LeBron James Met with Rabbi for Business Advice

Reports are coming in that LeBron James recently met with a well-connected rabbi for business advice. The rabbi in question is 37-year-old Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, a well known spiritual leader who has no formal business training. While he does not speak English, Rabbi Pinto boasts a list of followers that includes some very prominent Israeli and Jewish-American businessmen. Private sessions with the rabbi cost a pretty penny, as is evidenced by James paying a six-figure sum to meet with the rabbi on a yacht. Still it's strange that LeBron, being quite the savvy businessman himself and not being Jewish, would want to consult with the rabbi regarding business matters.

TMZ describes Yishayahu Yosef Pinto as a "Rabbi to the Business Stars." Web site Vosizneias.com states about the guru:

He's a rabbi to the stars in real estate. Israeli wheelers and dealers in New York City real estate consult Rabbi Yishayahu Yosef Pinto when it comes to business and personal matters.

Rabbi Pinto, who has no formal business education, only speaks Hebrew and won't meet with women, is considered by Israeli real estate professionals as well as people in other professions and of different faiths to be a holy man. His supporters credit him with helping hundreds of thousands of people.

Some line up for hours to meet with the rabbi, who makes himself available to the public outside of synagogue services and the classes he runs, one day a week. He sees 5,000 people a day in Israel and 200 or 300 in New York, giving most people a quick blessing and others more time, claimed Ofer Biton, one of the rabbi's two New York assistants and translators.

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I think LeBron was curious about a man who is highly respected by individuals who aren't even religious and who could possibly shed some light on various business decisions that James is preparing to make. Right now, people are throwing money at LeBron, whether it is for endorsements or other partnerships. It is possible that he just needed to vent or gain spiritual centering; however, six figures is quite an amount to pay for advice that won't continue on a regular basis. Going to a Catholic confessional may have been easier and cheaper, but the media circus surrounding James could even make his Holiness the Pope tell all.

Sometimes even stars need an ear that won't judge you or try to influence you, and many times they have to pay for it. Who knows -- a step outside the box in terms of business advice can yield a more lucrative perspective. Whether it was to satisfy his curiosity or simply to bend another's ear who is outside his typical social group, I certainly hope LeBron walked away enlightened or at least entertained.