The body of mystical beliefs known as the "Kabbalah", whilst derived in part from a longer standing tradition, date primarily to a series of writings from the early Middle Ages. Foremost amongst these is the Sefer ha-Zohar.

This knowledge was for many centuries restricted to all but the most learned of Rabbinic scholars - its teachings being considered far too subtle and esoteric to be understood without a lifetime of religious study. However in recent years several commercial organisations have begun to mass market the teachings of the Zohar. Such groups generate large sums of money through donations and through the sale of branded products with amuletic properties - such as the famous red string.

Such organisations have been roundly condemned by the majority of orthodox, conservative and liberal Jewish groups - both for their dissemination of the Kabbalah to a wide audience and for their often exploitative commercial practices.

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