1. Madonna has always been known as the original "Material Girl". However, ever since her conversion to Kabbalah in 1998 she has been a spokesperson for this sect of Judaism, especially within Hollywood. She has been rumored to have introduced Kabbalah to Britney Spears, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, and David and Victoria Beckham. In the Israeli newspaper "Yediot Ahronot" Madonna commented that the discipline taught her that "fame and fortune were not the end but only the beginning". Raised Catholic, Madonna credits Kabbalah with giving her the “answers” she was looking for that she could never find within Christianity.
The most interesting aspect of Kabbalah as exemplified by celebrities such as Madonna is the fashion that has stemmed out of the discipline. Kabbalah bracelets and clothing are now worn by many celebrities and thus many of their fans buy into the fashion and in some cases the religion itself.
Some see this surge in Kabbalistic fashion as a materialization of the religion. One rabbi in particular, Immanuel Schochet, agrees with these celebrity critics saying that the center is "not just a cult, but a dangerous cult...They are distorting kabbalah...taking some of our sacred books and reducing it to mumbo jumbo, all kinds of hocus-pocus." Madonna herself poked fun at this common accusation when she was spotted leaving a Kabbalah center sporting a tshirt that read “Cult Member”.
(http://www.absolutemadonna.com/interesting/kabbalah.jpg)
2. Kabbalah has been popularized in the modern age largely through popular culture. It has revealed itself as one of the leading religious affiliations among celebrities and from it has stemmed a few fashion trends. The most recognized of these are the evil eye (both in jewelry and clothing) and the red string bracelet.
In Judaism the evil eye is meant to represent “malignant spiritual influence caused by the jealousy of others”. To combat this much of Judaic jewelry that contains the evil eye is also paired with the hamsa hand, which represents the “Hand of God”. However, jewelry and clothing containing this symbol of the “evil eye” is often worn without the hand, as is seen on celebrities such as Rachel Ray, Alicia Keys, and and Paris Hilton.
The red string is the other common fashion expression of kabbalah. It represents the red string that was wound around Rachel’s grave. The bracelet is worn on the left hand, a symbol asking for God’s spiritual protection and blessings. It also reminds the wearer to fight against “selfish urges”. The bracelet has been seen on a number of celebrities lately, including Madonna, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Lauren Conrad.
(http://www.amuletgifts.com/images/LL053.jpg)
(http://www.hollyscoop.com/style/51675/images/hollywoods-new-obsession-otrera-evil-eye-scarves-1633.aspx)
(http://www.thefashionrow.com/images/262.jpg)
(http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2004/04/gallery/britneyyearend/bspears3.jpg)
3. The popularization of kabbalah, especially in Hollywood, proves that it follows the interpenetration model. This sect of Judaism has been made relevant and accessible to everyone, even the elite. However, although kabbalah does have a significant following of celebrities, it is hard to discern whether the excitement and subsequent fashion trends over the religion are sincere or just hype. The home page of a website called kabbalahredbracelet.com tells its readers that “Red String Kabbalah bracelets are the hottest item these days. Everywhere - from Jerusalem to LA, everyone is wearing them.The Red String has the Power of Protection and is an antidote to the negative effects of the dreaded Evil Eye. Wear it and find out for yourself why millions of people wont leave home without it.” It seems that this has been the exact mentality that has followed kabbalah for the last couple years among celebrities: although wearing the bracelet is meant to symbolize the wearer’s commitment to the discipline, it is often reduced to the mere purpose of warding off “evil spirits”. Because of this it would seem that in this situation “culture” is using “religion”. The popular culture has latched onto kabbalah fashion for mostly selfish desires. Elements such as the evil eye and red string bracelet are said to ward off ill will and provide protection for the wearer, and many celebrities have “adopted” the fashion as more of a trend than actual involvement or interest in the faith. Madonna, who seems to have started the “trend” in Hollywood, ironically seems to be the only celebrity who has actually taken a real interest in kabbalah. She even went so far as to criticize Paris Hilton for her “involvement” in the discipline. In an interview Madonna told the website The Scoop, “People like Paris Hilton come into a center and buy a book or a band and that’s it for them. It doesn’t mean they study it. It’s very hard to be a believer. I’m very serious about it.” However, it seems that the kabbalah centers are not concerned with this insincere following among celebrities. For example, the clothing company Shragano just recently signed a deal with an LA kabbalah center to “market clothes using the once-sacred symbols of the kabbalah”. Indeed kabbalah has gained quite a following in he past years and this may be due in part to the way in which kabbalah leaders are using popular culture to their advantage. This “new form” of kabbalah does not hold individuals accountable for striving for morality or a high good, and rather promises them blessings and protection, an aspect that is extremely valued in today’s “me” culture.
"Madonna Slams Hilton's Kabbalah "Dabbling" | News About | Moono.com." Free Celebrity Pictures | Celebrity News | Biographies & Movie Reviews | Moono.com. Web.
"Judaism.com - About the Red Kabbalah String." Judaism.com - Jewish Books, Judaica, Jewish Gifts & Judaica Giftware, Jewish Religious Items And More. Web.
Barker, Olivia. "USATODAY.com - Madonna has faith on a string." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Web.
Hilton, Perez. "Madge In Translation | PerezHilton.com." Celebrity gossip juicy celebrity rumors Hollywood gossip blog from Perez Hilton. Web.
Rich, Tracey. "Signs and Symbols." Judaism 101. Web.
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