Rav michael laitman biography

1. Biography of Michael Laitman
2. Early Life and Education
3. Journey into Kabbalah
4. Establishment of Bnei Baruch
5. Contributions to Kabbalah Education
6. Academic Achievements
7. Personal Life

Biography of Michael Laitman

Michael Laitman is the founder and leader of the International Kabbalah Academy and the Ashlag Research Institute (ARI). He is also a member of the World Wisdom Council. Laitman was born on August 31, 1946, in Vitebsk, Belarus.

Early Life and Education

In 1971, Laitman graduated from the Northwest Correspondence Polytechnic Institute, where he studied biological and medical cybernetics. During his studies, he conducted research at the Blood Research Institute and specialized in electromagnetic regulation of heart and brain blood supply. After completing his degree, he worked at the Kronstadt Laboratory of the Military Medical Academy and later at a dolphinaria in Sevastopol, under the guidance of Professor Akhutin, focusing on "Space Medicine".

Journey into Kabbalah

In 1975, Laitman had a spiritual awakening and began seeking answers to the source of life beyond the limitations of science. He started visiting rabbis and Kabbalists in search of these answers. In 1978, Laitman became a student of Kabbalist Baruch Ashlag and remained his student for 12 years until Ashlag's passing.

Establishment of Bnei Baruch

After Ashlag's death in 1991, Laitman and a group of former students continued their study and practice of Kabbalah independently. In 1994, Laitman founded the group Bnei Baruch.

Contributions to Kabbalah Education

In 1996, Laitman created the website www.kabbalah.info, which became one of the largest internet resources for Kabbalah education and information, as recognized by the Encyclopedia Britannica in 2000. In 2001, Laitman established the International Kabbalah Academy, offering both in-person and remote learning programs to anyone interested in studying Kabbalah. The Academy has branches in over 25 countries worldwide and operates based on 10% student tithes and voluntary donations. All educational materials, including lectures, books, and films, are freely available online. The Academy also offers free online courses.

Academic Achievements

In 2004, Laitman was awarded a candidate of philosophical sciences degree by the Dissertation Council of the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In September 2004, he received a professorship certificate from the highly controversial non-governmental organization, the Highest Interacademy Certification Commission of the "International Interacademic Union". In an interview with the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Laitman stated that the professorship title was conditional and required him to work at an "academy in Russia," which did not happen. Nevertheless, he continues to claim on his website that he holds a "doctorate in philosophy and Kabbalah" from the "Moscow Institute of Philosophy" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and he adds "Rav" and "PhD" to his name. In 2005, Laitman became a member of the World Wisdom Council.

Personal Life

For the past 30 years, Laitman has devoted himself to the study of Kabbalah and the popularization of his approach to it. He currently resides in Israel, is married, and has three children.