Jessica LiBrizziSamantha Meluso

Kabbalah

Main Beliefs and PracticesKabbalah follows the belief that decoding

ancient texts may reveal the secrets to lifeOriginally only exposed to the most devout

and scholarly Jewish menThe most important book is the Zohar, or

Book of SplendorMost difficult Jewish text to translateAuthor is unknownBy uncovering the Zohar, they will have a

revelation about God

Main Beliefs and PracticesThough they are

trying to reach God, Kabbalists believe that God is unknowable

Therefore, to understand Him, they use the ten SephirotTen ways in which

God reveled Himself through creation

Main Beliefs and PracticesRetraction belief

During creation, God retracted His light to create a void which he filled with His creations

Creation is seen as a step by step processSeen in the ten SephirotBegins will God’s will to create and

ends with the accomplishment of creation

Development and ChangeKabbalah emerged in the late medieval period in response to persecution

However, mysticism has been around since the ancient times

Important figures in KabbalahShimon bar Yochai

Isaac LuriaShabbetai ZviPhilip Berg

Rachel and KabbalahRachel was the mother of Joseph, and is

considered a matriarch of the Jewish faithAccording to tradition, visitors who visit

Rachel’s tomb wrap a red string around it seven times.

After the string is removed it is cut into seven pieces and worn as bracelets

The string is said to have picked up the strength, goodness, faithfulness and power of Rachel and has passed it on to the wearer.

The Kabbalah BraceletThe red string Kabbalah bracelet has

become the most recognizable symbol of Kabbalah and is the thing most associated with it.

The bracelet is traditionally worn on the left wrist and is believed to be a symbol of blood and life, and represents a bond between the wearer and the creator.

It is also believed to ward off any evil spirirts

Kabbalah TodayKabbalah Centre opened in the United States

in 1965Does not require a background in Judaism or

HebrewAuthenticity has been questioned due to several

celebrities participation

Kabbalah TodayKabbalah has become wildly popular with

celebrities such as Britney Spears, Madonna and Ashton Kutcher.

Places like the Kabbalah Centre welcome people from all walks of life, including those with no Jewish background

This angers some of the traditional members of the Kabbalah community, who insist that Kabbalah is only meant for the most experienced Jewish scholars.