Kabbala, Madonna and the Christ

Madonna and Christ
Originally uploaded by Greg Blosser.

By RACHEL HOAG
Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM

A song on Madonna's upcoming album dedicated to a Kabbalist rabbi is drawing criticism from other rabbis, the Israeli Maariv daily reported Sunday.
The album, "Confessions on a Dance Floor," is to be released on Nov. 15 and features a track entitled "Isaac" about Yitzhak Luria, a 16th century Jewish mystic and Kabbalah scholar.
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)."
Madonna spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment Sunday.
The singer and actress was raised a Roman Catholic but has become a follower of Kabbalah in recent years and adopted the Hebrew name Esther. She made a much publicized visit to Israel in 2004, when she visited many sites important to Kabbalah, but didn't travel to Luria's grave.


And this from Grace Central last night:

come ye sinners, poor and wretched,
weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you
full of pity joined with power
he is able, he is able
he is willing, doubt no more.



Kabbala rejects "such a woman" because she brings great sin upon Kabbala. Jesus calls "such a woman" SO THAT SHE MAY bring her great sin upon him, and thus recieve mercy, grace and transformation.
The beauty of the gospel as seen in contrast is overwhelming. At least to those of us who understand we too are "such a woman". He is able. He is willing. Doubt no more.