Making reference to the book as well as to your internet research and the course content, how does The Kabbalah Centre differ from other historical and contemporary presentations and transmissions of Kabbalah? Are there similarities? From a scholarly perspective, what does this say about what a “tradition” is and to whom it belongs?

            The Kabbalah Centre is a non-profit organization that offers instruction in Kabbalist doctrine through online courses as well as at various locations worldwide. It was founded by Phillip Berg, a former orthodox Jewish Rabbi who had left that position and later decided to devote his life to the Centre. He died in 2013, and now his legacy is directed by his widow Karen and two sons Yehuda and Michael. The business headquarters are located in Los Angeles, CA. And there is our first hint that the Kabbalah Centre doesn't necessarily operate in alignment with traditional Judaism.

            The Way: Using the Wisdom of Kabbalah for Spiritual Transformation and Fulfillment is a book written by the aforementioned Michael Berg, and it has enjoyed sales sufficient enough to make it a “national bestseller”. It is classified by the publisher as “Spirituality/Self-Help”, and not “Judaica”. Thereby comes another clue: the brand of Kabbalah offered is not authentic enough to be considered among more established Jewish texts. This is presumably no real problem for the Kabbalah Centre from their perspective- although there is some respect for such core texts as the Zohar (which Berg has translated into English), these are really just the "tip of the Berg's” business model. (Sorry- had to use that somehow).

            Delving into the book itself, which in my opinion can be viewed as representative of the Centre, (since one of its directors is the author)- The Way... is a well-meaning work on the surface. It strives to communicate the idea that teachings embodied in Kabbalah can be used to improve many facets of our lives. Berg, in the introduction, states “We have been given the tools to fundamentally alter our destiny-the wisdom of the Kabbalah that you will find in this book” (6). In fairness, a number of the beliefs are explained in simple terms- such as how the Hebrew alphabet was revealed (by no less than the original Abraham) to have mystical powers, which he extolled in the first Kabbalist text Sefer Yetzirah. The “light and vessel”, “twelve spiritual laws”, and other concepts are addressed, and a number of parables are included to give examples and clarify meanings.

            Here is my personal problem with both the Kabbalah Centre and Michael Berg's book: all other sources I've been exposed to, either in instruction modules or online reference sites, have left me with the impression of a very old and arcane tradition. Sort of a “members only” club within the Jewish faith that was never intended to become widespread. I have honestly not been able to get a decent grasp of what the traditional Kabbalist beliefs are, and I have not found them even mildly intriguing enough to care about. This is the one textbook from the semester I will never look at again.

            For a bestselling book to emerge, endorsed by Madonna herself at the top of the front jacket, and for a “centre” (with the pretentious British spelling)... for both of these to tell me that Kabbalah is easy and immediately applicable to my life- this makes about as much sense as “Quantum Physics for Dummies”. There is no such thing. Physics is not for dummies. Kabbalah is not for Gentiles.

Works Cited

Berg, Michael. The Way: Using the Wisdom of Kabbalah for Spiritual Transformation and

            Fulfillment. New York: Wiley, 2001. Print.