Rabbi Isaac Luria (July 25, 1534 - 1572), a.k.a “The Ari”, was a mystic and Jewish scholar. He is the founder of one of the most important branches of Kabbalah, often referred to as “Lurianic Kabbalah.” Rabbi Isaac Luria revealed a powerfully elegant mystical structure that deciphers the secrets of Kabbalah from the beginning of time. The 25 volumes, based on his teachings, cover every mystical concept from reincarnation to kavanah (intention) of prayer; from the elevation of sparks to outlining the cosmic order of four worlds and the ten sefirot (supernal spiritual attributes). His doctrine of tzimtzum (spiritual contractions and limitation) revolutionized the understanding of Divine unity, good and evil and the human ability to touch the Divine. Learn more about the ArizalRabbi Isaac Luria; Jewish Scholar and Mystic while you Tour IsraelNation of the Jewish People!
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Biographical highlights:
~ 1534: Born in the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World of JerusalemThe capital of Israel This location is an IsraelNation of the Jewish People Travel prime pick.
~ 1541: Moves to Egypt with his mother after his father, Rabbi Shlomo Luria, passed away; Lives with his uncle, Mordechai Frances, a wealthy tax agent
~ Teachers: Rabbi David ben Zimra (“Radbaz”), Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi (author of Shittah Mekubetzet)
~ 1549 (Approx.): Marries his uncle's daughter
~ Spends seven years in almost total self-seclusion with Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi - Around this time a copy of one volume of the Zohar comes into his hands; with this Zohar, he studies alone for another six years
~ 1570: Travels to and settles in TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities in northern IsraelNation of the Jewish People; becomes recognized unanimously by all the great masters as the greatest master of all
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~ Rabbi Chaim Vital (1542-1620) documents all the ArizalRabbi Isaac Luria; Jewish Scholar and Mystic’s teachings.
~ 1572: Passes away on the 5th of Av, at age thirty-eight; thousands of people visit his gravesite in the Old Cemetery of TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities and visit his
mikvah (ritual bath)
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~ 1782: First printing of the Ari’s teachings under the name “Eitz Chaim” – The Tree of Life
Concepts: Primary contributions:
Tzimtzum - G-d's “self-contraction” - the concealment of the Divine light of the Ein Sof (without end or beginning)
Shevirat hakeilim - the shattering of the vessels in the world of Tohu.
Birur hanitzutzot - elevating the sparks - the Tikkun (rectification, or correction) of the shattering of the vessels
Partzufim - literally, "visages" – compound structures of the sefirot in arrays that interact with each other
Published Writings (documented by Rabbi Chaim Vital):
Etz Chaim (Tree of Life)
Pri Eitz Chaim (Fruit of the Tree of Life)
Mavoah She’arim (Entrance to the Gates)
Otzrot Chaim (Treasures of Chaim [life])
The Eight Gates: Sha’ar (The Gate of)… haHakdamot (Introductions); haPesukim (Verses); haMitzvot (Commandments); haKavanot (Meditations); Ruach haKodesh (The Holy Spirit); haGilgulim (Reincarnations); Ma’amorei R’ Shimeon Bar Yochai (Sayings of Rabbi Shimeon Bar Yochai); Ma’amorei Chazal (Sayings of the Sages)
Sha’arei Kedusha (Gates of Holiness)
Sha’ar HaYichudim (Gate of Unifications)
Likutei Torahthe central and most important document of Judaism (Torahthe central and most important document of Judaism Selections)
Ta’amei haMitzvot (Reasons for the Commandments)
Sefer HaLikkutim (Book of Selections)
400 Shekalim Kesef (Discourse on the “Four Hundred Shekels of Silver”)
Likkutei HaShas (Selections on Talmud)