHING, NADA, NIX, NO COMPENSATION would have been enough, the father's GUILT should have been palpable knowing full well he forced his child's attention on Micheal yet the only thing evident throughout the whole affair was his Madoff's greed.

It's almost as if Rabbi Boteach likes attention.