Rav Berg – Kabbalah World Founder

Published in 2002 by Random House, Inc., The Essential Zohar, written by Rav Philip Berg, brings the ancient wisdom of the Zohar to bear on contemporary issues and dilemmas.

The Zohar is the central text of the Kabbalah whose message has been transported through the ages in an unbroken chain from teacher to student has traditionally been accessible to only the chose few whose great wisdom and personality characteristics deemed then suitable for receiving such deep knowledge.

In modern times, however, Rav Berg has taken this great knowledge and brought it to a mass audience, regardless of their religious affiliation, background or training, so that the world can benefit from the great message which lies within the Kabbalah.

This new book is one more step in bringing the Kabbalah through an understanding of the Zohar, to the people who wish to benefit from its wisdom. The goal is self-transformation and tikkun olam, mending what is broken in the modern world.

Rav Yehuda Ashlag, the author of the prime commentary, HaSulam (“The Ladder”), on the Zohar, which is the central text of the Kabbalah, taught the Kabbalah in Israel at the opening of the 20th century. Rav Ashlag’s prime student, Rav Yehuda Tzvi Brandwein took over leadership of the center where Ashlag taught after Ashlag passed away.

Rav Berg, founder of the Kabbalah Center, studied Kabbalah in Israel, and he was one of the students who would attend the classes of Rav Brandwein. Indeed, Rav Berg felt that he was given the mandate by Brandwein to take over the position of teacher of the Kabbalah, and to open the secrets of the Kabbalah to the world. Founding the Kabbalah Center has made Rav Berg a leading figure at the forefront of adult spiritual education.

The Kabbalah Center has flourished under the leadership of Rav Berg, his wife, Karen, and his sons, Yehuda and Michael Berg.