That's just wierd. I don't get what is wrong with her real name? Why do so many religions make you change your name? Get with the times religion, names have changed in the last 2000 years, everyone can't have the same names as then. It's ridiculous.
MADONNA is so wrapped up in her Kabbalah-blah-blah studies that she is taking an “Energy Tour” to Israel next month.
Madge believes the weird pilgrimage will enable her to go back in time, undo any negative actions and fuel up on energy from the “upper worlds”
It sounds like a load of old baloney to me.
Most people want to relax, catch some sun and party on their annual vacation.
But not the Kabbalah-obsessed Queen Of Pop.
Immediately after her Re-invention Tour finishes in Europe, Madonna — or Esther as she’s known within the religion — will join hundreds of other red-bracelet wearing Kabbalists on the spiritual journey.
Madge has forked out more than £20,000 for herself, husband GUY RITCHIE, their two kids LOLA and ROCCO and a few staff to go on the Kabbalah magical mystical tour.
The journey is taking place in mid-September during the holiest time of the Jewish calendar — a special occasion for all Jews around the world.
But the specifics of Madonna’s trip sound like mumbo jumbo.
The first section of the pilgrimage — centred on the holy day of Rosh Hashanah on September 15 — offers a chance to go back in time to undo any bad actions.
A Kabbalah advert says: “Every word, thought and action you put out there creates positive or negative effects. And like boomerangs, they come back to you.
“You have the chance to go back in time and delete all the negative actions.
“Once your slate is clean, you have the opportunity to restart your life.” Then on Yom Kippur or Day Of Atonement on September 24, the pilgrims will: “Walk into the immaterial bank which exists in the upper world and grab all the energy you’ll need to truly manifest the life you want.”
I’m sure Madge believes it’s all very important — but it sure doesn’t sound like much fun for the rest of the family.
Madonna has clearly forgotten the chorus to her own hit single Holiday where she urged us to celebrate — not meditate.
Pop superstar Madonna shocked organizers of the Irish leg of her Re-Invention tour, by demanding 25 cases of Kabbalah water on her backstage rider.
The Material Girl -- a devout follower of the mystical offshoot of Judaism -- is scheduled to perform a one-off gig at Dublin's Slane Castle on August 29.
But Irish promoters are struggling to assemble her demanding rider, which includes gallons of the costly water Madonna swears by.
A source tells gossip site the Scoop, "That's a lot of water for a one-day concert. I've heard some Kabbalah followers bathe in Kabbalah water."
But Kabbalah critic Rick Ross is skeptical of Madonna's interest in the religion -- which she has reportedly been pushing on her tour staff.
He tells The Scoop, "Madonna has taken to pushing Kabbalah on anyone within shouting distance. She's been trying to convert everyone who works on the concert, and that includes making them pray, giving Kabbalah courses as presents, and no doubt, pumping Kabbalah water down their throats. People working on concerts go through a lot of water, and it's the only drink that she'll touch."
25 cases???? of some mystic water? what a waste of money, but I guess she's got a lot of money, if she wants to waste it on stupid blessed water, she can. Bath in it?
Now (apparently) MAdonna is over the Kabbalah already:
quote:
Madonna may be disillusioned with Kaballah! :
It seems that Pop diva Madonna has had enough of Kabbalah. The "Frozen" singer has reportedly become disillusioned with the Jewish religious cult.
"She's upset that they've been marketing off of her. She's tired of them constantly coming to the well for money, and she was furious they leaked she was going to Israel. She's over it," a source was quoted as saying.
Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie also reportedly had a scuffle with a Kaballah rabbi when the latter interrupted his conversation with Madonna, during a show.
However her representatives deny reports of a fall out. "There's nothing to lead me to believe anything's changed," they were quoted as saying. (ANI)
This woman cannot make up her mind about anything, one minutes she's one thing, then another. She's probably just thinking it's time to get out of Kabbalah now that it's becoming more well known and "cool". She likes to be one step ahead of the hoardes when it comes to religion.
I NEVER thought I’d see the day when MADONNA’s rosy relationship with Kabbalah would take a turn for the worse.
But the Queen Of Pop has had her first fallout with the leaders of the mystical Jewish faith over her generous financial donations.
Madge, renowned for her shrewd business sense, has demanded a detailed account of how her money has been used since the start of her sell-out Re-Invention tour in May.
She has even refused an invitation to give a lecture at a private seminar held by Kabbalah’s top man RABBI BERG while she waits for the explanation.
The singer has put millions into Kabbalah projects but now wants a bigger say in how the cash is used.
A source said: “Madonna wants to know what projects her money is going to and why certain projects are chosen ahead of others.
“She wasn’t entirely satisfied that it was going towards the projects she thought deserved the most financial support.
“Now she has asked for a clear, detailed report on where the money is being spent before it gets the go-ahead.
Row ... Rabbi Berg
“She’s as keen as ever to help but is treating it like a business plan — just like she does everything else.”
Madonna’s fallout with the faith’s leaders is the latest indication that everything is not all roses in Kabbalahland.
Last month hubby GUY RITCHIE scrapped with one of her rabbi advisers. He threatened to “break the face” of the guru because he was angry at his constant interfering.
At one stage the movie director even grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, sparking a row between the superstar couple.
But I don’t think this is the end of Madge’s love affair with Kabbalah.
She just wants to assert the same control as she does in other parts of her life.
I mean she’s well and truly hooked on the faith — from calling herself by her Kabbalah name Esther to drinking only Kabbalah water.
And if her faith has anything to do with her fantastic world tour performances, she should stick with it.
Madonna’ s concerts in Los Angeles and London completely blew me away.
2. Fashion guru Manolo Blahnik
Shoe-making genius ... Manolo Blahnik
MANOLO BLAHNIK has also found himself at the receiving end of Madonna’s wrath.
The shoe-making genius, made famous by SARAH JESSICA PARKER in TV sitcom Sex And The City, has been blacklisted too.
Manolo, made the ill-advised decision to criticise her acting ability in a TV interview.
Big mistake . . . huge. It doesn’t make good business sense to slag off your most famous, free-spending customer.
Especially when Madge once famously claimed his shoes were “as good as sex – and they last longer.”
Manolo sent the star a letter apologising for his comments but received a stern reply telling him, in no uncertain terms, that it wasn’t good enough.
She hasn’t visited his shop since.
But are you really sure you want to fall out with the fashion guru, Madge?
He’s the god of shoes. Just think about your comparison of Manolo and sex.
Still sure you don’t want him to be your best mate and bung a few freebies your way?
Madonna's support of the Los Angeles Kabbalah Center has helped pay for luxurious homes for its leaders, according to reports.
The pop superstar -- a devout follower of the mystical branch of Judaism -- has reportedly asked for an audit to show where her charitable donations have been spent by the center.
And, gossip site the Scoop claims her millions have been spent on real estate near the center's home on South Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles -- a source alleging "mini-mansions" are being built for the leaders of the Kabbalah Center on three such sites.
Religious cult expert Rick Ross claims one house will be occupied by Rabbi Philip Berg and the other two are for his sons Michael and Yehuda.
A spokesperson for the center insists they are purchasing land "because the Kabbalah Center is expanding."
But Ross claims Madonna's nosiness may prompt the end of her association with the Kabbalah Center.
He tells the Scoop, "Madonna has a reputation for being a savvy businesswoman who knows how to read a balance sheet. I can't imagine that the Bergs really want to show her their bottom line. If Madonna insists on seeing the books, the Bergs may ultimately show her the door."
That's disgusting, they have used and used Madonna, she gives them millions in donations, she has help increase the numbers of followers, who probably give donations too. And then they turn around and just use that money to biuld luxery homes for their kids.
Superstar Madonna will set off Wednesday for a pilgrimage to Israel to mark the Jewish New Year.
The singer will join husband Guy Ritchie and children Lourdes and Rocco as well as 2,000 other members of the Kabbalah Center -- a mystical offshoot of Judaism -- on the trip.
During her journey, Madonna's party will take in the graves of Jewish sages in northern Israel and the Western Wall -- but Israeli police are concerned about another stop on their itinerary, Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, which is on the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank.
Pro-Palestinian activists are planning to protest at the site -- so thousands of Israeli officers have been drafted in to protect the group. Rabbi Shaul Youdkevitch, the head of Israel's Kabbalah Center, says, "These are energy vortexes.
It is known among Kabbalists, among people that study Kabbalah, that you can go there and recharge yourself with positive energy." Madonna will also give a speech at an event intended to unite Israeli and Palestinian children.
Organizer and Kabbalah scholar Michael Berg says, "We need to honor these heroic and courageous children. A gathering of this magnitude can have the power to diminish the volatile gap between Israeli and Arab communities to help the people recognize that love is stronger than hate and peace is the focus for the future."
Madonna has banned Jewish photographers from covering her pilgrimage to Israel, because it would break laws forbidding Jews from working during religious holidays, and has also requested journalists joining them to dress in white.
I think her pilgrimage is silly. I mean I don't claim to understand the Jewish or Kabbalah religions or anything, but it seems like a big waste of time or a big publicity thing to me.
I am not the only one who is not happy about Madonna going to Israel:
quote:
An Open Letter to Madonna
Please Say No to Apartheid
By ANGELA GODFREY-GOLDSTEIN
On behalf of Israeli Jews, and Palestinian or Israeli Christians and Muslims seriously opposed to your highly controversial visit, we ask you, with compassion, to reconsider the consequences of coming to Israel/Palestine in this context.
This visit takes you to the heart of Occupied Territory in Bethlehem: a closed-off prison, a ghetto, whose civilians now have no work, no freedom, no life. They've finished their savings, live now on food handouts from foreign donor agencies. They've had their land taken, they have no justice through the courts, this entire city of ordinary folk trying to live a decent life, is imprisoned, while Israel calls the shots.
The International Court of Justice ruled the Wall and settlements illegal. In Bethlehem, the Wall annexes Rachel's Tomb (a Muslim Mosque, too, with a Muslim cemetery nearby and a Christian site), in yet another Israeli land grab. Where you will be, at Rachel's Tomb, is Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Wall, the Checkpoint right there, Border Police and army based there keep Palestinians locked in prison. Three million Palestinians are under full closure for the entire month of Jewish High Holidays. All to ensure further settlement development. At all times, they can't get out. They'll even have to pray at Rachel's Tomb checkpoint, instead of their own Jerusalem holy site, Al Aqsa Mosque, at Ramadan next month, like last year.
In the last four years, we've killed five times more of their children, three times more of their civilians, than the Palestinians have killed Israeli kids or civilians. We've taken their homes, land and villages, dignity, work. Bethlehem is a ghetto, with no work, and look--you a tourist--are you going to the Christian sites in the centre of Bethlehem?
All this is about apartheid, separation, and yet more abuse of power, causing the terror / resistance. The whole area's been turned into a fortress, not a holy site, from which Israeli forces shot and killed unarmed Palestinian kids at the beginning of the Intifada. Does warlike aggression speak of spirituality? Rachel's Tomb is descending into the darkness of rip-off, very far from LIGHT.
Next to Rachel's Tomb is Ayda Refugee Camp--whose 5,000 hostages have been stuck there for years, forbidden to return to their homes in Israel. What about all the refugees rotting in camps in Lebanon and Syria, who pray to return home?
As a world figure, an international leader, a Christian and follower of Kabbalah, we ask you to do a reality check. Are you being used to legitimise the Occupation of Palestine? Are you being exploited, without your full awareness? Has your wish to bring peace been co-opted by other forces?
Madonna. Esther. We pray you'll find the strength to set the example artists in the past have set. A spiritual role. One remembers apartheid South Africa, civil rights. Mahatma Gandhi's grandson was here last month, on such a mission.
It would be good if you speak up. To take up the cause of the dispossessed. To be a voice for the mute, the dumb, the hopeless weak. The underdog.
By saying no. No to apartheid. No to colonial landaholic land-grabs, that hide behind a "spiritual" pose. And lose all humanity, and stir up war, in doing so. Say no. Say no. Say no. Say no. Say no. One little word. The liberating: No.
In peace. (I hope we may meet to talk)
Angela Godfrey-Goldstein is Advocacy Officer for The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
A TEARFUL Madonna held a candlelit midnight vigil at a sacred Jewish grave yesterday.
The pop diva was one of 2000 Kabbalah students at the emotional ceremony in a Jerusalem graveyard.
Police officers carrying assault rifles escorted Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie to the Kiryat Shaul cemetery, where they visited Kabbalah guru Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag's grave.
The singer looked relaxed in jeans, a black sweater and cap with a large diamond-encrusted letter 'E' on a chain to symbolise her new Hebrew name, Esther.
The media presence clearly angered Guy, but his wife played peacemaker, saying: 'If you give us five minutes alone, we'll allow you to take a picture.'
Madonna spent an hour inside the stone mausoleum placing candles on the tomb, praying and chanting.
Led by a rabbi, she recited blessings over food and wine, drank from plastic cups and wept as she circled the raised stone grave.
Kabbalah followers believe praying at the graves of holy men can help people achieve their goals.
She then visited the Western Wall, part of Judaism's holiest site where the biblical temples stood, but some worshippers chanted: 'She has no right to be here.'
The Material Girl is on a controversial five-day spiritual quest to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and more than 1000 Israeli police officers have been drafted in to protect her and her devotees.
She has angered Jews, however, by breaking religious laws forbidding public transport on holy days, while Palestinians are furious at her decision to visit Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, deemed a symbol of Israel's occupation.
Madonna was raised a Roman Catholic but became a follower of Jewish mysticism in recent years.She wears a red thread on her wrist to ward off the evil eye and reportedly refuses to perform on the Jewish Sabbath.
She has also asked for food that meets strict Jewish dietary regulations.
Millions of Kabbalah students make pilgrimages every year to the more than 100 burial sites across the Holy Land, to pray for health, children or to find a mate.
Madonna has been protected by heavy security during her trip and two of her guards were arrested last Friday after a brawl with photographers.
Superstar couple Madonna and Guy Ritchie have been accused of receiving privileged treatment at Kabbalah meetings.
Followers of the mystical Jewish offshoot claim they had to drink water and wine from disposable plastic cups and eat off plastic plates at a recent $102-a-head event held at the Kabbalah Center in London.
Meanwhile, Madonna and Ritchie were reportedly served wine in crystal glasses and food in expensive dishes -- much to the fury of fellow members, and supposed equals, who had to concoct their own dinners.
One disgruntled attendee complains, "While we waited in line for water and a buffet of salmon, salad and hummus, to be consumed from plastic glasses and plates, Madonna sat at a table with wine bottles and blessed water."
07-27-2004 04:40 AM
to me.
