Some outspoken gays in Israel are criticising Madonna for taking part in a conference in Tel Aviv put on by Kabbalah - since Israeli leaders of the mystic Jewish secthave been vocal in their opposition to homosexuality. Mainstream Judaism has been critical of the Kabbalah movement, but Orthodox rabbis embraced Kabbalah leaders when they joined in voicing outrage over Worldpride in Israel and gay pride marches in Jerusalem. Last year Rabbi David Basri, head of the Kabbalah's Magen David Yeshiva in Jerusalem blamed gays for an outbreak of bird flu. Basri said the outbreak was God's punishment for the promotion of same-sex marriage. "The Bible says that God punishes depravity first through plagues against animals and then in people," Basri said in a religious edict. In 2004 he lashed out at gays on the eve of pride celebrations in Jerusalem: "This is not a disease or a deviation, but a straight-out abomination. Even animals don't behave this way... There is no place in the Holy City for such a phenomenon," he said. Several hundred Kabbalah followers from around the world took part in Jewish New Year observances in a Tel Aviv hotel on Thursday. Madonna attended, among other celebrities including Demi Moore and her husband, Ashton Kutcher. Madonna was raised Roman Catholic but has become a follower of Jewish mysticism in recent years. Shehas adopted the Hebrew name Esther and wears a red thread on her wrist to ward off the 'evil eye'. Ref: 365gay.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 16th September 2007 - 11:33am