Posted March 23, 200619 yr Since the late-1990s, Madonna has become a devotee of the disputed Kabbalah Centre and a disciple of its controversial head Rabbi Philip Berg and his wife Karen. Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie attend Kabbalah classes and have been reported to have adopted a number of aspects of the movement and associated with Judaism. The media has reported that Madonna has taken on the Biblical name of Esther, has donated millions of dollars to the Kabbalah Centre in London, New York and Los Angeles; no longer performs on Friday nights because it's the time when the Jewish Sabbath begins; wears a red string; and has visited Israel with members of the Kabbalah Centre to celebrate some of the Jewish holidays. She also studies personally with her own private-tutor, rabbi Eitan Yardeni, whose wife Sarah Yardeni runs Madonna's favorite charitable project, "Spirituality for Kids," a subsidiary of the Kabbalah Centre.[14] Madonna reportedly donated 21 million dollars towards a new Kabbalah school for children.[15] Recently references to Kabbalah Centre beliefs and principles have appeared in her music, including the track "Nobody Knows Me" from American Life (I sleep much better at night / I feel closer to the Light / Now I'm gonna try / To Improve my life). Controversy erupted again well before the release of her most recent album Confessions on a Dance Floor. Many Israeli rabbis condemned Madonna and the forthcoming song "Isaac" (tenth on its track listing) because they believed the song to be a tribute to Rabbi Isaac Luria, also known as Yitzhak Luria (1534-1572), one of the greatest Kabbalists of all time, and claimed that Jewish law forbids using a holy rabbi's name for profit. (Whether Jewish law actually forbids this, or the rabbis were simply uncomfortable with Madonna's song, is disputed). In interviews, Madonna had called this song: "The Binding of Isaac" and rumors spread that it was based on the major episode in the life of the Hebrew patriarch Isaac. Despite continued accusations that the song is about Isaac Luria, Madonna has repeatedly denied such accusations, claiming she could not think of a title for the song and, therefore, named it after Yitzhak (Isaac) Sinwani. In the song, Madonna sings with Sinwani, an Israeli singer, who is chanting a Yemenite Jewish song. Said Madonna: "The album isn't even out, so how could Jewish scholars in Israel know what my song is about? I don't know enough about Isaac Luria to write a song, though I've learned a bit in my studies."[16] Madonna has openly defended her Kabbalah studies by stating, for example: I wouldn't say studying Kabbalah for eight years goes under the category or falls under the category of being a fad or a trend. Now there might be people who are interested in it because they think it's trendy, but I can assure you that studying Kabbalah is actually a very challenging thing to do. It requires a lot of work, a lot of reading, a lot of time, a lot of commitment and a lot of discipline.[17] from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_(entertainer)
March 23, 200619 yr Author Yes, for me. She's always been a searcher..even before Kabbalah. However, many of her bests tracks clearly are from her expanded awareness. The richness and brillance comes out clearly in 'Ray of light' Album. She also seems to be more settled as a person. Well done Madge!
April 12, 200619 yr Yes, for me. She's always been a searcher..even before Kabbalah. However, many of her bests tracks clearly are from her expanded awareness. The richness and brillance comes out clearly in 'Ray of light' Album. She also seems to be more settled as a person. Well done Madge! Ray Of light is a classic album my favourite of hers the one that made me a fan i adore it.
April 12, 200619 yr I dunno, it all does seem a bit sorta 'trendy', celebs and their "spiritual paths" in general, if it aint Kabbalah, it Scientology, and if it aint Scientology it's Buddhism.... I still say her best, most adventurous album was "Erotica" and that was Pre-Kabbalah, so, no, not really...
April 25, 200619 yr To be honest I think Kabbalah´s only utility is to make people look more cool...
May 18, 200619 yr I'm not sure. Some of the songs that draw on her beliefs are fantastic. But there's still a lot of dance about men and dancing - I'm not sure she's progressed.
May 18, 200619 yr She became a mother around the same time so I think that's changed her too. There are less songs about sex, for example.
June 5, 200619 yr To be honest I am unsure also... she keeps mocking religion and stuff still, I just think she's evolved as the time has gone on..
