The Gaon of Vilna • Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman • The Gaon • HaGra
The Gra (The Vilna Gaon)
Era of the AcharonimThe Gra — the Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman (1720–1797) — was one of the greatest geniuses of the later generations: a decisor, a kabbalist, and a polymath. He was born in Sielec, Lithuania, and spent his life in Vilna. He was great in Scripture, in Talmud, in ha…
Biography
The Gra — the Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman (1720–1797) — was one of the greatest geniuses of the later generations: a decisor, a kabbalist, and a polymath. He was born in Sielec, Lithuania, and spent his life in Vilna. He was great in Scripture, in Talmud, in halacha, and in Kabbalah, an original and central decisor, and an expert in the sciences — mathematics, astronomy, and grammar. He refused to serve in any rabbinic position, and avoided honor, publicity, and authority over the public. He led the ideological line of the opposition to Hasidism (the Mitnagdim), and raised many disciples — chief among them Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin — who established the Volozhin Yeshiva and the ascent of the Perushim to the Land of Israel. His works — commentaries and glosses on every part of the Torah, revealed and hidden — are a foundation of talmudic scholarship and Jewish thought for the generations. He was known for his extraordinary diligence and his asceticism, and many legends were woven around his name. He died in Vilna on 19 Tishrei 5558 (1797), and was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Šnipiškės in the city.
Life Story
Childhood
He was born in Sielec (Salts), Lithuania, on 15 Nisan 5480 (1720), to his father Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, one of the sages of the community. Already in his childhood he was revealed as a wondrous child: at the age of six he delivered a sermon in the synagogue, and at the age of nine he was expert in the Bible and the Mishnah. His father entrusted him to teachers and sages, but he soon studied on his own and delved into every part of the Torah. At a young age he moved to Vilna, and there he sat and studied with extraordinary diligence.
Teachers
He studied mainly from his father, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, and later delved on his own into every part of the Torah — revealed and hidden, Talmud and decisors, Scripture and midrash, Kabbalah and sciences. He was a preeminent autodidact, and acquired most of his knowledge through rigorous self-study. In his youth he traveled to several communities and learned from their sages, but did not hold one preeminent teacher.
Students
He raised many disciples, chief among them Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin (the founder of the Volozhin Yeshiva and the author of Nefesh HaChaim), Rabbi Shlomo Zalman of Volozhin, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Shklov, Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov (one of the Perushim who ascended to Safed), Rabbi Menashe of Ilya, and Rabbi Binyamin Rivlin. His disciples continued his path in Torah and leadership, established the Volozhin Yeshiva — 'the mother of the yeshivas' — and ascended to the Land of Israel, and thus shaped the world of the yeshivas and the Ashkenazi settlement in the Land.
Family
His father was Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, one of the sages of Lithuania. His brother was Rabbi Yissachar Ber, and his nephew was Rabbi Moshe. He married his wife Chana, and his sons were Rabbi Avraham (the author of Even Shushan) and Rabbi Yehuda Leib. His family was among the pillars of Torah in Lithuania, and his sons and disciples continued his path.
Key Events
He refused to serve in any rabbinic position in Vilna or anywhere else, out of a desire to avoid honor, publicity, and authority. He led the ideological line of the opposition to Hasidism (the Mitnagdim), and thus shaped the character of Lithuanian Jewry for the generations. He composed commentaries and glosses on every part of the Torah — revealed and hidden — and most of them were printed after his death by his sons and disciples. He led the Jews of Vilna and Lithuania without holding an official position, and his standing was extraordinary in the period of the later generations.
Miracles
Many legends were woven around the name of the Gra, including stories of his wondrous knowledge, of his unceasing diligence day and night, and of his asceticism from the pleasures of the world. It is told that he studied while awake and in sleep, and that he slept only a few hours. These legends, though not documented in his own writings, reflect the admiration of the generations for his figure and his traits.
Influence
The influence of the Gra is felt in every field of Torah and thought. His commentaries and glosses on the Shulchan Aruch and on the Talmud are a foundation of the scholarship of the later generations. His disciples established the Volozhin Yeshiva — 'the mother of the yeshivas' — and thus shaped the world of the yeshivas for the generations. The ascent of the Perushim to the Land of Israel, which he initiated and encouraged, laid the foundation for the Ashkenazi settlement in the Land. His opposition to Hasidism shaped the character of Lithuanian Jewry, and his thought in Kabbalah and in ethics influenced the Musar movement and Jewish thought. The figure of the Gra — the wondrous sage, the ascetic and the diligent — became a model for the generations.
Death
He died in Vilna on 19 Tishrei 5558 (1797), at the age of 77, on the eve of the intermediate days of Sukkot. He was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Šnipiškės in Vilna, and his tomb became a pilgrimage site. His memory is preserved in Israel as one of the greatest geniuses of all the generations, and as one who shaped the world of Torah and thought for many generations.
Writings
Biur HaGra on Shulchan Aruch
18th centuryHalacha
Glosses and commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch — Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah. One of the foundational works of halachic decision for the generations, and studied in every study hall. Characterized by rigorous precision, by the search for the source, and by the correction of texts.
Aderet Eliyahu
18th centuryBiblical exegesis
A deep commentary on the Torah. It reveals the secrets of the verses in peshat and remez, and is characterized by precision in language and grammar. One of the foundational works of biblical exegesis.
Shenot Eliyahu
18th centuryMishnah
A commentary on Mishnah Seder Zeraim. It explains the Mishnah with precision and depth, and is characterized by the understanding of the talmudic sugyot in the background.
Orhot HaKodesh
18th centuryKabbalah
Works on Kabbalah, including commentaries on Sefer Yetzirah and on the writings of the Arizal. It reveals the secrets of the Torah and the commandments in depth, and testifies to the Gra's delving into the hidden.
Commentary of the Gra on Proverbs
18th centuryBiblical exegesis
A deep commentary on the book of Proverbs. It reveals the secrets of the verses in peshat and remez, and is characterized by precision and the understanding of the reasons for the commandments and the traits.
Commentary of the Gra on Scroll of Esther
18th centuryBiblical exegesis
A commentary on the Scroll of Esther. It explains the secret of the scroll and the miracle of Purim in depth, and stands on the grammar of the language and on the hints of the scroll.
Glosses of the Gra on the Talmud
18th centuryTalmud
Glosses and corrections of texts on the Babylonian Talmud. A foundation for the understanding of the sugyot and for the correction of texts, and studied in every edition of the Talmud.
Even Shushan
18th centuryTalmud
A commentary on tractates of the Talmud, composed by his son Rabbi Avraham according to his father's words. It explains the sugyot with precision and depth, and testifies to the Gra's method of study.
His Way and Views
Torah Study
The Gra saw the study of Torah as the calling of man in the world, and persevered in study day and night, in every part of the Torah — revealed and hidden. He held that all parts of the Torah should be studied as one: Scripture, Mishnah, Talmud, halacha, midrash, Kabbalah, and sciences — for all emerge from one source. His commentaries on the Torah and on the Talmud are characterized by rigorous precision, by the search for the simple truth, and by care for the language of holiness and its grammar. He saw the study of Kabbalah as an inseparable part of the Torah of Israel, and delved into the writings of the Arizal and into the Sefer Yetzirah.
Halacha
He was an original and central decisor. His commentaries and glosses on the Shulchan Aruch — chief among them Biur HaGra on Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah — are a foundation of halachic decision for the generations, and are studied in every study hall. He insisted on precision in the sources, on understanding the reasons, and on correcting customs that were not well-founded. He saw in halacha the revelation of the divine will, and in its fulfillment the purpose of man.
Faith
The faith of the Gra was whole and deep. He believed in the holiness of the Torah, in the eternity of Israel, and in redemption. He saw in every event of life a particular providence, and in every commandment a generalization and specification and a deep reason. He delved into Kabbalah and into the secrets of the Torah, and saw them as an inseparable part of the faith of Israel. He held that redemption would come through the repair of traits and the perseverance in Torah, and encouraged the ascent of his disciples to the Land of Israel.
Ethics
The Gra saw the repair of traits and the care in commandments as the foundation of divine service. He demanded extra care in the fulfillment of the commandments, and sought to fulfill every commandment in its completeness and precision. He saw in humility, in alacrity, and in guarding the tongue the building blocks of divine service. He held that man is judged for every moment, and that time should not be wasted. The figure of the Gra — the ascetic, the diligent, and the man of traits — became a model for the Musar movement and for Lithuanian Jewry.
Customs
He corrected many customs, and sought to restore them to their halachic source. He insisted on precision in the sources, and abolished customs that were not well-founded. He saw in the commandments hints to supernal secrets, and in their fulfillment the connection of man and the world to holiness. He practiced asceticism and contentment with little, and saw in them a means of preserving the mind and the heart for Torah.
Character
He was holy, ascetic, and humble. A man of extraordinary diligence, who studied day and night and minimized sleep and pleasures. He refused honor and position, and avoided authority over the public. He had the courage to stand for his faith and his path, even in the face of new movements in the people. His figure became a model of a sage, an ascetic, and a diligent scholar.
Public Role
He led the Jews of Vilna and Lithuania without holding an official position. His standing was extraordinary in the period of the later generations, and he was considered the supreme rabbinic authority. He led the ideological line of the opposition to Hasidism, and thus shaped the character of Lithuanian Jewry. He encouraged the ascent of his disciples to the Land of Israel, and thus laid the foundation for the Ashkenazi settlement in the Land.
Famous Quotes
"One does not act based on signs (omens)"
"Effort where possible is a mitzvah"
"The Holy One only gives a person according to his strength"
Famous Stories
The Gra refused to serve in any rabbinic position in Vilna or anywhere else, out of a desire to avoid honor, publicity, and authority over the public. He sat and studied Torah in asceticism and diligence, and his livelihood was modest. Although he did not hold an official position, his standing was extraordinary in the period of the later generations, and he was considered the supreme rabbinic authority. This refusal became a model of humility and asceticism for the generations.
The Gra led the ideological line of the opposition to Hasidism (the Mitnagdim), out of concern for innovations that were not founded in halacha and custom. He saw the perseverance in Torah and the precision in halacha as the proper path of service, and was concerned about streams he saw as deviant. This opposition shaped the character of Lithuanian Jewry for the generations, and made the world of the Lithuanian yeshivas a model of scholarship and diligence.
The Gra encouraged the ascent of his disciples to the Land of Israel, and thus laid the foundation for the ascent of the Perushim — his disciples who ascended to Safed and Jerusalem under the leadership of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Shklov and Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov. This ascent laid the foundation for the Ashkenazi settlement in the Land of Israel, and influenced the history of the Old and New Yishuv. The vision of the Gra — the repair of traits, the perseverance in Torah, and the ascent to the Land — influenced many generations.
Students
Teachers
Grave Site
Timeline
Birth in Sielec (Salts), Lithuania
Delivered a sermon in the synagogue; a wondrous child
Expert in the Bible and the Mishnah
Move to Vilna; perseverance in Torah study
Leading the opposition to Hasidism
Establishment of the Volozhin Yeshiva by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, his disciple
Ascent of the Perushim to the Land of Israel, disciples of the Gra
Death in Vilna; burial in the Šnipiškės cemetery
Legacy
The legacy of the Gra is felt in every field of Torah and thought. His commentaries and glosses on the Shulchan Aruch and on the Talmud are a foundation of the scholarship of the later generations, and are studied in every study hall. His disciples established the Volozhin Yeshiva — 'the mother of the yeshivas' — and thus shaped the world of the yeshivas for the generations. The ascent of the Perushim to the Land of Israel, which he initiated and encouraged, laid the foundation for the Ashkenazi settlement in the Land. His opposition to Hasidism shaped the character of Lithuanian Jewry, and his thought in Kabbalah and in ethics influenced the Musar movement and Jewish thought. The figure of the Gra — the wondrous sage, the ascetic and the diligent — became a model for the generations, and his memory is preserved in Israel as one of the greatest geniuses of all the generations. Streets, neighborhoods, and Torah institutions in Israel and around the world are named for him.