Vilna Gaon

The Vilna Gaon (b. April 23 1720–October 9 1797) was a prominent Jewish rabbi, Talmud scholar, and Kabbalist.

Antagonism to Hasidism

When Hasidic Judaism became influential in his native town Elijah, joining the rabbis and heads of the Polish communities, took steps to check the Hasidic influence. In 1777 the first excommunication by the Mitnagdim was launched at Vilna against the Hasidim, while a letter was also addressed to all the large communities, exhorting them to deal with the Hasidim after the example of Vilna, and to watch them until they had recanted. The letter was acted upon by several communities; and in Brody, during the fair, the cherem (ban of excommunication) was pronounced against the Hasidim.

Related Topics:
Hasidic Judaism - 1777 - Mitnagdim - Vilna - Brody - Cherem

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1781, when the Hasidim renewed their proselytizing work under the leadership of their rabbi, Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Elijah excommunicated them again, declaring them to be heretics with whom no pious Jew might intermarry. Elijah also accused Shneur Zalman and his adherents of belief in pantheism, which is generally considered heretical in Judaism. The charges may or may not have been well-founded. Hasidic Jews generally do accept panentheism, and without clear systematic study of these two similar theologies, one can read the same texts and interpret them as either pantheism or panentheism.

Related Topics:
1781 - Shneur Zalman of Liadi - Jew - Pantheism - Panentheism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After this, Elijah went into retirement again, and the Hasidim seized the opportunity to spread a rumor that Elijah sided with them and that he repented of having persecuted them. Elijah then sent two of his pupils (1796) with letters to all the communities of Poland, declaring that he had not changed his attitude in the matter, and that the assertions of the Hasidim were pure inventions. Still, Elijah had seen beforehand that all the excommunications would be of no avail, and that they would not stop the tide of Hasidism.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~