(Los Angeles Times) Yossi Klein Halevi - Madonna's visit to Israel last week, as part of a High Holidays pilgrimage organized by the Los Angeles-based Kabbalah Centre, was greeted here with an enthusiasm deeper than mere excitement at the presence of a pop superstar. Israelis were understandably grateful to her for showing solidarity with their besieged country and for defying the fear of terrorism that has kept so many tourists away. Her very presence reminded Israelis that they still had friends around the world. However reassuring, Madonna's embrace should be treated by Jews warily. No less disturbing for religious Jews is the Centre's doctrinal distortion of cabala, the ancient mystical tradition revered as the inner sanctum of Judaic devotion and thought.
2004-09-24 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive