February 17, 2006--Fanaticisms XXII--Waiting for the Mashiach

When I read that almost a quarter of a million mourners from Israel and around the world gathered in Jerusalem for the funeral of the Cabbalist rabbi Yitzah Kaduri, who died at 106, I was impressed (see NY Times article below). About both numbers—the 106 and the quarter million, considering that the Jewish population of Israel is just 5.0 million. Who was this man; what was this all about?

All the Times said about him was that his disciples believed that he had spiritual powers, notably as a healer, that he lived an austere life as a bookbinder, and the only luxury he allowed himself was smoking foreign cigarettes.

Since ads for cigarettes are not allowed in newspapers, the Times did not mention the brand. But out of perverted curiosity I wanted to find out which it was. Further research revealed they were Marlboros. So the good rabbi was a Marlboro Man. But that research also revealed a little more about him.

In addition to healing he was a seer who each year would prognosticate what would be coming. He appeared to do this by interpreting the meanings hidden in the number signifying the Jewish year. For example, in 5766, last year, he foresaw that it would be a year of “secret and revelation” in the world. There would be great tragedies unless Jews “work and strive that the Mashiach [Messiah] be revealed.”

In fact he said that that time is near. In the political arena he revealed that the Sharon government would be “the last prime minister in Israel,” that thereafter there would be leadership “of the Messianic era.”

Now I’m beginning to get it. I suspect that even Madonna the Cabbalist went right from the Grammies to the funeral.