Madonna's adopted son awaits Chalake
British website says singer, a devoted follower of Kabbalah, will wait until newest addition to family is three years old before cutting his hair
Londonnet.co.uk quotes the Daily Mail as saying that popular singer Madonna will not get her adopted Malawian son a haircut until he is three years old, as required by the Kabbalah faith.
Perhaps the most famous Kabbalah disciple in the world of popular culture, Madonna, has "made it clear" that 16-month old David Banda's hair is to be left alone, even if it grows into an Afro.
The ceremony, knows as Chalake in Hebrew and Upshirin in Yiddish, is a rite of passage observed by devout Jews and those who follow Kabbalah, a mystical derivative of Judaism.
In traditional Judaism the ritual is tied to the holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, commencing on the 33rd day of the counting of the 'Omer', between Passover and Shavuot. Observant men refrain from shaving, wearing new garments and festivities. On Lag Ba'Omer boys who have reached three years of age are given their first haircut in a large ceremony and only their side-locks (Payot) are left.
In Israel this ceremony is held on Mt. Meron near the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a prominent first century Judaic leader, as part of a larger scale festival held in his honor on Lag Ba'Omer.
According to Judaic teachings man is likened to a tree, which must be nurtured and cared for so it can grow into maturity and come to fruitarian. The Bible instructs farmers to leave newly planted trees untouched for the first three years, hence the practice of leaving children's hair uncut for the corresponding period of time.
It is customary among some circles to weigh the hair cut off and give the equivalent weight in money or goods to charity.
After the Chalake young boys will often start wearing yarmulkes and begin their education.
Kabbalah teachings also advocate this practice and indeed Maddona's biological son Rocco, from her marriage to British film director Guy Ritchie has also followed the custom.
The Daily Mail's source adds that "The two boys have formed a real bond and Rocco is always adjusting David's red Kabbalah wristband and telling him all about its rituals and beliefs."
