Maharhu • Rahu • Rabbi Chaim Vital
Chaim Vital Calabrese
Era of the AcharonimRabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese (Maharhu) was among the greatest kabbalists of Safed and the foremost disciple of the Arizal. He wrote down and edited the entirety of the Arizal’s teachings, and through him the tradition of Lurianic Kabbalah was transmitted to subsequent generations.…
Biography
Rabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese (Maharhu) was among the greatest kabbalists of Safed and the foremost disciple of the Arizal. He wrote down and edited the entirety of the Arizal’s teachings, and through him the tradition of Lurianic Kabbalah was transmitted to subsequent generations. He is regarded as the Arizal’s spiritual heir and as the sole authoritative source for the Arizal’s Kabbalah as it exists in our possession today.
Life Story
Childhood
He was born on Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan 5303 (1542) in Safed to Rabbi Yosef Calabrese (or Calavrese), who had immigrated to the Land of Israel from southern Italy. The name “Vital” was given to him as a Latin rendering of his Hebrew name, Chaim. He grew up during the period when Safed had become a favored destination for Jewish immigrants from many lands, especially in the wake of the Spanish Expulsion, and when the city was at the height of its growth and splendor.
Teachers
At the age of fourteen he began studying in the beit midrash of Rabbi Moshe Alsheikh. He later studied Kabbalah under Rabbi Moshe Cordovero. After Rabbi Moshe Cordovero’s passing, the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria) arrived in Safed, and Rabbi Chaim Vital became his most outstanding and important disciple. The Arizal transmitted his entire teaching to him and instructed him not to teach it to others.
Students
Among his prominent disciples were his son Rabbi Shmuel Vital, who continued to disseminate his writings; Rabbi Chaim HaKohen, a kabbalist; and Rabbi Abraham Azulai, who was involved in editing and spreading the writings of the Arizal.
Family
His father, Rabbi Yosef Calabrese, immigrated from southern Italy to the Land of Israel. His son, Rabbi Shmuel Vital, continued his path in spreading the teachings of Kabbalah and published some of his writings.
Key Events
At the age of twenty-four he devoted two and a half years to the study of alchemy, and he wrote about it in his books. After meeting the Arizal, he became his foremost disciple and received from him the full body of his kabbalistic teaching. Following the Arizal’s passing, Rabbi Chaim Vital was regarded as the highest authority in Kabbalah, and he forbade the Arizal’s other disciples from teaching his doctrine, lest it be transmitted inaccurately.
Influence
Rabbi Chaim Vital is the sole authoritative source for the entire kabbalistic teaching of the Arizal. All the writings of the Arizal in our possession today are based on Rabbi Chaim Vital’s manuscripts. After the Arizal’s passing, he became the supreme authority in the wisdom of Kabbalah, and his influence remains evident to this day throughout the world of the kabbalists and the study of Kabbalah.
Death
He passed away on the 30th of Nisan 5380 (1620) in Damascus at the age of seventy-seven.
Writings
Etz Chaim
Kabbalah
The principal work among the writings of the Arizal, summarizing the Arizal’s Kabbalah. It includes foundational principles in the wisdom of Kabbalah in general and in the teachings of the Arizal in particular. It was compiled by the kabbalist Rabbi Meir Poppers from the writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital.
Sha'ar HaGilgulim
Kabbalah, transmigration
The eighth gate in the writings of the Arizal. It explains the matter of the transmigration of souls according to Kabbalah and the inner dimension of Torah. It is one of the best-known and most widely studied works in Lurianic Kabbalah.
Sha'ar Ma'amarei Rashbi
Kabbalah, Zohar
Interpretations of the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in the Zohar according to the doctrine of the Arizal.
Sha'ar HaMitzvot
Kabbalah, commandments
An exposition of the commandments in light of the secrets of Kabbalah and the teachings of the Arizal.
Sha'ar HaKavanot
Kabbalah, prayer
An explanation of the kavanot in prayer and in the performance of the commandments according to the teachings of the Arizal.
Derekh Etz Chaim
Kabbalah
A summary and abridgment of the main principles of Etz Chaim for systematic study.
Pri Etz Chaim
Kabbalah, commandments
The kavanot of the commandments and prayers according to the teachings of the Arizal.
Sefer HaLikkutim
Kabbalah, Torah
A compilation from the writings of the Arizal on the Torah portions and the festivals of the year.
Sha'ar Ruach HaKodesh
Kabbalah, prophecy
Deals with divine inspiration and prophecy according to the teachings of Kabbalah.
His Way and Views
Torah Study
Rabbi Chaim Vital emphasized the study of Kabbalah in accordance with the path of the Arizal. He saw the study of Kabbalah as the pinnacle of spiritual perfection, yet he insisted that it be studied exactly as he had received it from his master, without alteration or addition.
Faith
He believed in the mystery of transmigration of souls and in the rectification of souls as part of the process of spiritual perfection. He viewed all the events of life as opportunities for the soul’s rectification.
Ethics
He stressed the importance of fear of Heaven, humility, and modesty as prerequisites for receiving the secrets of the Torah. He regarded refined character traits as the foundation of the service of God.
Customs
He conducted himself according to the Arizal’s kavanot in prayer and in the performance of the commandments, and he transmitted these devotional intentions to his disciples and in his writings.
Famous Quotes
"Everything I wrote in my books I did not write from my own mind, but only from what I received from my master, the Arizal."
"Fortunate is the one who merits to attain the secret of this wisdom, and he must be exceedingly God-fearing."
Students
Teachers
Timeline
Born in Safed, 1st of Cheshvan 5303
Began studying in the beit midrash of Rabbi Moshe Alsheikh at the age of fourteen
Began studying Kabbalah under Rabbi Moshe Cordovero
Met the Arizal and became his foremost disciple
Passing of the Arizal — Rabbi Chaim Vital becomes his successor
Passed away in Damascus, 30th of Nisan 5380
Legacy
Rabbi Chaim Vital is the sole authoritative source for the Arizal’s kabbalistic teaching. Without him, the entire tradition of Lurianic Kabbalah would have been lost. His writings—chief among them Etz Chaim and Sha'ar HaGilgulim—remain the foundation of all study of Lurianic Kabbalah to this day. He is regarded as one of the greatest kabbalists of all generations, and his influence on the world of Kabbalah and Hasidism is immense.