Mystical Madonna visits Safed tomb of kabbalistic great
Pop music icon wraps up Israel tour with trip to birthplace of the kabbalistic tradition she has embraced.
By Eli Ashkenazi Tags: Israel news MadonnaPop music icon Madonna, who took Israel by storm earlier this week with two back-to-back concerts in Tel Aviv, wrapped up her tour with a visit Thursday night to the Safed tomb of a kabbalistic great.
Rabbi Isaac Luri - or the Ari - was one of the founders of kabbalism, a tradition Madonna has embraced over the last few years.
Pilgrims flock year round to his grave and the neighboring ritual bath at the foot of the ancient northern city.
Madonna was accompanied in her visit by Rabbi Michael Berg, her own rabbi's brother, as well as her partner Jesus. At the site, she sang the Sabbath song "Lecha Dodi," ringing in with a kabbalistic tune.
During her visit, the material girl has paid tribute to Jerusalem's Old City, where she toured an ancient tunnel near the Western Wall - the holiest site where Jews can pray.
Madonna isn't Jewish, but she's a follower of Jewish mysticism and has even taken the Hebrew name Esther.
She arrived early Sunday for a pair of concerts in Tel Aviv this week. It was be her first performance in Israel since 1993, though she came on private pilgrimages in 2004 and 2007.
Madonna is also set to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.
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Why doesn't she just convert to Judaism? Well, she'd probably just divorce that too...
In the light of a symphony there's a charming intention, and also that fortune; there's a little desire and the sound of a beautiful noise.... Francesco Sinibaldi
So vain, so stupid, so bored that she has to individualize herself with this kabbalistic nonsens. But it caracterizes the woman
There's nothing but great stuff coming from a "BIG" celebrety visiting Israel, declaring her spirituality in Kabbala.. She's not hurting anyone, and if it works for her, so be it..
To Dallas: don't excuse Madonna. I am also a Christian, but I know better than making a show out of singing the Lecha Dodi. Just like I would not like a rabbi mocking the Lord's Prayer, I find it disgusting for that woman to disrespect that beautiful and most meaningful Sabbath song.
it seems Madonna is very well recieved in israel and by jews in general.
As a non-Jew but Christian, I understand the often naive affinity that many Christians feel for Israel, Judaism and the Holy Land. Sometimes we come across as arrogant and patronizing to Jews in Israel. However most Christians approach the land and culture with humility and if they make a faux-pas, a little respectful guidance from Jews towards the Christians will go a long way towards understanding. Non-Jews want to learn and enrich themselves for the most part, and there is no harm in some friendly guidance towards their understanding. Disdain of a naive and ignorant outsider is offensive, exclusionist and distancing towards potential allies and friends. We all are painfully aware how other unnamed groups are exclusionist and extremist, and it would be a shame for Israeli Jews to appear xenophobic as well.
Do not blame Madonna. Like many celebrities, she is rather naive when it comes to cults. For some strange reason, the Israeli media is avoiding investigating the Kabbalah Centre, run by Philip Berg and his (non-Jewish) wife, Karen. Their son, Michael, does not have ordination from any orthodox rabbi. Why is no one investigating this group? They've managed to convince Madonna that they are authentic--but not a single orthodox rabbi, and certainly not a single true kabbalist, believes in anything they print or say. Some might say: These charlatans and business-minded hustlers have turned the holiest, most esoteric aspect of Torah learning into money-making scam, offering ignorant Jews and Gentiles alike 'magic' in exchange for money. Yet: we will hear nothing of any of this from the docile Israeli media, which is so quick to attack and condemn anything associated with authentic Judaism. As for the AriZal's grave being defiled by this woman of loose morals singing Lecha Dodi: Sad!
I really do prefer BLeikh and Shakh forbidden Madonnas. They tell much more to me. And are infinitely more sincere.
Another step in the slippery slope Judaism is sliding on. I really hope that no one gets offended. We Jews have such a sensitive psyche.
She is completely disrespectful of Jewish custom and law.