Very interesting post, Larry--you even made me chuckle with the image of the Hasidic Jews on the Calvin Klein runway! I had never really thought of it as "fashionable" but you raise interesting points. It's a shame that we need celebrities to tell us when it is ok to accept another group.


On an unrelated note--I posted to the Road Map page a few weeks ago, and I can edit the article (which it needs, there's some glaring spelling/grammar mistakes). Any thoughts?

I thought I wanted to be Jewish a few years ago, before all this Kabballah nonsense came about.

 

When did religion become a fashion statement? It is to bad....

I thought I wanted to be Jewish a few years ago, before all this Kabballah nonsense came about.

Just because the Kaballa might be adhered to by some non Jewish idiots, does not mean it is nonsense.

Kudos on the Hasidic imagery... wow is that a newspaper cartoon waiting to happen.

Often, we see people turn to a buffet-style form of spirituality. Whatever floats your boat, toss what doesn't. I suppose that's more philosophy than faith. Faith isn't as easy.

I have to say, as a Christian, I'm eager to know all I can about our Jewish roots and study all I can on the topic. I admire the Hasidic Jewish committment regarding "dating" relationships. I want that same kind of committment and type of dating relationship I find lacking in pop culture's approach to dating and finding "the one." By no means does that make me desire to become Jewish. However I do have a keen appreciation of Judiasim, enjoy using colorful words from Yiddish, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Question: why do you think Judiasm is becomming fashionable (point taken on Britney's version of Judiasm not being orthodox)? Does our nation's tradition of supporting Israel and growing awareness of the tradition have anything to do with it? Or perhaps the abandonment of Israel by other world powers? Just wondering about politics stirring the pop culture pot. Maybe it's just the Jewish comedic talent...

"There's nothing like a fresh MLT... when the mutton is sliced really thin..."

Just because the Kaballa might be adhered to by some non Jewish idiots, does not mean it is nonsense

You know what, give me a little credit, would you?  I actually do read and study the things I speak about. I thought for some time about converting to Judaism, and practiced Jewish customs and traditions for over a year.  To me, some of Kaballah IS nonsense.  Not all of it, but some is.  Just as some of Christianity's concepts and ideals are nonsensical to me.

The point I was trying to make with that statement was that people are treating religion as an accessory.  The red 'Ruth's string' is being seen around the wrist of more and more celebrities...all of a sudden it's 'cool' to be a Kabbalist. 

 

Kaballah musnt be taken out of context. It is an integral PART of a religion. To adhere only to it does not make one Jewish. To refer to someones holy books as nonsense is downright rude.
There are many aspects of all religions that might seem strange to someone if they do not have a background of the entire concept.
Yes, certain things might seem strange, but nonsense, I think not.

Didn't Sammy Davis Jr. also convert?

This kind of thing just fuels the wacko-cult theorists who believe hollywood and washington are rife with secret associations of affluent people. Maybe it is true. If it is, though, I'd be a lot more intimidated by their managers and publicists than their own empty-headed antics.

Good article as usual, Kupe .

This kind of thing just fuels the wacko-cult theorists who believe hollywood and washington are rife with secret associations of affluent people. Maybe it is true. If it is, though, I'd be a lot more intimidated by their managers and publicists than their own empty-headed antics.

OMG...I find myself in agreement with BakerStreet...
Will miracles never cease?

Good article as usual, Kupe

Thank you, BakerStreet!

OMG...I find myself in agreement with BakerStreet... Will miracles never cease?

Manopeace, where better than on a thread on Kabbalah for a miracle to happen?
Actually, I think that you will find that the longer that you know BakerStreet, the more areas of agreement you will find. Outspoken as he may sometimes be, his positions are always backed up facts and he LISTENS to dissenting points of view.

Now back to Kabbalah. I recommend 9 1/2 Mystics as a good book on Jewish mysticism. I read that years ago in a class on comparitive religion. My teacher then offered the theory that all forms of mysticism have more in common with each other than they do with the root religion from which they arise. At the core, they all embrace the idea that individuals can have contact with the Infinite (Yahweh, Adoshem, Allah, Jesus, Brahma or Buddha) without intervention of the orthodox clergy. In other words, that you can meet G-d one on one. That is the attraction and that is also why the orthodox branches always disdain them. The path may be whirling like a Dervish (Islam,) or tranposing the Hebrew letters of the Torah or eating mushrooms or peircing your body (the American Indian sundance ceremony being practicised by whites down in Florida today,) but that is the shared concept.

And yes, we non-believers often describe them as "wacky." But in all fairness, what do think the Patriarch Abraham's father said when he found that his son had shattered all his idols?

Linsay Lohan, teen queen actress, has also been seen sporting a red bracelet that is supposed to have something to do with Kabbalah. Maybe this is the new scientology.

I just wonder where these celebraties find all the spare time to learn about and become inspired by these religions? Maybe the Church of England should try a mailshot.

I think mysticism religions are also attractive because they're a way to "tame" God. All the nice stuff, none of the bad stuff like conviction, judgment, or righteousness getting in the way. Often they take a grain of truth and surround it in ever-increasing jumps of logic, often based on feelings. (This is a generality.)

I read what you said about contact with the Infinite, Larry, and I have to say the orthodox Christianity still fits this line of thought. We believe in a real relationship with the infinite. For us, the troubling mysticism arises from gnoctism and diminshes what Christ did in the way of a relationship. For instance, the popular The DaVinci Code is purely gnostic. I think the reason orthodox religions despise mysticisms is because it is a perversion of orthodoxy and a therfore a form of heresy.

i think any religion that grants special knowledge and power to a sub-set of its members will always be reviled. There are quite a few religions that trickle in dogma as members become more trusted or "faithful". To me, the further a religion leans in that direction, the more cultish it appears.

That's the vibe I get from Hollywood kabbalists, anyway. It smacks more of "secret society" than religion. Not unlike Scientology that was mentioned previously.

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