Shut Up, Already!
I will say it once and I will say it again: Shmuley Boteach is an embarassment to the Jewish religion.
Hiding behind the title of Rabbi, he continues to demean Judaism by constantly proffering his opinion on celebrities, and decrying their obsession with the limelight. Yet he himself displays a great love for the limelight.
In his latest tirade against celebrities, he has entered into a slanging match with Madonna.
Waging a cultural battle with pop star Madonna, WorldNetDaily columnist Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has responded to the entertainer’s reaction to his labeling her a “slut” and a “vulgarian.”The war of words began when Boteach wrote a column for the Jerusalem Post urging Phillip Berg, the head of the Kabbalah Center, to removed Madonna from her role as the spokesperson for the religious movement.
“Earth to Phillip Berg: Do us all a favor and dump Madonna as your principal spokesperson,” Boteach wrote. “Sorry to be so crass, but Madonna is a slut. Yes, she may sing, and she may dance. But she is famous for being a slut. And no religion dare have a slut as its principal representative.”
Continued Boteach: “[I]s the Kabbalah Center really so desperate that it is prepared to promote itself through a vulgarian whose main contribution to the culture is porn rock?”
According to a report in MSNBC, Madonn’a spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, shot back: “I find Rabbi Boteach’s comments regarding Madonna frightening. His vile attacks on her character and as an artist are staggering for someone who professes to be a religious person. … I suggest this man take a look at his own character and what problems he may have that would make him feel that he should make statements about a truly beautiful human being that he does not know in the slightest. …
“Madonna’s relationship with the Kabbalah and her commitment to (their) teachings has been a beautiful experience for her and the fact that Madonna wants to share her lessons … is yet another example of her truly generous and loving spirit.”
Boteach continued the dialogue yesterday, issuing the following statement:
For two decades, Madonna has been allowed to destroy the female recording industry by erasing the line that separates music from pornography. Before Madonna it was possible for women more famous for their voices than their cleavage, like the beautiful Ella Fitzgerald, to emerge as music superstars. But in the post-Madonna universe, even highly original performers like Janet Jackson now feel the pressure to expose their bodies on national TV in order sell albums. This in turn has spawned the lascivious careers of Madonna copycats like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
How tragic that 60 years after feminism rightly demanded that women cease being treated as the lecherous man’s plaything and instead be accorded the dignity of an equally intelligent and dignified member of society, Madonna has been allowed to undo so much of that progress with barely a whimper of protest.
But while it is unbecoming of responsible feminist leaders not to speak out at Madonna’s wholesale vulgarization of the female image, it would be downright scandalous for Jewish religious leaders not to object to Madonna being promoted as the foremost practitioner of Judaism in the world. Judaism and Kabbalah are, above all else, moral disciplines that demand a striving for moral excellence. Stripping on stage and calling oneself a Kabbalist are mutually exclusive.
For Madonna to put herself forward as a spiritual spokesperson while continuing to degrade women by simulating sex acts at music concerts, portray full nudity in her movies, and to ridicule lesbians by performing same-sex kisses merely for TV ratings, is a mockery of her claims to a life of spiritual renewal based on the teachings of the Kabbalah.
Women like Liz Rosenberg especially, who have greatly distinguished themselves professionally through their brains rather than their busts, should be at the forefront of criticizing Madonna’s assault on feminine dignity.
Kabbalah is a spiritual movement rooted in Jewish mysticism that recently has become popular with Hollywood celebrities.
Now don’t get me wrong – I am no huge fan of Madonna, and agree with much of what Boteach says here. However, what purpose does calling her a “slut” serve? Is she going to say to herself “You know what, that weird little Rabbi is on to something. I better change”? Or, rather, are people going to be mislead as to what the true role of a Rabbi is?
Whether it be his constant interviews with CNN, involvement with Michael Jackson, or interview with Playboy magazine about his book “Kosher Sex”, Boteach is doing his own whoring. Perhaps he would be better served staying out of the limelight. I know our religion would be.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: MT Archives
Hmm. He IS doing his own “whoring”, sure. But he is right though, she is a slut. he could have used different words. But can you honestly say that Madonna pretending to be this great big Kabbalist, when she clearly doesn’t have the foggiest idea what Kabbalah is about, doesn’t get on your nerves more? Don’t you find that offensive, as an orthodox jew? The Lazer Beam recently had a good blog entry on this.
Personally I read stuff by Shmuley from time to time, and I like him.. But hey, just practising freedom of speach here
As I mentioned in the blog entry, I am no fan of Madonna. Her obsession with Kabbalah is annoying, but I don’t even consider what she does to be the real deal. It is some watered down, hokey version of what Kabbalah may be. The people peddling this brand of “pop Kabbalah” have been the object of my scorn in the past.
My issue with Boteach is that he does not act in a way becoming of a Rabbi. He gravitates to the cameras and media, and does not act with the dignity expected from someone in his position. What kind of Rabbi would publically call someone a “slut”? Even if this is true, we expect more from a Rabbi, whose lips are meant for Torah and not profanity.
I thought religious Jewish men couldn’t listen to an adult woman singing, much less look at women’s music videos what with all the “music pornography” he insists on. So hoooooooow does he get his opinions?
Hehe that’s a good point Micol. I guess he goes undercover, lol.
But anyway, Dave. What you’re saying is all true, of course. I’m just saying that Madonna’s fame is much more extensive than that of Shmuley, and eventhough he clearly has a far greater moral obligation as a rabbi… well, she can cause damage, and well like I said before. I think it’s degrading. And I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Madonna would soon announce that Kabbalah has inspired her to convert to Judaism. Then she’ll practise being a “good jew”, by lighting Shabbat candles in her thong on stage, and they’ll write about it in the newspapers. Okay maybe you think I’m being paranoid, but is this really that unrealistic?
I don’t think that Boteach thinks he really can make Madonna change, but rather likes to make himself heard. And when he speaks to the media, he gives Judaism a bad name. More so than if Madonna lit Shabbat candles on stage, because they are judged to different standards.
What does he mean Madonna is a slut? I don’t remember seeing anything in the media about her being unfaithful to her husband, and I’m sure it would have made it to the media if there had been anything. And even beyond that, what is he saying? She slept around while she was single? She had sex with people she wasn’t married to? Oh horrors!! I’m sure nobody who does that ought to be taken seriously in anything at all!! Or is it just that he doesn’t like how she dresses…?