Kabbalah mediainfo series#

Astrology was studied by Jewish scholars throughout the Middle Ages, though it was opposed by more philosophically inclined thinkers such as Maimonides. The Kabbalah Centre has a strong belief in astrology and asserts that astrology has always been part of Judaism. Zodiac in a 6th-century synagogue at Beit Alpha, Israel It is through study and practice of Kabbalah teachings and Jewish law (which the Kabbalah Centre says is early rabbinistic construction to aid in practicing Kabbalah without revealing its secrets) that one removes Klippot, and it is by violence and negative behavior that one adds Klippot. The idea is that everyone has a direct and clear connection to the upper metaphysical-spiritual world of the Light ( Ein Sof, unbounded God), but that this channel is blocked by Klippot, restricting the spiritual energy from entering the physical body. Kabbalah Centre teaches the Kabbalistic concept of Klippot. The five senses supposedly provide access to a mere 1% of reality, which is the byproduct of a 99% reality that cannot be accessed by the senses. The essence of God is referred to in its teachings as Light. One should primarily be concerned with their relationship with the essence of God, rather than God itself, as it is beyond comprehension.

Kabbalah mediainfo series#

According to Berg 'The Zohar reveals the dynamic interplay and interconnectedness of our universe and man's relationship to it.' The Kabbalah Centre has produced a series of the Books of the Bible with Kabbalistic commentaries to each of the Weekly portion of the Torah. Some biblical passages, such as the Passage of the Red Sea, are understood to be codes to life and unseen universal laws which the Zohar and writings of the Kabbalists throughout history unravel. In accordance with this belief, the Kabbalah Centre does not present itself as an alternative to any religion in particular, but rather, as a supplement to it. The effect of this is a resemblance of religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism, as well as new-age teachings, to Kabbalah. Relation to religion Īccording to its views, all widely held spiritual or religious belief systems are merely specific branches of universal wisdom. The Kabbalah Centre's approach to teaching is to start students with teachings of Kabbalah that do not require knowledge of Hebrew and Jewish texts. 'Kol Yehuda' Yeshiva of Rabbi Yehuda Tvi Brandwein in the Old City (Jerusalem) Teachings Approach The organization is a registered non-profit with over fifty branches worldwide, including major ones in Los Angeles, New York City, London and Toronto. They, like Philip Berg, have been excommunicated for heresy. After the death of Berg, Karen and Michael Berg acted as directors and spiritual teachers of the organization. The Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles was opened in 1984. Kol Yehudah was the first Yeshivah established after the Old City of Jerusalem was gained by Israel in the 1967 war. Yeshivah Kol Yehuda is located in Old City (Jerusalem) in the Jewish Quarter next to the Hurva synagogue. This move happened due to the excommunication of Philip Berg by the entirety of the Ashlag Hassidic movement who deemed his teachings to be heretical. After Brandwein's death, and after several years in Israel, Philip Berg and his wife Karen Berg, re-established the independent U.S. The students would receive a salary to cover their living expenses so they can devote themselves to full-time learning, however Brandwein faced difficulty in finding funds for the yeshiva and publishing. The uniqueness of Kol Yehuda is that students focus on kabbalistic study. Kol Yehuda was founded in 1922 and continues to this day.

Brandwein was the dean of Yeshivah Kol Yehuda, his son Rabbi Abraham Bradwein succeeded him as the head of the Yeshivah. It is likely that Berg was encouraged by his Rebbe and former wife's uncle Yehuda Tzvi Brandwein to establish the publishing house to aid the funding of Brandwein's Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

The Kabbalah Centre was founded in the United States in July 1965 initially as a publishing house called 'The National Institute for the Research in Kabbalah' by Philip Berg (born Feivel Gruberger) and Rabbi Levi Isaac Krakovsky.