Monday, October 10, 2005

'LIKE A RABBI'

Noted Kabbalist Esther (stage name, 'Madonna' but that's sooo restrictively 'Christian') has cut a groovin' tribute to 16th Century Jewish mystic Yitzhak Luria for her new CD. Many do not cherish the move as not, um, kosher:
Rabbis who oversee Luria's tomb and a seminary in the northern town of Safed are unimpressed with Madonna's musical tribute and see the inclusion of the song about Luria on the album as an attempt by the pop star to profit from his name.

Rabbi Rafael Cohen, head of a seminary named after Luria, suggested Madonna's actions could lead to divine retribution.

"Jewish law forbids the use of the name of the holy rabbi for profit. Her act is just simply unacceptable and I can only sympathize for her because of the punishment that she is going to receive from the heavens," Cohen told the newspaper.

Another rabbi called for Madonna to be thrown out of the community.

"Such a woman brings great sin on kabbalah," Rabbi Israel Deri told Maariv. "I hope that we will have the strength to prevent her from bringing sin upon the holiness of the rabbi (Yitzhak Luria)."

Maybe she needs to say, like, a prayer about it. Apparently her latest fascination is forbidden love.