This class looks at the life and writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital, the closest student of the Arizal, and main promulgator of his kabbalistic ideas.
As well as an overview of R’ Chaim Vital’s life and writings, in this class, we look in depth at sections of his journal/autobiography, “Sefer Hachezyonot,” which (among many other things) show his messianic aspirations, touch briefly on his interest in alchemy, his disputes with others, and end with his introduction to “Sha’arei Kedusha.”