Let’s Blame It All on Madonna
We Jews should embrace celebrities like Madonna and Demi Moore who pose as members of the tribe — as long as they are willing to take the bad with the good.
Those who went to Eazo Meat and Wine Shop in Tel Aviv recently found their choices severely limited.
Madonna’s chefs had just left with 110 pounds of kosher meat, including ribeye and T-bone steaks. The Material Girl’s latest tour had come to Israel.
Aaron Klein, the Israel correspondent for WND (and one of the disappointed shoppers), reported that Madonna (or Esther) is about to be joined by fellow Kabbalah-following stars Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Justin Timberlake. They apparently are being invited to a barbecue.
These days it seems like non-Jews all over the place are trying to take a piece of Jewish learning or history and make it their own. The problem is that in many cases they are copying Jews who just don’t understand the Torah foundation supporting the traditions. See the “Faux Mitzvah” — a party for 13-year-old Gentile children that skips the religious ceremony part. In some cases the non-Jews are being duped, as with Hollywood’s Kabbalah fad which turns sacred texts into little more than red string bracelets and “holy water.”
There are those of the Jewish faith who will tell you that this quasi-Jewish observance is dangerous, that these trends cause horrible confusion about Judaism and Jewish values, and, worst of all, accelerate assimilation. Some even call it blasphemy.
Butt this trend toward pseudo-Judaism may actually be a good thing, and I suggest that Jews even encourage these practices … but with one quid pro quo.
If people want to pick up Jewish traditions without learning the background or observance, let them share in receiving the Desmond Tutu and Louis Farrakhan blood-libel attacks.
See how it could help? Take, for example, the Hollywood Kabbalah cult. I was always taught that Kabbalah was advanced Jewish study, and I was told that before I could truly understand it I would have to know Judaism backward, forward, and sideways. Yet the Hollywood Kabbalah cult skipped the foundation and went straight to the Zohar (the sacred Jewish text of Kabbalah).
I say we should give them our blessing. But before “Esther” puts on her yarmulke, douses herself with Kabbalah water, or makes another music video about Kaballah while behaving inappropriately with another woman, I ask that she has a little press conference.
She should announce that it is she, not the Jews, who controls the media.
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Sammy Benoit is the editor of the political blog The Lid.
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30 Comments
1. Blackwater:Liberal Jews are a disgrace. Thanks to them there might be a 2nd holocaust. They happily make excuses for islamist imperialism/jihadism/terrorism and think Iran getting nukes is perfectly fine. Oh and allowing the arab muslims to demographically take over Israel? Well that’s just great too.
Sep 6, 2009 - 1:53 am 2. Ken Besig:Once upon a time, everyone, even a Jew, knew what a Jew was. A Jew was sober, generous, charitable, faithful to their spouse, well educated, productive, and respectful to others in speech and behavior. Once upon a time, in Gentile eyes, a Jew while sometimes mistrusted, was generally viewed as hard working, educated, sober, at least somewhat Kashrut and Shabbat observant, a productive member of the community, a good parent and spouse. And indeed, years ago, probably a majority of Jews fit that positive stereotype. Nowadays, as a result of the vulgar and coarse behavior of prominent Jews in Hollywood, like Woody Allen, or business like Ivan Boesky or Bernie Madoff, or politics, like Rahm Emmanuel, Jews are often despised by Gentiles who have never even met a Jew, much less know one. And now, almost so as to add insult to injury, we have half naked, drugged up, foul mouthed, vulgar half prostitute shikses like “Esther” Madonna poisoning Judaism even further with their abuse and misunderstandinig of te Torah, the Talmud and the Zohar. The Rabbis of the Talmud were absolutely right when they condemned the translation of the Torah into other languages since they knew that the Gentiles, without the Oral Torah,i.e.the Talmud, would completely screw up both the Torah and Judaism. There is even a Jewish Fast Day to commemorate this abuse of the Torah. Believe me, Mr. Benoit, we have enough “tsures” with modern Judaism and among Jews without adding the crassness of “Ishtar”(the Persian form of Esther) Madonna to the problem.
Sep 6, 2009 - 4:21 am 3. Marie Claude:Madonna is like the winds, she move on where they blow
Once she wanted to visit the pilgrin place of Lourdes in France a famous dedicted site to Virgin Mary, and the catholic hierarchy there refused her the access, may-be disapointment made her turn to Jewish religion
Sep 6, 2009 - 6:33 am 4. Lynn:Well I don’t think people should be afraid of translation and don’t be mad that Madonna has chosen your religion as her own. Please don’t reject her, please, a woman scorned is very dangerous indeed. We have put her on the shelf and know her for what she is. We do not look to her for spiritual guidance.
I think you must be worried after seeing what she did with the cross, using it for a “stage prop”.
We will not look toward Madonna as a representative of a Jewish Person or the Jewish Faith, just as we didn’t with Bernie Madoff. Believe it or not some people admire the Jewish People for the very fact they did not treat us to a candy coated revision of their history, and some of us know they are a convenient target for anyone who wants to point the finger of blame for anything at all.
I think it is a good thing that the books were translated into other languages because other than that, the only proof to show for existence would be digging, digging, digging, which seems very easy to stop. There is a lot more things covered up that the enemies of Israel want covered up.
Sep 6, 2009 - 6:51 am 5. Lynn:Who does she think she is? The Queen of Sheba?
I am now ducking from the rotten tomatoes.
Sep 6, 2009 - 7:22 am 6. Good:I find this article to be very demeaning to people who want to share the Jewish tradition and religion. As I see it, based on the Old Testament and not books that were written later by some famous rabbis, any person who wants to be a Jew should be welcome. The beauty of the Jewish religion is that it gives the person a high level of freedom (you can pray where and when you want) and the basis to it is the belief in one G-d and being good to other people.
Sep 6, 2009 - 8:01 am 7. MayaRivka:To me, Judaism is a religion of freedom of choice and respect to the creator and all human beings. Therefore, anyone who wants to become or feel that he/she is a Jew should be embraced and respected to the highest degree. I totally oppose the people (you find them in every religion) that are trying to hijack Judaism and create rules in order to deny access to “outsiders” It’s great that there is a lot of interest in the Kabbalah since it helps people understand the immense wisdom that is hidden in the Old Testament and in the Jewish religion.
I don’t see that there is a right or wrong way to celebrate one’s Bar-Mitzvah since it is only a tradition and has nothing to do with the origins of Judaism.
Being Jewish is about what one feels inside and not the clothes you wear or the way you celebrate your holidays and birthdays.
I thank people like Madonna for giving Judaism a chance and not (like many people today) bash it for what it is not.
I think Good is crazy! and possibly christian?? What is the “Old Testament” anyways??? Anyone should be accepted as a Jew? Even an idol worshipper? Okay Sammy, I will do you the favor of not opening that can of worms here and stick to topic. I think this is hideous. A Hideous display. But then again, what good is Hollywood for other than their “smorgishboard” religions? Take a piece of this, a piece of that and you have your “feel good spirituality”. It really has occured to me, it does not matter what people think or do, because if others look at Madonna as a reflection of Judaism, the problem is not with Madonna but for the individual not delving further into the truths, seeking out good teachers and those who know. We just need to keep our eyes on HaShem, we know how it all turns out… we just have to “suffer” through it… the suffering == this too shall pass!
Sep 6, 2009 - 8:59 am 8. Jeff Dunetz:RIGHT ON !
I believe that this article is using Madonna to take a more macro look at society, the real message has nothing to do with Judaism, its about tendency of our society to take the easy way out. Instead of taking the time to do the work we go straight to the celebration. Good Job Sammy
Sep 6, 2009 - 9:19 am 9. Good:To MayaRivka
Thank you very much for all your compliments, you seem to be a real nice person.
I would like however to make a few minor corrections to your assumptions:
1) I’m not crazy, never been in a mental institute and did some jobs that need clarity of mind where one of is being a pilot.
2) I am a Jew, born raised and fought for my country – Israel (but I live in the US now).
3) Old Testament – aka Torah and I do know a little about it.
4) Your judgmental attitude on other people’s beliefs and ways of experiencing spirituality is dangerous and paves the way for others to do the same to you and to Judaism as a whole.
5) As there are many names to Hashem, there are many ways to practicing your faith. Wearing a Kipah/Yarmulke does NOT make you a better person.
6) Yes, I do think that anyone who wants to convert to Judaism should be allowed with minimum hustle as being a Jew is more of a obligation than a privilege. I understand that this is not a popular vision with orthodox Jews and I also understand that it is threatening to some rabbis who make a lot of money on converting people but that is my personal understanding of my religion.
Moreover, who was Abraham before the creator appeared to him? Didn’t he stem from a family of idol worshipers? There is your answer – people can change.
Shalom
Sep 6, 2009 - 10:09 am 10. Jeff Dunetz:Dear Good
1) I re-read this article, it has nothing to do with conversion.
2)Anyone who calls it “The Old Testament” can’t be Jewish with a great knowledge of Torah, they would call it Torah.
3)I Agree-Wearing a Kipah/Yarmulke does NOT make you a better person
4)If saying that Rabbis convert people to make money? You have a twisted version of the Religion. May I suggest more study
Sep 6, 2009 - 10:31 am 11. Gil:The only thing Madonna converted to is what she is going to exploit to make her next $100 million. The Catholic thing worked well, lesbians and drugs always pay off, the Jewish thing is going okay, next up for Madonna is maybe Muslimism?? We’ll see. I can’t wait to watch the Muslims reacting to her exploitation of them!
Sep 6, 2009 - 11:01 am 12. Good:To: Jeff Dunetz
Thank you for your comments.
1) I did not claim that the article is talking about conversion. What I said is that it sounds demeaning to me toward people who want to be a part of the religion, including potential converts. MayaRivka took issue with what I said so I tried to explain.
2) Since this is not a Jews only website I use the universal name of the Torah which everyone knows. It’s called respect.
I did not claim great knowledge of the Torah but I did study it cover to cover for 12 years in Hebrew (or should I say Ivrit so that you won’t blame me now for not speaking the language too).
4) Did you ever live in Israel? If not, please talk to someone who converted or tried to and you may find out that there is a lot of corruption involved (“short cuts”). I don’t say that all rabbis are like that, as most are wonderful and caring people but remember that in Israel you have very powerful religious parties in the Knesset (the parliament) which for them the Torah is a means to power and control.
I agree with you that I should study the Torah more, as should every Jew.
Regards
Sep 6, 2009 - 11:13 am 13. Bohemond:Modest informational point (not intended to offend anyone):
“Anyone who calls it “The Old Testament” can’t be Jewish with a great knowledge of Torah, they would call it Torah.”
Actually, what Christians mean by “The Old Testament” is the whole Tanakh (the Law, Prophets and Writings), not just Torah (which we goyim usually refer to as the “Books of Moses” or “the Pentateuch.”
Sep 6, 2009 - 1:33 pm 14. Debbie:I like how you’ve mixed humor with stereotype and truth, as you always do.
I always wondered what folks thought about people like Madonna’s Kabbalah and the way she lives her live and the things she does in her performances.
Sep 6, 2009 - 1:39 pm 15. Larsen E. Whipsnade:6. Good: “I find this article to be very demeaning to people who want to share the Jewish tradition and religion. As I see it, based on the Old Testament and not books that were written later by some famous rabbis, any person who wants to be a Jew should be welcome.”
Hello!? The rule book says you have to pass a rigorous test to become a Jew. Any person who wants to become “something new” will have to find another religion if they don’t want to do the homework and sit for the tests. But, hey that’s what Jesus had in mind for his new, simpler way.
Sep 6, 2009 - 2:34 pm 16. Sebastian Shaw:Madonna does not deserve the attention she craves; ignore her & she will slither back to the hole whence she came.
Sep 6, 2009 - 2:52 pm 17. Incitatus:Gil nailed it on # 11. Right on!:
“The only thing Madonna converted to is what she is going to exploit to make her next $100 million. The Catholic thing worked well, lesbians and drugs always pay off, the Jewish thing is going okay, next up for Madonna is maybe Muslimism?? We’ll see. I can’t wait to watch the Muslims reacting to her exploitation of them!”
Sep 6, 2009 - 4:43 pm 18. Debbie 2:Good – Larsen is right.
Though you’re Jewish, you’re demonstrating your lack of knowledge of the faith. Conversion is always to be discouraged because we do not want people who decide to become Jewish on a whim. We are not Christians. We aren’t out there seeking new members of our tribe. We want people who seriously want to become Jewish. The standard practice is to be denied by a rabbi at least 3 times. This is Halacha. Personally, I think it’d be a great thing for Judaism if Madonna did convert officially. Perhaps that’s where she’s headed? We need a strong, powerful, pro-Israel, pro-Jewish voice in Hollywood – as stupid as that is.
Sep 7, 2009 - 8:11 am 19. Romo:Debbie 2: I agree with you. If Madonna, with all her fame and her power, wants to adopt a Jewish soul, then who are we to say she can’t? As it is, Jewish blood needs to be refreshed. We have far too many inherited diseases because of our continual intermarriage. I agree that Jews should not evangelise but the incidence to mental illness, cancer and other diseases need to be distilled.
I take it as a huge compliment that people are drawn to Judaism.
Sep 7, 2009 - 8:19 am 20. Lee Kaplan:Sammy, Sammy, Sammy…
What is a Jew? An adherent to Torah. Jews are not all Orthodox or Conservative. One caveat is they support the state of Israel as a Jewish state or they are phonies like the Neturi Karta. There are IDF soldiers in combat with tattoos. I agree it’s against the faith, but nobody’s perfect. Some Jews today are atheists, but the Talmud says they are still Jews if they follow Torah. Over the years I’ve known plenty of Jews who wore the kippah, kept shabat, went to temple and would bounce checks on people intentionally all week long. Some Jews sacrificed their lives for Israel not knowing all the ins and outs of Judaism straight off the boats in 1946. I detest the “I;m a better Jew than you” crowd. I aklso detest “Jews” who run around saying they are “anti-Zionist” when they are really anti-Semitic.
As for Madonna: GOD BLESS HER. It’s fashionable now to wear a keffiyah and think one is cutting edge in favor of human rights when really supporting serial killers in Arab garb.She doesn’t do that. And she invited Ashton, Demi and other luminaries to Israel and they came!!! GOD BLESS THEM TOO! One reason we are losing in hasbara is that the Jews are always busy gossiping and controlling other Jews who are also pro-Israel. I’ve gone undercover at ISM events and seen the other side. They are infinitely nicer to each other at their meetings than Jews are to each other. The other side runs from me in fear. It’s my Jewish brethren who has on occasion tried to silence me “as too aggressive” or “too strong” that aided the enemy.
The Arabs and the Jewish traitors like Rachel Giora tried to bash Madonna for draping herself in the Israeli flag and you write an article complaining about her? Please. Let her study kabbalah all she wants. It’s not as good as if she’d studied Torah for 40 years maybe, but she will appreciate our culture and not fall prey to the lies of the Arabs and ISM.
Madonna,if you see this, ignore the complainers! We Jews have always had them. The rest of Israel adores you!
Sep 7, 2009 - 8:39 am 21. Aida:I’ve listened and watched as Madonna has transformed through the years as a Catholic schoolgirl gone astray, a trashy rock singer, a marriage and home breaker, and the newer form of studying Judaism, skipping over to Kabballah with little else. I don’t have that much objection, if that’s really what she wants to do, but she is so taste-less in everything she does…We shall see where she goes from hereon.
Sep 7, 2009 - 9:44 am 22. Crazycatkid:Oy Vay! Does no one have a sense of humor?
Sep 7, 2009 - 10:31 am 23. Good:For those so hot under the collar with their own “issues” that they can’t calm down and comprehend ….I will summarize:
If wannabee’s wanna dabble in my faith and culture (Judaism) – OK, but when they are done having BBQ’s and fun – let them try on some anti-Semitism for dessert…..and see if they can take it! If so, then, maybe I’ll take them seriously!
Now…do you get it? Arggh! (that’s an old yiddish pirate expression for frustration with others’ thick-headedness)
Thanks Sammy, – as always you are smart and funny!
To: Larsen E. Whipsnade and Debbie 2:
Thank you both for your comments and my apologies for all posters for taking so much room here.
Sep 7, 2009 - 12:19 pm 24. Lynda:- Your way is not the only way our religion works. I do not say that Jews should go out to convert people to Judaism as it is indeed forbidden. However, Judaism is a religion where every individual is connected directly to the creator and there is no need for a middle man. I see the conversion rules as created by man and not necessarily correct.
- Judaism promotes debate and clearly is a religion where there is more than one way of worshiping and interpreting. Even the word of the creator is questioned in the Torah (the famous negotiations between Abraham and Hashem) with a magnificent display of tolerance and love by the creator and that is (in my opinion) how we should be – tolerant and loving to the people how seek to be a part of us or gain more knowledge of our religion.
- Debbie, you say “…we don’t want people…”. It is not up to us because we do not own the religion, Hashem does and if anybody feels that for him/her this is the best way to worship G-d it should be accepted. Most people on the planet pretty much understand the consequences of being a Jew (holocaust, persecutions, blood libels etc.) and I don’t think that too many people take these consequences lightly.
- I think that Lee Kaplan is actually saying very eloquently what I wanted to say: Just lay off these people and let them be. They love Judaism and it looks like they also enjoy being in Israel so why complain? Why not hug and kiss them and show them how happy we are that they are on our side?
At the risk of dating myself… Right on, Lee and Good – and thank you for your insightful comments!!! As for the rest of you – what a bunch of self-righteous bigots – crazykatkid, why do they need to experience anti-semitism? They have all of you to mock and degrade them.
Sep 7, 2009 - 4:56 pm 25. Lynda:And you think that’s funny?
Oh, and before anyone asks; yes, I am Jewish.
Sep 7, 2009 - 5:13 pm 26. Gil:Lynda, the thought might be that people like Madonna want to experience the highlights of Jewish faith and tradition, they like the food, the fellowship, the parties, whatever is in vogue, but they might be MIA when it comes to the hard work of Torah study and the difficult parts of daily life. Whatever. Personally, I don’t trust the intentions of Hollywood types; perhaps they’ll porve me wrong.
Sep 7, 2009 - 6:44 pm 27. Gil:Good,
Sep 7, 2009 - 11:27 pm 28. Lynn:Let me quote you, “Most people on the planet pretty much understand the consequences of being a Jew (holocaust, persecutions, blood libels etc.) and I don’t think that too many people take these consequences lightly”
Believe me, most Americans don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. Do you really think the main stream knows much of anything about those topic? No they don’t. And their kids don’t. And that is why I support JPFO.
It was the mainstream Americans who shed their blood to STOP many of the persecutions against the Jewish People. We do not take the consequences of being Jewish lightly because many of OUR people died to stop the evil.
We also heard the chants of Death to America along with Death to Israel.
You are barking up the wrong tree. The cat is in another tree and you are just making noise.
If faithful Jewish People want to discourage others from interest in their faith or discourage them for converting, that is their business and fine with many Americans. That is their freedom and we cherish it like our own freedom. Don’t underestimate us and don’t dismiss our blood that was shed by our ancestors to fight evil that did not just limit itself to the Jews.
Sep 8, 2009 - 9:36 am 29. TWD -:I think that Lee Kaplan is actually saying very eloquently what I wanted to say: Just lay off these people and let them be. They love Judaism and it looks like they also enjoy being in Israel so why complain? Why not hug and kiss them and show them how happy we are that they are on our side?
Sep 10, 2009 - 1:24 pm 30. Ben:Sammy is right. Madonna and others are assets, not liabilities.
And TWD and Lee are right. They are not the Enemy. Not even close. In fact, they should be embraced, so the Enemy includes them in their hatred. Maybe realizing Achmed wants to behead them will raise some consciousness about the real problems, which have nothing to do with tatoos and faux-mitzvahs and a lot to do with anti-semitic propaganda and explosives.
In desperate times, you take what you can get. If what we get is Demi Moore and Madonna, we find the good in it. Like someone once said, when life hands you lemmings…
Sep 14, 2009 - 7:29 pm