Editing Philip Berg (section)

==The Research Centre of Kabbalah==
In July 1965, Berg was initially involved in the founding of a publishing house called "The National Institute for the Research in Kabbalah"<ref>The Kabbalah Centre and Contemporary Spirituality Jody Myers</ref> along with Ashlag's American student Levi Krakovsky, who died the following year. The institute was most likely a fundraising branch of Brandwein’s Yeshiva Kol Yehuda, as books published by the institute have Brandwein named as the senior figure, while Berg was listed as its president.<ref name=Meir2013>{{cite journal|last=Meir|first=Jonathan|date=January 2013|title=The Beginnings of Kabbalah in America|journal=Aries|doi=10.1163/15700593-13130204|volume=13|number=2}}</ref>

[[File:Yeshivat Kol Yehuda.jpg|thumb|Rabbi Brandwein's Yeshivat Kol Yehuda, Ha-Yehudim St. in the [[Old City (Jerusalem)|Old City of Jerusalem]]|240x240px]]
Krakovsky was an emissary of Ashlag’s yeshiva "Itur Rabbanim",<ref>Krakovsky, If eventually - why not now? Kabbalah Foundation (1936).</ref> and had translated some of Ashlag's writings into English to support the yeshiva. He also wrote his own English introductory books to Kabbalah, and in the 1930s established his own yeshiva in the United States for the purpose of teaching Kabbalah in English. Krakovsky’s writings were also published by the new Institute.<ref name=Meir2013/>

In 1970, Berg legally changed the name of the National Institute to "The Research Centre of Kabbalah", establishing it as an independent centre and publishing books of his own.{{sfn|Myers|2007|p=52}} His writings ranged from a basic introduction and explanation of [[Lurianic Kabbalah|Lurianic]] and Ashlagian Kabbalah to [[astrology]] and [[reincarnation]]. In 1971, Berg moved to Israel where he strengthened the centre, gave lectures and disseminated his books. In 1980, he established a yeshiva, "Or Hozer le’Limud ha-Nigleh ve ha-Nistar" (Returning Light for the Study of the Revealed and the Concealed) in [[Tel Aviv]], which circulated various kabbalistic works. On his return to the United States in 1984 with a number of Israeli students called the ''Hevre'' (friends), Berg expanded the centre to more locations.<ref name=Meir2013/>

The aim of the now independent research centre was to resolve a widespread spiritual crisis affecting Jews, where many found traditional Judaism dry and unfulfilling. Large numbers of young Jews were seeking [[Eastern religions|Eastern spiritual practices]], involving themselves in dangerous [[cult]]s or resorting to [[atheism]]. Berg, who believed Judaism was being taught dogmatically, was determined to show inquisitive soul-searching Jews that the answers could be found in Kabbalah.{{sfn|Myers|2007|p=51}}
 
=== Controversy ===
There is some disagreement over who succeeded Brandwein as dean of the 80-year-old Yeshiva Kol Yehuda in [[Jerusalem]]. Berg has claimed to have replaced Brandwein, his ex-uncle-in-law by his first wife, in that role; that claim was disputed by Brandwein's son [[Avraham Brandwein|Avraham]], who served as dean until his death in 2013.<ref name="Radar" /> The Los Angeles Task Force on Cults and Missionaries claimed Berg was not affiliated with the yeshiva,<ref>Ellin, Abby; Sacks, Adam J. "The Kabbalah Centre Wants your Heart - and your Money: The String that Binds" in ''[[The Village Voice]]'', August 11, 2004.</ref> although a letter sent to him by Brandwein in July 1968 indicated he was President of the yeshiva.{{sfn|Berg|2010|p=343}}

In 2010, the [[Internal Revenue Service]] launched an investigation, reportedly investigating whether funds were directed to the personal enrichment of the Berg family and subpoenaed financial records of the organization and two affiliated charities connected to [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]. The centre called the allegations "merit-less" and said it "intends to defend the case vigorously".<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10324260/Rabbi-Philip-Berg.html|title=Rabbi Philip Berg|work=[[Daily Telegraph]]|date=2013-09-20|accessdate=2013-09-21}}</ref>