As published on Blog do Amaury Jr./Splash UOL

Madonna has once again surprised fans and critics. Just days after giving her first in-depth interview about spirituality, on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, the singer officially announced a new project: a Masterclass on the Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah.

In the interview, Madonna claimed she wasn’t promoting “anything” — but behind the scenes, she was already preparing a more than hour-long production, filmed inside her own home and directed by longtime collaborator Steven Klein. In the end, does the contradiction really matter? For fans and followers of Kabbalistic studies, what counts is that she is finally sharing her knowledge.

Speaking with Shetty, Madonna acknowledged: “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have a spiritual life.” She recalled the trauma of losing her mother at a young age — “I always associated motherhood with death. I was afraid of losing my career, my identity, but spirituality gave me direction” — and spoke about how her image of strength often hid her vulnerabilities: “I didn’t want to cling to anything that could hurt me. I was like a surviving warrior. But I had to learn to love, to forgive, to surrender.”

These reflections resonate directly with the themes of the course. In one lesson, for example, she explores forgiveness as an essential practice and talks about discovering the power of unconditional love. In the same interview, Madonna also mentioned painful episodes: her years-long rift with her brother Christopher, who “betrayed” her by publishing an unauthorized biography; the suicidal thoughts she had while fighting for custody of her son Rocco; and how her faith became a shield against criticism of her appearance and personality.

The Zohar Masterclass

The course, titled The Mystical Studies of the Zohar, is part of the Kabbalah Master Classes platform, created by the Kabbalah Centre. Its aim is to make the spiritual teachings of the Zohar accessible through short, modular lessons that can be watched on demand.

Madonna appears not just as a student but as the central figure: she shares intimate reflections, personal stories, and life lessons alongside her partner Akeem and teacher Eitan Yardeni, with whom she has studied for nearly three decades. Yardeni, a rabbi and internationally recognized master, is known for translating Kabbalah into practical tools for everyday life, regardless of one’s faith or cultural background.

According to the official release, the goal is to “illuminate the soul’s unique journey, decode hidden lessons, and reveal the impact each person is meant to have in the world.”

Structure and lesson topics

The Masterclass is organized into eight main lessons, each dedicated to a key aspect of the spiritual journey through the Zohar:

1. Reincarnation – Introduction to the idea of reincarnation and how it shapes the soul’s mission
2. Freedom – The balance between effort and surrender, and how to achieve true freedom
3. Desire – The nature of human desire and how to transform it into a tool for growth
4. The Art of Manifestation – How to manifest dreams and intentions with patience and spiritual alignment
5. Chasing After What Doesn’t Belong to You – The danger of chasing illusions and the importance of recognizing limits
6. False Gods – Attachments and false idols that distract from true purpose
7. Forgiveness – The power of forgiveness as a practice of healing and transformation
8. Love – The central lesson of unconditional love is the foundation of all spiritual evolution

Beyond the lessons, Madonna shares her own emotional realizations, including how she learned to cope with grief, loss, and challenges, transforming pain into pathways for growth.

The course goes beyond lectures. It includes Zohar-based spiritual practices, meditations, and Madonna’s personal stories, which illustrate how spirituality has been the key to her survival, her career, and her family life.

Access and enrollment

A distinctive feature is the enrollment model: the course is offered on a “pay what you can” basis. It can start at US$9 (about R$48 today) or any chosen amount. This means each person contributes what they can, ensuring access not only to Madonna’s lessons but to the entire Kabbalah Master Classes library.

The suggested contribution is US$29.99 per month (about R$160), but it is not mandatory. The goal, according to the Kabbalah Centre, is to make the content accessible to everyone.

The symbolism for Madonna

Madonna has studied Kabbalah for 29 years, under the guidance of Yardeni and Rav Berg. The launch of the Masterclass is presented as a natural step in her journey — and also as a public act of openness, since until now her spiritual practice was known but rarely explored in her own voice.

In her conversation with Shetty, she had already said that without her spiritual life, “I wouldn’t be here.” The course, therefore, functions as an extension of that vulnerable revelation: spirituality is not a hobby but an essential pillar of her existence.

Artistic direction

It is no coincidence that the Masterclass also carries the visual signature of Steven Klein, the photographer and director who has collaborated with Madonna on music videos, tours, and memorable photo shoots. His direction gives the course a sophisticated, cinematic, and intimate atmosphere — reinforcing the idea of an experience rather than a simple lesson.

Madonna as student and teacher

The official release emphasizes that Madonna takes on the role of both student and guide. She shares lessons learned over nearly three decades of study but does not present herself as a master — rather, as someone still in the process of learning. This reinforces the idea of accessibility: if even Madonna calls herself a student, then anyone can begin their own journey.

Beyond music

Throughout her career, Madonna has always sought to provoke and innovate. Now she steps forward as a facilitator of spiritual transformation. Offstage but still under the spotlight, the artist turns her private life into public inspiration — a move that reaffirms her endless capacity for reinvention.

For the star, this Masterclass is not just another cultural product but the continuation of a personal quest that now becomes collective.