Religion & Beliefs
An Open Letter To Madonna
By AmyGuth / September 18, 2007
Maddy,
It's not that I don't like you. I don't personally know you, of course, and I once bought Like A Virgin (as a new release, and on vinyl, ahem) and loved it. And until now I've resisted commenting about your Jew-ish schtick, because I found it a bit too half-hearted to really stir me. But your "I'm an ambassador for Judaism" comment right there with Israeli President Shimon Peres floored me and hurt me on a deeper level than I imagined something like that would.
You are not Jewish. As far as I know, you're not even really all that Jew-ish. I am Jewish, and I am offended that you are speaking on my behalf. On our behalf. I've studied a great deal about other religions, but, just because I think, say the idea of patron saints is a cool concept, or just because I agree deeply with some Buddhist teachings, doesn't mean I'd haul off and declare myself an ambassador for those traditions. If I felt strongly enough about Catholicism or Buddhism, I'd be Catholic or Buddhist. And, even then, if I were to jump religions, I can't imagine feeling qualified to be an ambassador. But that's just me. I can recognize beauty and find ideas resonant without taking it for my own. I know you're really gung-ho about Kabbalah, as are a lot of celebrities. And I find non-Jewish interest in Judaism to be the highest compliment; a testament to the beautiful ideas and concepts we hold so dearly and that make me so proud of my Jewishness. But, I'd like to remind you that Kabbalah is not a religion. Kabbalah is an ancient set of Jewish mystical concepts. And one is supposed to be both a Torah and Talmud master before beginning the study of Kabbalah. I can say confidently, without knowing you personally, that you, Madonna, are not a Torah and Talmud master. If I may be so frank, you're a woman with a shit-pot of money and worldwide fame. Those two things open a lot of doors, but they often insulate a person from authentic information/experiences and cause a lot of people to give you authority that hasn't necessarily been earned. You worked hard for your success, and I'm not begrudging you the fruits of your labors. But are you aware of how deeply you are irritating to some of the peoplehood you claim to adore? Anyone would recognize your authority in matters of music, singing, dance, celebrity, and wealth, but I'm not comfortable with your authority in Jewish matters. Maybe because you're not Jewish.
I wouldn't stand in front of President Shimon Peres and declare myself an ambassador to Judaism, and I'm not only Jewish but gung-ho about being Jewish. I just don't think I'm narcissistic enough to think my Jewishness can speak for anyone but myself. In fact, I think Judaism, by nature, is anti-ambassador. We don't get "preached to" but rather we "discuss and consider for ourselves". So, yeah. There's that. Anyway, check this out.
- A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.
- A diplomatic official heading his or her country's permanent mission to certain international organizations, such as the United Nations.
- An authorized messenger or representative.
- An unofficial representative: ambassadors of goodwill.
See my point, Maddy? The two things that stick out to me are "of highest rank" and "authorized". Nobody charged you, nobody urged you, nobody asked you. You decided you speak for me and I have to be honest and tell you thanks but no thanks. However, I do want to point out the words "usually for a specific length of time" and inquire about your plan in this regard…?
The Times Online's (UK) Hugo Rifkind wrote today (I'm sure you are aware of this publication, as the UK seemed to be the last thing you half-heartedly co-opted, alienating the shit out of folks both in the UK and here in the US, where you are actually from) that you are "to actual Judaism what the Beach Boys were to actual surfing (in that you can’t do it, and don't really want to, but pretend it has influenced your songs)" which I found quite funny. What do you think about that? I'm sure, since you are a human being, that criticism isn't pleasant. Does it offend you because you feel so deeply connected to Judaism and our peoplehood that this accusation makes you feel misunderstood?
Because, here's the thing. If you wanted to actually be Jewish, if you studied with a rabbi and the two of you felt you found your place inside of Judaism and fit within Judaism as you are, if you went before a beit din and went to mikveh, I would welcome you, just as I would welcome anyone who felt strongly enough to convert. But, you aren't. You haven't.
I'm protective of Judaism. It isn't always easy to be Jewish. You're like our sparkly little fair-weather friend. By that I mean, you're a friend-of-the-Jewcy, which is better than being an aspiring Jew-exterminator, of course. (By the by, I was sorry to hear about what Popular Resistance said about you. That's got to be scary.) You put Rosh HaShanah and Purim in People magazine, which I suppose might lead to Judaism being a bit less mysterious to non-Jews, perhaps. But, on the same token, putting Rosh HaShanah and Purim in the news makes it all seem glamorous rather than meaningful. And, when something starts on that path, it gets misunderstood and whitewashed and co-opted and cheapened.
I can't begrudge anyone anything from which they derive meaning and sacredness, but I'd really encourage you to think about how your behavior looks to those of us you mean to "represent," and those of us you profess to care so deeply for. If you feel good about Judaism, please remember "chosen people" doesn't mean elevated in importance in the great karmic pecking order, but it means we choose greater responsibility for repairing the world around us and caring for one another.
Just something to mull over and think about. I do appreciate your willingness to embrace many paths as well as how eager you are to reinvent yourself. My hope for you is that one day, you find a spiritual home that evolves with you and you with it, and that it is one you can finally live in with your whole self.
B'Shalom,
Amy Guth
Post Script: While you have really got some chuptzah to ink out one of the 72 names for the source of the universe on your arm, your new Hebrew tattoo does, I'll admit, look really badass, and I can see the theoretical appeal in the explanation your Kabbalah Center Guy offered, I guess, about manifesting things in your own life. Perhaps you might encourage your old pal Britney to take the advice on the "healing" nature of her tattoo. Girlfriend is pretty cracked-out these days.
Post-Post Script: I sort of like to run to that song that you sampled ABBA to make. I didn't understand the suntan pantyhose leggings in the video, though.
[Note: This post has been edited since publication.]
POST A COMMENT
when her book came out-in bed with madonna – i had a much better title for it ; in the toilet with madonna.
however as much as i dislike her,there are a few things to say. from being so outrageously perverted and sleazy, to becoming spiritual well it has a huge influenceÂ
on the world. something that ordinary people could never achieve.
 there is the verse in the bible that says ; i will move you to jealousy with a people that are not a people
she sure has achieved that, she has more influence than all the rabbi’s put together. come to think of it if the rabbi’s had been doing a decent job in the first place we would not need madonna to do their work for them.
so maybe hashem has a great sense of humour and uses the weird people to preach the message, who do we have in the missionary field – chabad, breslov. who else.she gets results that no one else can.
that she has not the sense to be modest well why are you surprised. she spent her career wondering around in underwear and waving her guttes around for all to see. hardly a role model of modesty,humility. she is a huge star,hard to keep humble.
again the rabbi’s – look how peaock proud some of them are, and they just influence a very small group of people, compared to her. and then they pretend to be modest.
ugh ugh ugh false modesty ugh i prefer modanna any day, she acted like a slut always never any confusion about that. if she is really spiritual enough to want to love the creator of the world, good for her.
i am certainly in no position to point fingers at her – yom kippur when i read out the list of sins, very few that i could say – no i dont do that.
 most of the time it was yes, did that, yes, yes, guilty, not so often anymore,once in a while lose my temper but then i make up for the all time i controlled it with a fierce outburst like the one the day before yom kippur.
i still dont like her much but who am i to judge hashem, if everything is from the heaven, which i really believe, that means her too. good or bad.
i wish that the religious jews would have her zeal and speak out against all the terrible things that are happening, about messiah now, about spirituality, about wrong and right, about about about
just stop being such cowards in so many cases, hiding behind lashon hara to allow wicked people to continue raping and damaging our children. playing the game being part of the system.
i prefer madonna – she is far more honest.
ruth in the holy city of jerusalem
I have no idea to what extent what Kabbalah centers teach resembles Jewish Kabbalah. I have a strong memory of being told by a Reform Rabbi in the early 1980s that "Kabbalah is evil."` By then I had left the Reform movement and this remark, which I countered by pointing to the Kabbalistis symbols that Rabbi was wearing at that moment, confirmed my exit.Â
There has always been a place for Noahides in Judaism. There has never been anything wrong with a non-Jewish accepting Jewish belief and not converting. And Jewish belief is a varied thing. Given my limited knowledge of the Kabbalah Centers, I will refrain from Judging whether or not Madonna is a Noahide, but I can tell you she eats at the same Kosher Pizza Place I do. I also see Hasids in there from time to time. Great Pizza. Pizza Roma in NYC at Amsterdam and 102 St. But I digress.
There appears to be different forms of Noahidism for every Orthodox Jewish sect. Hers may be acceptable to somebody. It also seems to me that her recent costumes show less. Â
We all make impressions about what we believe on other people. Frankly, I'm glad she realizes she is doing that.
Beyond that, most (but by no means all) converts are both enthusiatic and shallow in their understanding. We are just not used to them.
Z,
The most vehement critics of Madonna find themselves in the odd position of arguing and debating over something that she herself has little control over. I do believe her celebrity has fostered interest, scrutiny, criticism and at times resentment. Call it the nature of the beast.Â
ELL
. Â
Madonna should be more sensitive. Judaism is not some fad to be taken up all of a sudden. Its a very old and rich religion. Jewish people have endured enough in their history they should not have to put up with any people misrepresenting their faith!
Kabbalah is not Jewish, it pre dates the Jewish religon. You do not have to be Jewish to practice Kabbalah. Although in the past it has been practiced by Jewish mystics, it in it self is not Jewish nor is it a religon. Just because someone practices Kabbalah does not make them Jewish. I just thought I would clear that up for you guys. Modana may be a Kabbalist but she is not a jew.
You know, I think most of the comments on this blog are so relevant. Whether we believe she is cheapening the religion, thinking 12 steps ahead, made a casual comment, or is providing beneficial/harmful attention on Judaism/Kabbalah Centre, the discussion is enlightening. I thought that I felt “one” way about the situation, but now I am going to think about the varied interpretations (and that, of course, can transmit to other elements of other discussions). Thanks to everyone.
Ziva Lehava
Who is Madonna?
And anonymous of Sept. 18, 3:00pm:
The words is spelled “Teats” not Tits!
Hi Amy,
Your post was brilliant, and it perfectly captured everything I’d been thinking about this whole Madonna episode. I found her “ambassador” comment to be presumptuous and borderline patronizing, and I can’t escape the feeling that she and her Hollywood pals treat Judaism as though it was the latest trendy, must-have accessory.
Well said!
Liza
Well written. Perfectly executed. Amen.
No real opinion on her ambassador comment–who cares?–but this hideous tendency of equating superficial knowledge of an advanced system such as kabbalah with somehow tapping into the soul of Judaism is pretty presumptuous. Â
She is not “promoting” Judaism! She is USING elements of Judaism…to promote HERSELF. Duh.
Madonna, with her obvious borderline personality/religious disorder,offends me because I think she may have a bit of a “messiach” complex here, and it may become quite apparent in the future? I wonder what her actual motivation is behind this absurd “ambassador” proclamation. Oh, and by the way, I don’t believe Madonna ever “casually” says anything. That woman has always known what she was doing…seemingly thinking 12 moves ahead. It’s how she got to where she is. Just my opinion.
hard to comment on subject such as Madonna and her Jewishness. I do not think
she should be taken “seriously” by those who practice Judaism. She is what she is and to take her seriously and to give her “writing and comments” such as yours is to promote her interests and not the Jew that lies in all of us. The trouble is not with her but with the world of actors and actresses that the public adores them and specially when they go “off” the main path.
I do not rest my case but you should — enough ink or print already has been spilled on a subject not worthy of its cause…and Madonna is all pleased I am sure that people talk about her Jewishness and not her body or her singing…voila.
Thanks, Amy for your posting. It just needed to be said. Or written. Or something. And you did it well. You rock!
Don't judge, don't judge, don't judge…such an easy maxim to espouse. And yet, in the end it is dangerous in this instance. You say that Madonna might inspire some people to learn something about Judaism in the process, but this is my point Esther; precisely what people would be learning. Thus why Madonna's ambassador comment is both dangerous and offensive. The very movement that you willingly joined would not even recognize Madonna as anything resembling a Jew, having neither a Jewish parent or gone in front of a bet din (or even, say, studied Judaism). And Madonna has never actually studied Judaism at all. Hell, she hasn't even really studied Kabbalah. In that sense it is doubly offensive, for misrepresenting the very nature of the religion itself, and bastardizing one of its more complex, exclusive (in a good way) traditions. This isn't a case of someone who has studied/lived a Jewish life, yet for whatever reason doesn't feel like she/he needs to go through a formal conversion. Personally and philosophically I would still disagree with that choice (in the sense that, yes, there is a need for recognized standards in a way), but it would still be different than Madonna who has no actual interest in or knowledge of Judaism.
Think of it this way, let's seperate ourselves from the Jewish-angle for a moment (since, we tend to be–for good reasons–oft-hesitant to judge or place a value on one's personal ideas or values). If I proclaimed myself to be an ambassador for Buddhism just because I have a passing interest in yoga, would that not be thoroughly offensive to all of the people who study Buddhism in a serious and significant manner? Would that not be the co-option of a long, wonderful, beautiful tradition and history?
Would you be reacting the same way if this was, say, Sebastian Bach and not Madonna?
Thanks, zbird, for saying what I was thinking. When you look at Madonna's statement in context, it's clear that she was using the word "ambassador" casually, in the same sense that I'm an ambassador for eggplant since I tell everybody who'll listen that it's delicious and they should eat more of it. I doubt she was thinking "hmmm…what word should I choose to convey my belief that I am a high-ranking Jew who speaks for Jews everywhere?".
I also have a problem with questioning her Jewishness. Who are we to say what is in her heart? It's like how some Jews would say I'm not really a a Jew because I (1) converted (2) in the reform tradition. I think they're wrong, but then who am I to say that Madonna isn't a Real Jew because she didn't follow the same conversion process I did? Her belief seems sincere. If Madge wants to call herself a Jew (and maybe inspire some people to learn something about Judaism in the process), I'm all for it.
Thanks, zbird, for saying what I was thinking. When you look at Madonna's statement in context, it's clear that she was using the word "ambassador" casually, in the same sense that I'm an ambassador for eggplant since I tell everybody who'll listen that it's delicious and they should eat more of it. I doubt she was thinking "hmmm…what word should I choose to convey my belief that I am a high-ranking Jew who speaks for Jews everywhere?".
I also have a problem with questioning her Jewishness. Who are we to say what is in her heart? It's like how some Jews would say I'm not really a a Jew because I (1) converted (2) in the reform tradition. I think they're wrong, but then who am I to say that Madonna isn't a Real Jew because she didn't follow the same conversion process I did? If Madge wants to call herself a Jew (and maybe inspire some people to learn something about Judaism in the process), I'm all for it.
Madonna is the Virgin Mary
Madonna is a slut and not worthy to be called an ambassador of any religion.
Z.,
No, I don;t believe it indicates that at all. I have not put any words in Madonna's mouth.
http://guthagogo.com
Adam,
I have zero background on Madonna's statement but judging only from the part you quoted, it doesn't at all seem like she's "proclaiming" herself to be an ambassador to Judaism so much as stating a simple fact–that she effectively is an ambassador to Judaism because she travels all over the world meeting tons of people, and all they ask her about lately is Judaism. Here's the quote once more:
“Everyone I meet talks to me only about that (she's talking about the Zohar here). I am an ambassador for Judaism.”Â
Madonna gets so much attention that she will automatically become an ambassador for anything that mildly interests her, be it Judaism, the UK (as stated in the blog), or synchronized swimming. Is it a shame that so many people on our planet have nothing better to do than obsess about celebrities? Of course. But is that really Madonna's fault? Â
To Amy: I'm not sure what you intend by quoting the dictionary definition of ambassador. It's clear from Madonna's comments that she puts herself in category 4: " An unofficial representative." The fact that the words "authorized" and "highest rank" stick out to you only indicates that you put those words in Madonna's mouth. Â
–Z
I see your objection and I don’t disagree with your primary criticism of the Kaballah center. Certainly she couldn’t possibly be the kind of spokesperson you describe.
Nonetheless I think that her identification with the Jewish people is a good thing and is beneficial. Ultimately I think getting offended and pissing off those who consider themselves our supporters is not very helpful to the Jewish people.
I don’t understand why you’re so offended about Madonna’s statement. What she means by her statement is that she is supportive of the Jewish people and the Jewish religion. There are many people who look up to her in the world, Muslim and Christian and otherwise. The way I understand it, she is stating that her association with Jews and the state of Israel will help win suport among her minions. This is clearly a positive thing.
Also I am somewhat shocked at the attack by Jewcers, many of whom are criticized in the same why by other elements within the Jewish establishment.
My guess would be that actual Sufists would be quite offended (and rightfully so) that someone with comparatively little knowledge or experience practicing their lifestyle and religion would be so presumptuous as to claim special knowledge of or expertise in their religion. What's more, here is Madonna who hasn't say studied Torah or Gemara proclaiming herself to be a spokesperson for world Judaism, a religion that she does not even actually follow. Heck, those of us who actually have studied such things would never be so presumptuous to assume that our particular perspective could ever be representative of anything other than personal interpretation.Â
I find that comment irrelevant. If someone wants to promote Judiasm and portray it positively they get my support. Especially in this day and age when Judiasm is on the attack in many levels in society.
Regarding your comment on Sufism, I’m sure the Sufi’s would welcome you. Of course you wouldn’t get the press coverage.
And why are you getting your tits in an uproar?
If Madonna wants to pronounce herself as an ‘ambassador to Judiasm’ then she has my support. I personally think its a great idea, considering the huge numbers of anti-ambassadors we get, some of them right here on this website.
If you want to get your feathers in an uproar, then do it over Norman Finklestein or some shmuck like that.
Madonna is a well-intentioned, decent person who also happens to be a fine musician.
Jeremy, exactly, right? Perfectly said. Thank you.
Katie, I'm loving the whole foods part. Thanks!
http://guthagogo.com
While I'm sure Madonna's intentions were noble, the irony of course, is that anyone qualified to be an "Ambassador of Judaism" would never make such a proclamation.
“I think Judaism, by nature, is anti-ambassador. We don’t get “preached to” but rather we “discuss and consider for ourselves”.”
Lahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhved that.
Beautifully written and so true. Being misrepresented is just wrong, wrong, wrong. What are we? Shiny fruit at Whole Foods. Madge’s approach is arrogant, presumptuous and demeans the entire foundation and principal of Judaism.
MOT? Not! (That’s my reality TV contribution “Tag”)
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