Vilna Gaon

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

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Except in this instance, Elijah almost never took part in public affairs; and, so far as is known, he did not preside over any great school in Vilna. He was satisfied, as has been already stated, with lecturing in his bet ha-midrash to a few chosen pupils, whom he initiated into his scientific methods. He taught them Hebrew grammar, Hebrew Bible, and Mishna, subjects which were largely neglected by the Talmudists of that time. He was especially anxious to introduce them to the study of the midrash literature, and the minor treatises of the Talmud, which were very little known by the scholars of his time.

Related Topics:
Vilna - Hebrew - Hebrew Bible - Mishna - Talmud - Midrash

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He laid special stress on the study of the Jerusalem Talmud, which had been almost entirely neglected for centuries. Being convinced that the study of the Torah is the very life of Judaism, and that this study must be conducted in a scientific and not in a merely scholastic manner, he encouraged his chief pupil, Rabbi Chaim Volozhin, to found a yeshiva (college) in which rabbinic literature should be taught. Chaim did not carry out the injunction of his master until some years after the death of the latter. The college was opened at Volozhin in 1803.

Related Topics:
Jerusalem Talmud - Chaim Volozhin - Yeshiva - Volozhin - 1803

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