Since writing my book on the Kabbalah, I have from time to time been asked how I feel about the two main English-speaking Kabbalah teaching organisations, Philip Berg’s Kabbalah Center and Michael Laitman’s Bnai Baruch. It is important for me to point out that I have never had any direct dealings with either the Kabbalah Centre or Bnai Baruch, so everything I know of them has come to me second hand.
Personally, I have concerns about both organisations. Both have a reputation for being undemocratic and controlling, for making financial demands, and for asserting unlikely claims. Bnai Baruch also has an unfortunate reputation for intolerance towards homosexuality.
If you want details, the best bet is to research what the media and interested commentators have to say about both organisations at the Rick A. Ross Institute, an Internet archive of information about controversial groups and movements.
They have a page dedicated to the Kabbalah Center:
http://www.rickross.com/groups/kabbalah.html
And several forum threads about Bnai Baruch:
http://forum.rickross.com/read.php?12,27491,page=1
http://forum.rickross.com/read.php?14,55046,73150
http://forum.rickross.com/read.php?12,34154,page=1
But in general, with any organisation, what is most important is your experience and how you feel. There are several points which I think are important for anyone getting involved with a spiritual organisation.
1. Are you getting a direct and immediate benefit from your membership of the group?
This is of course the most important question. All other considerations aside, if being part of an organisation is actually and genuinely making your life better right now, then that is a major positive point. No matter what the organisation teaches, there will be all sorts of other people with antagonistic belief systems — from fundamentalist religious zealots to hard-line mechanistic atheists — who claim that you are being taught a bunch of lies. Ignore them, and believe whatever makes most sense to you. Everyone claims to have proof that they’re the ones telling the truth, and everyone is wrong.
2. Are you being taught anything that most people would consider actively objectionable?
The first warning sign is being taught things that society would find offensive: that one group of people are worse, less human, weaker — or, conversely, superior — to others; that clearly criminal or malicious activities are OK; that you ought to do what you are told without asking questions; that you should do things which don’t feel right; that you’re condemned if you don’t follow this specific teacher; that bad things are the fault of the people to whom they happen; that you are weak, powerless, evil or otherwise guilty, particularly more so than other people; or that it is OK to hate certain types or groups of people. If you’re being taught toxic crap, run away immediately.
3. Are extraordinary claims backed up by extraordinary proof?
Any organisation which claims to be able to teach supernatural abilities, even if it takes a very long time, should be able to clearly demonstrate them in reasonably careful circumstances. If you are being offered a path to spiritual peace, lack of desire and freedom from money, are all the teachers calm, tranquil and living simply? If you are being taught to communicate with dead loved ones, is there a medium handy to give you a clear demonstration of it working? If an organisation does not offer good evidence right from the start, then whatever their reason for that lack, be wary of their claims. It often means that they are just lying.
You are a SPIRITUAL BEING by nicasaurusrex
4. Do they claim to have the one true path?
There are a huge range of spiritual paths and teachings, and all of them have things to offer. Almost all paths are taught by many different teachers. Any teacher who claims that they and they alone are the correct way — or who suggests that his followers are superior, chosen or special just because they follow him — should be treated with a lot of caution. It can be a sign that the group wants to control you.
5. How democratic and open is the group?
An open, democratic group has a democratically elected board who can discipline or even fire the leaders and teachers, and a constitution that makes members rights clearly visible. It also practises full financial transparency, with regular independently-assessed financial statements that clearly show how much money the organisation makes, and what it spends it on — including how much the leaders receive. If any of these aspects are missing, be careful, because it might indicate that the group is totalitarian, controlling or a flat-out scam.
6. Do they ask you to do anything which would be unreasonable if an acquaintance asked you to do it?
Imagine there is someone you know a little bit — just a friend of a friend, or a professional contact on the same sort of level as you are. What would you do for this person? Join them at a possibly interesting meeting? Go to the movies with them? Spend a week putting leaflets through a door to support their favourite politician? Give them 10% of your earnings? Stop talking to people you care about because they tell you to? Treat any spiritual organisation exactly as if it was just a friend of a friend. Be as friendly as you like with other members, but if the organisation asks you to do anything which you wouldn’t do for an office-mate, be very cautious. Particularly if you actually want to help the organisation by agreeing, because this might be evidence that you are becoming brain-washed. A true friend is your friend regardless of what you believe or what you do for the cause — if group members treat you differently because you dare to say no, then they’re not friends, they’re brainwashing you.
Never, under any circumstances, harm personal friendships or relationships because an organisation tells you that it would be better. Drop a friend because he is mean to you, or makes your life worse, or even because you have just moved on — but never, ever because someone else tells you to. This is the clearest sign available that the group wants to control your life.
Also look at what you are being asked for. Money is the most obvious unreasonable request, but it is not the only one. Other ways an unscrupulous organisation can exploit members include: using them as unpaid workers, using them to recruit other people, using them sexually, using their public prominence to give the group greater credibility, or controlling their lives to indulge the sick power fantasies of the leader/s. So even if you’re not being asked for money, keep a careful watch on what you’re being asked for. If it’s anything more than you might expect a chess club to require of you, then you might be being exploited.
Freedom
Note that all of this applies just as much to political parties or golf clubs or any other organisational structure. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the exploitation or control, and sometimes they do not. That is a decision you have to make — but you can only make it if you clearly know what both the benefits and costs are. Then you are truly free, to choose as you see fit.
If you liked this post, you should go and have a look at P. D. Jordan’s novel Ghost Patrol. It’s a story about brain-washing, deprogramming and what it means to be human. It’s a darn fine piece of sf, too. I think you’ll like it.
If you are being offered a path to spiritual peace, lack of desire and freedom from money, are all the teachers calm, tranquil and living simply?
Nah, more likely they are driving around in a Rolls Royce.
Would that my parents had had such fine advice back in ’74, let me tell you.
And it seems there was a board game called Ka-Bala back in the day as well.
This is a really well written piece with some really really good points. If more people thought about these things, looked at their teachers and teachings, there would be less people taken for a ride.
Well said Tim!
Hello,
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
Have a nice day
GlenStef
So here’s what I gather:
A. you wrote a book on Kabbalah
B. you are smearing two other Kabbalah organizations – claiming they are dangerous
C. you link to rickcross.com who basically blasts all spiritual paths that aren’t his. Basically if it’s not Christian, it’s a “cult” according to him. Considering you wrote a book on Kabbalah, you’d probably be on his “watch” list as well.
D. you admit you are basing your entire post on 2nd hand info.
So… here’s what I know. I’ve delt with the Kabbalah Center. Being suspicious at first, I talked with their instructors… told them of my problem with funds (as i’m facing money situations right now.) I’ve received a dozen free books and merchandise. They’ve offered to help me out with some student help programs… and they never once gave me a “hard sell” to buy into anything.
I’m a bit shocked that a “writer” would post something like you have, with only second hand info. Where’s the objectivity… unless of course, you are posting this to downplay your perceived competition to your own book…
Brian, I’m very glad you’re enjoying your membership of the Kabbalah Center. If you re-read my post, you’ll see I’m most definitely not suggesting any specific organisation is dangerous. I have concerns about Bnei Baruch and Kabbalah Center based on what I’ve heard from a range of sources; nothing more.
The vast majority of my article — as I clearly point out — is talking about exploitative organisations in general, and the danger signs that should be watched for. I’ve made no attempt whatsoever to link any of the points in it to Kabbalah Center. Any parallels you may see between the cult danger list and Kabbalah Center are entirely your perception. I haven’t attempted to do any research to discover if either organisation may fit any of the six points, nor, frankly, do I intend to. It’s none of my business.
The list of points is there as a checklist of danger signs that any potential member of _ANY_ organisation should keep in the back of their mind.
Bnei Baruch is a sect, no doubt …
As a follow up to my last post….
you mention a lot of off info. You suggest that they are requiring people to give up 10% of their income to their organization. The imply is there in your post “Give them 10% of your earnings…” They don’t request this. They DO request people give 10% of their income to God. meaning – the charities of your choice, the spiritual organizations of your choice. In fact they talk about it at great length in the classes. They do mention they have their own outreach programs, but do not request the 10% tithe to go to them. Just that it goes to a place of charity. So why 10%? It’s based on the Kabbalah… which you should know, as you have “written a book on the subject.” Everything is broken down to 10 sections (the 10 sepherot) – including income. By dedicating 10% – you’re dedicating the lowest aspect (Malkuth) to the higher cause. Again, they don’t ask you to give only to them – just to give to where you are lead as a God driven goal.
You also suggest they encourage people to, “Stop talking to people you care about because they tell you to?” Never heard this before. I mean obviously it comes up with students who publically have asked instructors at the Kabbalah Center what to do with people that mock and revile their beliefs. Their answers have always been common sense answers.
Again – most of what’s in your article is completly false and very destructive to a spiritual path that you claim to represent as a writer of Kabbalah wisdom.
Just to restate that as I say above, I am making none of the claims you list above with regards to Bnei Baruch. They are all general evaluation points for any organisation. You seem quite determined that I’m aiming them at BB. Why is that?
I have had direct experiences wih Bnei Baruch and here it is:
Whatever it is it is but It is NOT harmless. You are never enough aware of what will happen to you if you ever join with their lessons. Simply because they dont tell you that..ever…not in the start not later.. You will be feeling from paranoid to schizoid and you will even have suicidal attempts. You will want to hurt yourself and will never feel like yourself again. Your bodily and mental health will be at least temporarliy lost..if only you are lucky. they will always have front players and wont let the suffering and screaming heard. They have a very controlled sharing board, you will never have your voice heard to the new comers. You will totally isolated and pushed around.
What I will advise you is to go back to your houses and play with your own pets get along with you have, have a friend or family share with you and to converse..or they will play with your sanity or physical health.it is never about choice once you are in there.Stay away if you dont want to get hurt.
Yes, agree with Damla, all that true… We have tried for couple months, twice a week :((
What I know about Micheal Laitman is this..He knows some people in the group suffers greatly, he knows what will happen to them long before they walk in. Still there is no warning –even a general one- anywhere in their torture chambers… He even knows when one of them screams and begs to them to get off their back and they still persist and disturb the sanity of the person..and they still reach to people shamelessly.. I would give my whole life to get back to my days prior to knowing this cult. They put you in hell and want you to love it. if there is free choice now once again I am saying “No”. Whatever is going to love this, it is not me and where there is no me there was never love.
Exactly, what we feel about our young friend, who has got into this trap three years ago. It’s a great pain to watch him suffering, getting insane. Somebody, please, tell how we can help toour friend to get out?
I just published an account by a former member of Bnei Baruch: http://www.amotherinisrael.com/bnei-baruch-kabbalah-cult-victim/
Bnei Baruch is a dangerous Cult! THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE!! PRETEND THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS. WHEN ALL THEY DO IS TO WORK FOR DISSEMINATION; WHICH MEANS WORK FULL TIME FOR THEM; FOR FREE!!
THEY ALL THINK THEY ARE STUDYING KABBALAH FROM BALL HASULAM; BUT IN FACT MR: LAITMAN CHANGED EVERYTHING FROM BAAL HASULAM TEACHINGS AND PRETEND THEY ARE STUDYING KABBALAH. BE CAREFUL; THEY WILL BLAME EVERYTHING IS YOUR EGOISM WHILE LAITMAN FAMILY IS GETTING RICHER AND RICHER…
Spilling The Beans – the REAL truth about what goes on in Kabbalah behind closed doors. This will make your hair stand on end!!!
http://kabbalahstudentsspeak.com/2011/04/18/an-essay-on-the-underlying-root-of-it-all/
excuse me, this link is an overly enthusiastic “mash note” to Michael Berg and the Kabbalah Research Center, including the claim that critics of KRC were struck down providentially by accident and illness.
Bnei Baruch has never asked me for a thing, not even a penny. They do not demand that I “conform” to anything at all either. Indeed, their “free” classes are voluntary, and I’m not “forced” into taking their classes or joining their “cult” as you call it. Thus, I’m quite astonished by your claims, and wonder what your agenda is. I have found nothing but inspiration through their courses because they do not ask for money and or tithes as does organized religion.
Thank you for your comment, Melony.
If you read my article more carefully, you’ll see that the entirety of what I say about Bnei Baruch is:
I make no claims about BB being a cult, requiring you conform, being forced to attend anything, &c &c. Why is it that you’ve decided my guidelines on the objective assessment of an organisation apply to your group?
It’s lies… They do ask to pay, first “the rent fee”, then later, the “masser”. dear melony, please, be honest…
I am being honest, Duo. B’Nei Baruch has never asked me for any monetary compensation for their classes in the two years I’ve been studying, off and on. Moreover, they offer their textbooks for free, and that’s unheard of. My experience with B’Nei Baruch has been transformational, and in a good way. Thus, I remain rather astonished by your allegations against them. It sounds political or you’re disgruntled at another level.