Madonna converted to Judaism
Madonna reads her book for children, written from the perspective of Kabbalah. Photo by Reuters
On one of the recent Saturdays, a concert by Madonna, who arrived on the banks of the Hudson during her “World Transformation Tour,” was supposed to take place in the largest hall in New York, Madison Square Garden. But the concert was canceled, and the reason for this was just another transformation of Madonna. She started out as a “material girl”, then turned into an erotic idol, then into a caring mother and faithful wife, and now into a believing Jew.
Now Madonna wears the Star of David, diligently attends the synagogue, performs prayers, and during concerts Hebrew letters are projected onto the screen. Naturally, all her concerts are canceled on Saturdays.
Madonna is not Jewish by birth. And her stage name Madonna speaks of Catholicism. However, speaking with an interview on the ABC television channel, the star announced to the amazed humanity that she had adopted a new, Jewish name - Esther. True, her representative Liz Rosetberg hastened to assure that Madonna is not giving up on her, she will not turn around,” Liz said. That is, Esther for the soul, Madonna for the advertising lights and the ramp.
Madonna's love affair with Judaism began with a passion for Kabbalah. Or what it takes to be such - strict, traditional Talmudists consider Madonna's Kabbalah to be a fashionable and simplified version of the original Kabbalah. Kabbalah is a doctrine of Jewish mysticism that arose in the Middle Ages and in practical application borders on magic. Madonna’s Kabbalah, strict judges say, is “a morsel of Judaism.” It is believed that the signs of Kabbalah contain gigantic power. Some even believe that God created the universe from the energy of these signs and that they contain the secret of the universe. According to Madonna's kabbalistic guru Michael Berg, the Hebrew words she displays on the screen - lamed, aleph and vov (the names of the letters L, A, V) - form 72 names for God. But again, strict judges object that a truly believing Jew will never project the name of his God on the screen, especially during a rock concert, and will not tattoo it on his body, like Madonna, because the Jewish faith considers tattoos paganism.
For Jews, even Orthodox ones, Kabbalah is the pinnacle of religious knowledge, accessible only to learned men who have crossed the threshold of forty years and have already comprehended the Torah and Talmud. But the Kabbalah Center, which has 50 branches, to which Madonna counts herself, preaches this teaching “for everyone.” Guru Berg asks: “If this Wisdom is so omnipotent, then why wouldn’t the Creator want to give everyone access to it?” To which Dr. Arthur Green, professor of Jewish theology, counters: “This modern pop Kabbalah is superficial because it does not require a genuine study of Hebrew.”
Nevertheless, many Jewish theologians cannot hide their delight at Madonna's conversion to Judaism. Professor Samuel Heilman of New York University says that "Madonna's enthusiasm shows how permanent Jewish spices have become in American food, even though Jews make up only two percent of the population of the United States. Madonna's appeal can be compared to Senator Lieberman's attempt to nominate himself as a candidate for US President. Now Christians are increasingly marrying Jewish women, their children are attending cheder... Jews suddenly seem more American than any other immigrant group.”
In Madonna’s case, Hollywood, where her Maverick label is headquartered, also played a role. The New York Times is already writing about the “congeniality” of Judaism and the entertainment industry. It is no coincidence that the headquarters of the Kabbalah Center is located in Los Angeles, and its director, Rabbi Philip Berg, is the father of Michael Berg, Madonna’s spiritual father. Serious Jewish organizations consider the Bergs to be charlatans, and their movement is not a religion, but a cult. But how to deal with charlatans who, in addition to Madonna, are worshiped by such show business stars as Demi Moore, Britney Spears, Winona Ryder, Mick Jagger and Barbra Streisand herself - the “Jewish nightingale”?
Charlatans, with 50 branches around the world, promise their followers, even non-Jews, knowledge of Jewish mysticism. This is, so to speak, for the soul. For the mortal body, they promise “improved sex and reduced stress,” which traditional Kabbalah does not promise. Branches sell “holy water from mountain Kabbalistic springs” (a liter of such water costs two and a half dollars), blessed face creams and red string bracelets to ward off the “evil eye.”
Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, an expert in Jewish law and ethics, calls the Bergs' activities "a mishmash of traditional Jewish wisdom, snake oil and quackery." But how can Kabbalistic texts written in a dead Aramaic language compare to a living Madonna performing in a T-shirt that says “Kabbalists do it better”? What “is it” – sex or understanding the wisdom of Judaism? Go figure it out.
In a recent interview on CNN with Larry King, Madonna did not mention sex and hovered in the empyrean, explaining her love affair with Kabbalah. “I was looking for something,” she said, “and while practicing yoga, I thought about the meaning of life. Why am I here? What am I doing here? What is the purpose of my life? How do I fit into the overall picture of the universe? I know that life is broader than making a lot of money, wider than success and even family.” Madonna has already written one book from the perspective of Kabbalah - “English Roses” - and is now preparing a second one.
The Kabbalistic reincarnation of Madonna is generally supported by leaders of the Jewish community in the United States. Madonna is not the first and will not be the last of the show business stars whom religion uses for publicity purposes. Thus, the Church of Scientology cleverly manipulates Hollywood superstars Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Since this is a very sensitive subject, I will pause and give the final word to Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, director of the National Jewish Program in New York. He says: “Some Jewish leaders believe Madonna's enthusiasm may encourage lost Jews to explore their Jewish origins. If even the greatest American rabbi told Jews, “You must keep kosher,” no one would pay attention. But Madonna..."
Although Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald did not finish his sentence, its meaning is absolutely clear. I have nothing to add to this.
Minneapolis, USA
Faith, Madonna, Love
Viewers, even those without historical education, are already quite familiar with the plot of this film thanks to the Oscar-winning British film “The King’s Speech!”
True, in the film directed by Tom Hooper, the story that formed the basis of Madonna’s film is told, if not in a hurry, then very briefly. Let us recall that in the middle of the last century, the heir to the English throne, Edward VIII, was going to marry a person with whom the monarch should not go down the aisle. However, the heir’s love for the divorced American Wallis Simpson prevailed, Edward refused the crown, and Edward’s brother George, who, in fact, is the main character of “The King...”, was forced to take the throne. Madonna decided to compensate the moral damage to the audience, dissatisfied with the fact that the bright love story was told in Hooper's film in the style of a gallop across Europe. Moreover, there is something to talk about, because Edward’s level of self-sacrifice is truly amazing. It is no coincidence that the film’s advertising slogan sounds like “The most beautiful story of the 20th century.”
The film actually takes place in the last century, but in different periods - in the middle and at the end. It all starts in New York in 1998, where a young girl, Wally Winthrop (played by Abbie Cornish, star of the films “Dark Area” and “A Good Year”), cannot get that “beautiful story” out of her head. Wally begins to collect materials on the famous novel, and comes to the conclusion that not everything in the life of Edward and Wallis was rosy. The viewer, who is immersed in the love story of the failed monarch and his chosen one, is also convinced of this, not only with the help of archival documents. The relationship between Edward and Wallis is portrayed on screen by British actors James d'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough, who are not very well known among us.
The lack of superstars in the frame is more than compensated by the name of the director and co-writer of the script. Pop star Madonna, who has many film roles of varying degrees of success, made her debut as a director. We'll soon find out whether the films she's made will generate revenue comparable to what her music albums once did.
SIGN OF FOUR
The original title of the film - WE - encrypts the names of the four main characters. Firstly, there is Edward and Wallis (Wallis, Edward), and secondly, there is Wally and a Russian man named Evgeni (played by Oscar Isaac), with whom she develops an affair.
"WE. We believe in love" (original title - WE), 2011, UK, melodrama
Directed by Madonna.
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Andrea Riseborough, Oscar Isaac, James d'Arcy, James Fox, David Harbour, etc.
In theaters from February 2.
Prince Edward and his lover were played by James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough.
UNRECOGNIZED “MASTERPIECE”
The film has already won a prestigious prize - the film received a Golden Globe for Best Original Song "Masterpiece". It was, of course, written and sung by Madonna herself. The song was regarded as a favorite in the fight for a similar award at the next Oscar. But here there is a catch - according to Oscar rules, only the composition that is heard either directly in the film or begins as soon as the final credits start can be nominated for the “Best Original Song”. “Masterpiece” does not appear on the credits immediately, but only after a little over a minute. Thus, the song was not included in the list of nominees, and Madonna was left without an Oscar.
ALSO IN RENTAL (from February 2)
“Such Different Twins” (original title: Jack and Jill), 2011, USA, comedy.
Directed by Dennis Dugan.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Al Pacino.
“Chronicle” (original title - Chronicle), 2012, USA, thriller.
Directed by Joshua Trank. Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly.
“Indifference” , 2011, Russia, drama.
Director: Oleg Flyangolts.
Cast: Fyodor Bondarchuk, Alexander Bashirov.
“7 days and nights with Marilyn” (original title - My Week with Marilyn), 2011, USA, comedy.
Director: Simon Curtis.
Starring: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh.
What gods do the stars pray to?
What gods do the stars pray to
Richard GERE
He is rightfully considered the main Buddhist of Hollywood. Not only that, the gray-haired handsome man always ardently opposes the Chinese authorities demanding an end to the occupation of Tibet and sponsors the grandiose projects of the Dalai Lama. He also introduced his wife, actress Carey Lowell, to the ancient belief, and also named his son the Tibetan name Jigme, which means “Fearless.”
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
The former spouses were so imbued with the controversial teaching that they even decided to play their own wedding according to the rules of the Church of Scientology - they sealed the union not only with the traditional exchange of rings, but also with magical vows. The Hollywood couple was not even embarrassed by the fact that such a marriage, alas, has no legal force in any country in the world.
MADONNA
According to the singer’s relatives, Madonna’s passion for Kabbalah turned into real bondage. Adherents of ancient Jewish mystical practice, they say, shake out up to 10 million dollars a year from pop stars. In addition, the sect has become a bone of contention between Madonna and her ex-husband, director Guy Ritchie, and the singer’s children are deprived of the opportunity to celebrate Christian holidays. True, Madonna herself categorically denies such rumors.
Uma Thurman
Quentin Tarantino's muse never tires of promoting yoga among her celebrity colleagues. Having trumpeted around the world that it was Eastern spiritual gymnastics that allowed her to star in the acclaimed blockbuster “Kill Bill” just three months after giving birth, the actress is still not ready to take a single step without a mat and a personal instructor.
Natalya ANDREICHENKO
After the actress experienced clinical death, she seriously believed in the ancient teachings of the Mayan Indians. From now on, Lady Perfection lives by the four principles of Toltec philosophy, which, as Natalia says, help her easily endure any adversity: “be sinless in your word,” “never make assumptions,” “don’t take anything personally,” and “always do the best you can.”
Renata LITVINOVA
One Christmas day, Litvinova says, she woke up early in the morning with something running down her face. It turned out that Renata's cat gave birth right on her owner's head. Knowledgeable people said: this is a sign of fate, great success awaits you. Since the prophecies came true, the actress and director has tried many methods of fortune-telling: both with Tarot cards and with coffee grounds. He assures that almost everything is being accomplished.
Irina MIROSHNICHENKO
Irina unconditionally believes in the canons of astrology. However, the actress did not bore herself with a detailed study of complex science. This is understandable - with such an experienced adviser as Pavel Globa, Miroshnichenko knows exactly: what happened, what will happen and how the heart will calm down. In any case, the actress calls the popular astrologer at least once a month.
Boris GREBENSHIKOV
At one time, the guru of Russian rock looked for the meaning of life in Chinese sacred books, Orthodoxy, and Buddhism. Now BG is an ardent supporter of ancient Indian philosophy. Grebenshchikov often visits Tibet and has long conversations with the famous Hindu Sri Chinmoy. And recently the musician even acquired a spiritual name. Henceforth his name is Puroshottama, which literally means “He who goes beyond all limitations.”
John TRAVOLTA
He even outdid Tom Cruise in his passion for Scientology. Looking at smiling John, it’s hard to imagine that he is an official representative of the Church of Scientology and serves there in the public relations department. All we have to do is take the word of the Church's advertising brochure, which says that the Hollywood actor has already reached the level of OT - the abilities of "spiritual beings who sometimes do without their bodies."
Demmy Moor
According to rumors, it was Madonna who initiated Demi Moore into all the intricacies of Kabbalah. She, in turn, seduced her young ex-lover Ashton Kutcher onto the “true path”. Suffice it to say that the wedding of Demi and Ashton took place according to all the rules of the teachings of Kabbalah. With a joint reading of the Torah, with a rabbi and with a glass of red wine, which the newlyweds first drain and then the groom smashes on the floor.
