The Kabbalah Centre in midtown Manhattan is under attack - not for its religious practices but for its parking privileges. The centre, spiritual home of Madonna and other celebrities, has been issued 10 permits by the city authorities, which allows it to ignore restrictions outside its East 48th Street building.

Transportation Alternatives, a parking lobby group, has protested that the centre doesn't warrant special treatment, and most religious groups are usually allowed only one or two permits. But so far it has survived New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's crackdown.

Maybe there is something to the Kabbalah after all.