Did Madonna really brainwash A-Rod? These were the questions I was asked yesterday on Entertainment Tonight as they explored the sex, romance and religion story of the moment. My answer to the second question was already explored in yesterday's posting, but the answer to the first may be more relevant to any of us who seek a meaningful spiritual path and a supportive community with whom to share it.
If by work, we mean, can the practice of certain rituals guarantee the outcomes we desire? I would say, no, Kabbalah doesn't work. Although there is even a stream of thought within Jewish mystical thought which says that can and does happen - that we can perform acts on earth which compel God to provide what we desire. Though even masters of that approach do not teach that everyone can get what they want if they "just insert prayer A into heaven B".
But if by work, we mean, are there practices which can transform our lives, get us more in touch with our own spiritual capacity, and give us a sense of greater wholeness? Then I would say, yes, Kabbalah can work. Let's take the example of the red thread which people, including my own mother, wear and associate with Kabbalah.
Anyone who believes that the wearing of that thread is a guarantor of full protection or good outcomes is likely to be deeply disappointed. But the idea that one could wear a simple thread which reminds them of God's presence and the fact that as people, we have the power to perform sacred acts which have profound and often unforeseen consequences is great.
The red thread is not an insurance policy; it is a token of relationship with something greater than yourself, and a statement to yourself and the world of your own sacredness and spiritual dignity. Not only is it vital that we all have such tokens in our lives, but this one is simply an adaptation of the ritual fringes, tzitzit, which Moses commands the newly freed Israelites to wear for precisely the same reasons. And I love that so many people have found their way to that consciousness through this new/old ritual.
I also want to thank Carolyn G., who responded so beautifully to yesterday's posting and the comments it evoked about the so-called over-popularization of Kabbalah and Jewish ritual. Here's what she wrote:
Saying that non-Jews who involve themselves in Kabbalah cheapens Kabbalah is like saying that non-religious people who involve themselves in learning about G-d cheapens G-d. Both are what they are. Neither can be cheapened by anything or anybody.
Listen to this wise woman! If the faiths we follow and the God we worship are truly infinite, then they can never be cheapened of diluted because each of those terms presumes a finite quantity which is made less valuable either because there is too much of it, or not enough. That is not a problem ever faced by that which is infinite.
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Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
Being spiritual does not come from an organized religion or a red string.
It comes from our heart. God gave us this beautiful planet to care for, as it cares for us. Yet we are destroying it. We are changing the climate. There are millions of people across the world that are dying of starvation or disease. Wars are being fought over land which God gave to everybody. Children are being killed, millions are being displaced from their homes. Old people can not afford there medications. The coral reefs in the oceans are being poisoned. We are wiping out species of life faster than we can record it in our records. Yet we argue about who gave us Kaballah and if wearing a red string will make us spiritual. Being spiritual is an act, What have you done today? Think about this for while.
As I read through the comments it's easy to see the difference between those who live by a set of do's and don'ts and those who live with a power (whatever you choose to call it)in there life that actually makes a difference in how they live. You will know a tree by the fruit that it bears. What kind of fruit does your faith produce in your life? I am not a religious person but I have a faith that has given me the ability to be more than I could of ever been by myself and of myself. If wearing a red string helps you to think of God before you act, then it's a good thing and there is value in that string for that paticular person. I don't know anything about kabbalah but I have read a bit about some of the jewish beliefs and I have no doubt that anyone who seeks God and honestly trys to apply those beliefs in their life will indeed change-it will work. I believe that God is more concerned with how I treat the other people rather than what I did or didn't have for lunch, or if I wear a skirt or pants. Bottom line is that God is real and if you honestly seek him He will reveal himself to you.
For 51 years, I listened to stories about ghosts and never seen one, "mystics" and met fakes, looked at "rituals" that were as hokey and bound in ignorance, that no one could take them seriously. Then there was always the "supernatural". All this stuff is what movies are made of and that people that ignorantly "practice" witchcraft and want to believe themselves to be "powerful". I watched the homosexuals invade christianity, trying to "write" themselves into the bible, which the Episcopaleans can't get them there. God has logical reasons for everything under the sun, and no amount of human fantasy or "mysticism" can ever change what will take place.
G-d is not our drive-thru. In this fast paced, give it to me now world mentality added to that the what about me factor, we forget G-d is G-d and we are NOT. He is there always, everywhere, and knows everything, we do NOT. Therefore, prayer is just that; a request or petition and an opportunity as well as a priviledge to come before the great creator G-d and be with HIM. We are to revolve around HIM not HIM around us. Much like a parent and child. The child should sit at the parent's lap speaking respectfully and listening twice as often.
When I first heard of Jesus, and what he sacrificed for us, it still has not totally made sense to me at 55 years of age. A human sacrifice so great as to permit countless of millions of souls the opportunity of everlasting joy. To this day it still amazes me why people need to conjure up reasons, ideas and rewards for themselves, moreover un believers take pride in demeaning our faith and sodomites run havoc with a double standard of threats, bigotry and made up words (homophobic). The leap of faith is difficult, to carry GOD with you is not an easy task given temptation and this self righteous entitlement of "riches, fulfillment and success". My friends life is difficult, everyone does not win, become famous, enjoy riches and not carry burdens daily. Thread, cross, star or crescent and vail outwardly are only symbols, faith has no sign,no recognition and no adoration or ownership. Works of faith, spreading the news, caring for the poor, the weak, the fragile. Giving to mankind and not wearing pins, or threads as chevrons as self or public adoration is the key...exercise your faith, with cause and works and the reward will be yours in heaven.
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