Great Leaders of our People

Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas (Reishis Chochma)

Sixteenth century Kabbalist and disciple of the Master of Kabbala, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero. Rabbi Eliyahu authored the massive musar work, Reshit Chochma, which enjoyed great popularity and was reprinted many times. A number of abbreviated versions were also prepared and they, too, appeared in numerous editions. Rabbi Eliyahu and his rebbe, Rabbi Moshe, were so close, that Rabbi Chaim Vital stated that their souls were derived from the same root.