Sex Godesses And Kabbalah
Written by Michael   
Friday, 20 October 2006

Question:

What do you say about teaching Kabbalah to people like Madonna?

Answer:

Image Regarding teaching a woman KabbaIah, I suppose if you do it by e-mail, it might be OK, since it is forbidden to look at women to enjoy their beauty, especially a woman who makes a living out of purveying her sexual charms. Whatever interest in spirituality that Madonna might have, she is still an erotic symbol, known as a sex goddess around the world.

Very few men are able to look at a woman like this without experiencing an immediate sexual reaction or thought. Thus, merely looking at Madonna would cause a man to transgress the Torah prohibition not to "stray after your hearts and your eyes" (Numbers 15:39).

It should be noted that not only is it forbidden to gaze at a woman's beauty, it is equally forbidden to hear a woman sing at live concerts and the like, since a woman's singing voice is considered sexually provocative. Even hearing a singer like Madonna on the radio is forbidden, since her singing is loaded with sexual undertones.

As far as other celebrities are concerned, if a Jewish celebrity makes a deep commitment to adopting a holy lifestyle in line with the commandments of the Torah, then the study of Kabbalah can be an important addition to regular Torah study. The study of Kabbalah is certainly not to be approached as a hobby or fad.

Regarding non-Jews, if a person converts to Judaism with the sincere desire to observe all of the Torah's commandments, then the study of Kabbalah can go hand-in-hand with his or her other Torah studies. However, regarding non-Jews who do not intend to convert to Orthodox Judaism, it is questionable if Kabbalah should be taught to them in any shape or form.
Last Updated ( Friday, 20 October 2006 )