Marla Maples, former wife of US President Donald Trump, says the president carries a copy of the Zohar with him, keeping it close to his heart for “protection and healing."
In an interview with Channel 12 News, Maples offered a rare glimpse into what she described as Trump's spiritual side, while discussing her own longstanding connection to Kabbalah, Judaism and Israel.
Maples said Trump carries the Book of Pinchas, the Zohar, in Aramaic and keeps it over his heart, inside his clothing, for protection and healing.
She added that he has a very big heart. He would not be in his position if it weren’t for his desire to help others.
Maples was married to Trump at a time when the idea of him running for president was beginning to take shape. She said that over the years, she developed a deep spiritual connection to Kabbalah, which led her to visit Israel numerous times.
As a Christian, she said she wanted to understand Israel and was blessed to experience everything - from visiting the graves of righteous people and spending extended periods in Safed, to water skiing on the Sea of Galilee.
Maples also said she has maintained a kosher lifestyle for more than 20 years, as a student of an ancient mystic at the Kabbalah Centre for many years.
She added that Shabbat observance has also become part of her life and has been keeping Shabbat for many years, and Ivanka converted to Judaism, so Donald has been exposed to it extensively.
Maples also recounted a harrowing incident from approximately 20 years ago, when she said she was traveling in Nigeria and was confronted by armed men, when she was kidnapped at gunpoint and three men with guns stopped us and forced all of us to lie on the ground.
In the midst of the ordeal, Maples said, she began reciting the Shema. She realized she had to let go and surrender as she was lying there and thought about the Shema, believing that everything is in God's hands. After she prayed, they simply left.
She added that it is a very powerful prayer that she recites every morning.
Maples also spoke out against the rise of antisemitism in the US and expressed solidarity with Israel following the October 7 massacre, saying the antisemitism in the US is heartbreaking. There is no logic to it and she prays and sends light.