1. A form of Jewish Mysticism, dating back at least to the 12th Century or even earlier. Kabbalists themselves say it dates back to just after Adam was expelled from the garden of
Eden. From mediaeval times, the Kabbalah has been "borrowed" by Christian alchemists and ritual magicians.
Note that real magicians do not charge
money for spiritual enlightenment.
2. A cult invented in the 1960s by a fake Rabbi called
Michael Berg. He basically just read all the books on the subject and created a million-pound enterprise aimed at getting
money out of gullible celebrities like Madonna, etc.
1. Isaac Luria (famous mediaeval Kabbalist): The way to enlightenment is to meditate upon the secret teachings which the Lord has hidden within the scriptures.
2.
Michael Berg: The way to enlightenment is to pay me $200 for some
old tat that was already available
free or next to nothing anyway.