I was re watching the US nationals long programs and it appears that Sasha is wearing the red string bracelet that followers of Kabbalah wear. She is jewish so it wouldnt be that far a stretch, and it does seem to be trendy these days. Has anyone noticed her string or read anything about this?
I noticed it,but i hadn't heard anything.
Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek and Sasha Cohen all have worn the red strings on their wrists at one time or another. Johnny, who is Catholic, says he follows kabbalah, but to what extent, I don't know.
She posted a new journal entry tonight... though there is no mention to a new found spirituality.
This year's Nationals is the first time I've heard of Sasha working with a sports psychologist. Perhaps the string has something to do with that? Kabbalah seems very logical too.Originally Posted by Longhornliz
Well Sasha is Jewish and trendy, so I'm not surprised that she hopped on the Kabbalah bandwagon.
Few things annoy me as much about popular culture as the "popularity" of Kabbalah. Kabbalah is based on very deep knowledge; traditionally, people wouldn't even approach studying it until they'd know Torah by heart. It was not a requirement per se, but it's simply much easier to study it if you know all the words of the Torah. I understand that Kabbalah may seem a very "New Age" concept due to its mystical nature, but I really wish the pop culture would leave it alone.
Before Kabbalah was popluarised in the media by various celebrities there were many people wearing string round their wrists.
At least one other spiritual reasoning is linked to buddhism and receiving an empowerment.
Ant
I saw the red string and was wondering the same thing. I'm glad you posted the question. I didn't know Johnny Weir was Catholic.
Most of the traditional students and practitioners of Kabbalah believe that the currently "popular" version is not the real Kabbalah at all -- any more than an actor playing a baseball player becomes a real baseball player. I would like to think that Sasha has more respect for her roots than to "buy in" to the new version.
Johnny was raised Catholic. He discussed his religious beliefs on his site (I think it was q&a with fans). I am pretty sure he is not a practicing one. I don't think you could be Catholic and follow Kabballah's teachings.
I am surprised about Evan. At the Nationals I noticed that he is wearing an Orthodox cross. He must be of either Greek or Slavic heritage. I guess his last name could be Slavic, and he is from Chicago - home to a large Slavic community.
Kabbalah is an area of mystical studies in the Jewish religion that is intended for only the only the most learned scholars. Therefore, the Kabbalah movement is seen as sacrilegious and is condemned by the orthodox Jewish community. Following Kabbalah became trendy when Madonna (who was also raised Catholic) took it up.
I recall an interview where Evan talked about how important it was for him to spend I believe Easter in Russia and attent Orthodox services.
Lysacek I believe is a Czech last name, and Czech republic is of course predominantly Catholic. I wonder if religion might come from his mother's side; with a first name Tanya she could be from the Orthodox parts of Europe.
If she is into Kabbalah, she can only be in the poppular version, since it is physically impossible for her to have the knowledge necessary for the real deal.Most of the traditional students and practitioners of Kabbalah believe that the currently "popular" version is not the real Kabbalah at all -- any more than an actor playing a baseball player becomes a real baseball player. I would like to think that Sasha has more respect for her roots than to "buy in" to the new version.
I can also say (from personal experience as well as friends' experiences) that Kabbalah is an incredible fascinating endeavor (I sometimes hear lectures on it on a local Habbad house). It is like a vortex that really tends to such people in when they come close.
Last edited by Ptichka; 01-26-2006 at 12:22 PM.
[QUOTE=Ptichka]Few things annoy me as much about popular culture as the "popularity" of Kabbalah. Kabbalah is based on very deep knowledge; traditionally, people wouldn't even approach studying it until they'd know Torah by heart. It was not a requirement per se, but it's simply much easier to study it if you know all the words of the Torah. I understand that Kabbalah may seem a very "New Age" concept due to its mystical nature, but I really wish the pop culture would leave it alone.[/QUOTE
ITA. I find it personally a bit insulting that people who wouldn't know the Torah from the Ark claim to know Kabbalah. Traditionally, its study was restricted to men, over 40, who were very learned in the Torah. This pop version of Kabbalah is some New Age version of the original mysticism (JMHO)
Mysticism doesn't belong anywhere near the Torah. The Torah, condemns all forms of it.
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