Rav Michael Laitman is a PhD in philosophy and Kabbalah, and an MSC in Medical Cybernetics. He has been researching and teaching Kabbalah since 1976. Between 1979-1991, he was personal assistant and prime student of Kabbalist Rabbi Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag, the firstborn son and successor of Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag, known as Baal HaSulam for his authoritative Sulam (Ladder) commentary on The Book of Zohar. Rav Laitman has published more than 30 books in 10 languages and is a world-renowned expert in the wisdom of Kabbalah. He is also a member of the World Wisdom Council, a global think tank headed by Prof. Ervin Laszlo, including prominent scientists, thinkers, and spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Elie Wiesel, and Bianca Jagger. He resides in Bnei Brack, Israel.