Vilna Gaon

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

Ascetism

Elijah led an ascetic life. He interpreted literally the words of the ancient rabbis, that the Torah can be acquired only by abandoning all pleasures and by cheerfully accepting suffering; and as he lived up to this principle, he was revered by his countrymen as a saint, being called by some of his contemporaries "the Hasid".

Related Topics:
Ascetic - Torah

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Elijah once started on a trip to the Land of Israel, but did not get beyond Germany (although in the very early nineteenth century, waves of his students did manage the trip, settling mostly in the city of Tzfat. While at Königsberg he wrote to his family a letter which was published under the title Alim li-Terufah, Minsk, 1836.

Related Topics:
Land of Israel - Germany - Tzfat - Königsberg - Minsk - 1836

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