Rabbi Chaim Vital becomes a student of the Ari
Rabbi Chaim Vital studied under the grand masters of Kaballah in Tsfat, including Rabbi Yosef Karo and the Ramak. He met Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the Ari, in 1570 and became his foremost student. Most of the Ari's teachings were transmitted through Rabbi Chaim Vital.
The most studied of these works are Etz Chaim, which became the foundational text of Lurianic Kabbalah, and Sha'ar HaGilgulim, “the Gates of Reincarnation”, which deals with reincarnation and the journey of souls.
Rabbi Vital also authored many of his own works on Kabbalah, such as Shaarei Kedusah (Gates of Holiness) and Sefer HaChezyonot (Book of Visions).
Rabbi Chaim Vital's name can be seen in the top two rows of the letter. Circa 17th century. Notes in the manuscript: "Sefer Shivhey ha-Rav Hayim Vital, copied from his grandson's manuscript. At its head is an introduction by Mosheh Vital "I am happy to copy a notebook which was written by my grandfather".
Overview
Rabbi Chaim Vital, born in Tsfat, studied under the grand masters of Kabbalah. He met Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the Ari, in 1570 and became his foremost student. He transmitted most of the Ari’s teachings including Etz Chaim, which became the foundational text of Lurianic Kabbalah, and Sha'ar HaGilgulim, “the Gates of Reincarnation”, which deals with reincarnation and the journey of souls.
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