Chief Illiniwek and Madonna

The Chief Illinwek controversy has surfaced again.

Let me tell you what I see when i see the Chief do his dance. I see a majestic warrior perparing for battle. It's a very stirring sight. However, it's not my heritage he's making a mockery of.

As someone whose family came to these shores in the 20th century, can I possibly know what it feels like to see thousands of people making light of beliefs I hold dear?

The answer is a resounding "Yes."

Madonna, having gained some expertise in Kabbalah, now wants to be called by her "Hebrew name" Esther. I have the same amount (or more) expertise in Kabbalah as Madonna. The difference is, I am aware that I know absolutely zilch about it.

Imagine trying to teach advanced calculus to a first-grader. Maybe he will pick up something here and there, but he won't understand calculus. First he needs to understand 2 + 2. Then he can move on to subtraction, then multiplication and division, then fractions and decimals. Eventually he can learn algebra, geometry, trigonometry and college algebra. Finally, he can BEGIN to learn calculus.

Actually, that is how we teach calculus to a first-grader. The only thing is, by the time he masters calculus, he is in college. Calculus takes years of preparation before you begin to tackle it, and more time to master it. Kabbalah is no different.

First one needs to learn Hebrew. Then one can move on to learning about the Torah and the other writings in the Bible. Of course, these studies include thoroughly mastering the Mishna and Gemorah, an encyclopedic work. Only then can one BEGIN to learn Kabbalah. This point typically comes after one turns 40, assuming he has been learning since he was a small child. (Other people say it's after 40 years of learning that one can begin to study Kabbalah.)

In any case, what Madonna is practicing is not Kabbalah. It isn't even Judaism. You see, Judaism requires certain things of it's practitioners.

The first requirement is that one be Jewish. Madonna isn't. She could be, if she wanted to. One can become Jewish, but then one has to agree to abide by the laws of Judaism. I don't believe Madonna is ready to do that.

For starters, one has to keep the Sabbath. A quick look at her concert schedule (posted on her website) shows she doesn't do that.

For another, one has to follow the laws of modesty. I don't believe the words "modesty" and "Madonna" were ever used in the same sentence before. Another quick glance at her website shows she doesn't do that either.

Modesty is based on privacy. One's body is private. It isn't something to put on display for the entire world. It certainly isn't something one shares (in public, no less) with a man she isn't married to.

Yes, I understand how it feels when a native American sees Chief Illinwek, because I can see Madonna.

I have a heritage that for 3300 years my ancestors were willing to die for. Many of my relatives gave their lives because they commited the unforgivable "crime" of being Jewish.

When Madonna is willing to give her life to be Jewish, and when Chief Illiniwek is willing to give his life as so many did in the early days of our nation, then they will have earned the right to make fun. By then, they will no longer want to.

P.S. "In Whose Honor" is a great documentary on the Chief Illinwek issue. I highly recommend it.