Madonna's Kabbalah Splash

New York Post/March 6, 2005

Insiders at Kabbalah Centre, the Jewish mystical organization that sells high-priced "Kabbalah Water" to devotees, say Madonna was showered with special treatment when she visited the Midtown facility last weekend.

"She arrived late for Friday night Shabbat services," tattles our man with a red string bracelet. "But not to worry, a section of the front row had reserved signs on it, and Her Madgesty sat in between Monica Berg, wife of Kabbalah Centre founder Rabbi Michael Berg, and popular teacher Ruthie Rosenberg."

Although seating was separate for men and women (Madonna's husband, Guy Ritchie, was in the men's section), the rabbi later came over to greet Madonna with a kiss on the cheek.

During dinner afterward, Madonna, Ritchie and her well-behaved children, Lola and Rocco, sat at Berg's table. The star wore little, if any, makeup, a black-lace skirt and v-neck top and black high-heeled boots.

Arriving late again for Saturday afternoon services, Madonna was the only person who got to participate in the ceremony of "Mayim Achronim" ("Last Water") - "washing one's fingertips with water from a cup after eating, bread in this case.

Not everyone got the bread, either."