Chaim Vital

Chaim Vital was born in 1543 in Safed, Ottoman Empire, and is a central figure in the development of Kabbalah. He is best known as the primary disciple of Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Arizal), who was a prominent Kabbalistic mystic. Vital's role was crucial in documenting and disseminating the teachings of his master, which form the basis of Lurianic Kabbalah.

After the death of Rabbi Isaac Luria in 1572, Chaim Vital claimed exclusive rights to the Lurianic teachings, based on his role as the scribe and principal student. He spent many years compiling his master's notes and his own insights into what would become the foundational texts of Lurianic Kabbalah, including the Etz Chaim and the aforementioned Sha'ar HaPesukim.

Chaim Vital's works have had a profound impact on Jewish mysticism and have been studied by scholars and Kabbalists for centuries. His approach to Kabbalah emphasizes the restoration of the soul and the esoteric interpretations of the Torah. Vital's contributions continue to be a cornerstone in the study of Jewish mysticism, influencing many subsequent generations of Kabbalists.

Books

Gate of Verses: Bereishis: An English Translation of the Arizal's Commentary on the Torah (Sha'ar Hapesukim - Gate of Verses)