Madonna News

Sep 15

Material-Turned-Spiritual Madonna Visits Israel

Pop idol Madonna, fresh from her acclaimed "Re-Invention" tour, began a spiritual pilgrimage to Israel on Wednesday to practice her newfound faith in the mystical Jewish Kabbalah.
But the Catholic-bred singer's journey is likely to raise controversy among some ultra-Orthodox Jews afraid the growing popularity of the movement among non-Jews is nothing more than a trend that demeans their religious beliefs.
Madonna, who recently adopted the Hebrew name Esther and wears a trademark Kabbalah red string on her wrist, has said she is serious about her belief in Jewish mysticism and irritated by accusations her faith is nothing more than a celebrity fad.
Yet for many of her fellow followers of Kabbalah, or at least those congregating around Judaism's Western Wall, the litmus test will be just how much fabric the "Material Girl" wears -- over her arms, shoulders and legs.
"She should dress modestly instead of showing off her body," commented one woman selling books about the Kabbalah near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, one of Judaism's holiest sites.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews frown upon women wearing pants, let alone the raunchy, anatomically exaggerated bustiers and fishnet stockings synonymous with a Madonna concert.
Madonna's arrival aboard a private jet after sundown, the eve of the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashana, contradicted religious law forbidding motorized transport on holy days.
Madonna, whose itinerary was kept under wraps for security reasons, was expected to celebrate the holiday at a luxury hotel in Tel Aviv with about 2,000 fellow Kabbalists from the Los Angeles-based Kabbalah Center.
Event organizers had requested journalists wear white and discouraged them from taking photographs or jotting down notes, as writing or using electronics is prohibited on high holidays according to traditional Jewish law.
Pop star Britney Spears, who exchanged an intimate kiss with Madonna at an MTV awards show, and Hollywood actress Demi Moore are also followers of Kabbalah although neither will be joining Madonna in Israel.
source : reuters.com

Categories : General News

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