Rabbi Chaim Vital, a remarkable figure in Jewish history, was born around 1543 CE. His family's origins in Calabria, Italy, earned him the name Rabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese. He served as a rabbi in Tzfas and was the primary disciple of Rav Isaac Luria, renowned as the Ari Hakodaoh.
Notably, Rabbi Chaim Vital's father, Rabbi Yosef, was a celebrated expert scribe known for his sought-after tefillin. Crafted with holiness, purity, and special kabbalistic intentions, Rabbi Yosef's tefillin was highly regarded. Rabbi Yosef Caro expressed that Rabbi Yosef Vital's tefillin sustained half the world.
The honorable Rav Moshe Alshich played a crucial role in shaping Rav Chaim Vital's early education. Recognizing his early talents, Rav Yoseph Karo nominated the Alshich with his education in 1557, foreseeing his future as a Torah scholar succeeding his mentor.
After completing his studies, Eliyahu Hanavi appeared to him in a vision, assuring him of success in his efforts to write a commentary on the Zohar. It is widely accepted that Rav Chaim Vital quickly rose as the top student within a year. When the Arizal passed away in 1572 at 38, Rav Chaim Vital took his place. Since the Arizal had left little in writing, Chaim Vital started documenting all he had absorbed from his master.
Reb Chaim Vital recounts his introduction to Ari's fresh Kabbalistic approach: "When I first went to my esteemed teacher, the Ari, to learn this wisdom from him, he was heading to Tiberius and brought me along. During our boat journey across the Kinneret, near the arches of the Old Synagogue of Tiberius, my teacher drew water from the well of Miriam and had me drink from it. He explained that by drinking from this source, I was now ready to delve into the teachings of Kabbala. From that moment, I delved into the profound depths of this wisdom."
Rabbi Chaim remarked that the works of earlier kabbalists, from after the Ramban until the Ari, were built on mortal intellect. In contrast, the teachings of his master, the Ari, were revelations received by the Ari through Divine inspiration (Ruach HaKodesh).
Within a year of his initiation into the Ari's teachings, Rabbi Chaim became famous throughout Israel and the Diaspora as one of the great kabbalists. When the Ari passed on in 5332 (1572 CE), a mere two years after Rabbi Chaim Vital began studying with him, Rabbi Chaim was almost universally regarded as his successor.
Rabbi Chaim noted that earlier kabbalists' works, from the time after the Ramban until the Ari, were based on human intellect. In contrast, the teachings of his master, the Ari, were revelations obtained through Divine inspiration (Ruach HaKodesh). Within a year of learning from the Ari, Rabbi Chaim gained renown as a great kabbalist in Israel and the Diaspora. When Ari passed away in 5332 (1572 CE), just two years after Rabbi Chaim started studying under him, Rabbi Chaim was widely seen as his successor.
Ari was not inclined to write down his teachings, yet many disciples recorded his oral teachings despite his explicit prohibition. Only Rabbi Chaim had permission to document his teachings. After Ari's death, Rabbi Chaim collected and organized these manuscripts. He shared the kabbalistic wisdom he received from his master with his disciples, becoming a respected leader among kabbalists.
Rabbi Chaim, known for his miracles, healing skills, and proficiency in practical Kabbalah, could perceive people's souls' essence and past.
Some Sephardi Kabbalists use the first printed edition, the Shemonah She'arim in eight volumes. The more recognized version, Etz Hayyim ("Tree of Life"), organized topics systematically and separated the ritual parts (Peri Etz Hayyim) from the theological parts. The work honors Arizal and emphasizes the joy God finds in spreading Kabbalah teachings, which are crucial for the arrival of the Jewish Messiah.
On 20 Elul 1590, Vital received rabbinical ordination from Rav Moshe Alshich. In 1594, he settled in Damascus, lecturing nightly on Kabbalah. By 1604, Vital's eyesight weakened, and in 1620, while preparing to return to Safed, he passed away at the age of 77.
