FROM EXILE TO EMANCIPATION

MITNAGDIM

RABBI ELIYAHU BEN SHLOMO ZALMAN, THE VILNA GAON

The Vilna Gaon, lived in the eighteenth century and was the most important Jewish leader of the Mitnagdim, who opposed the new Hasidic movement. He was a scholar and an expert in Halacha (Jewish law) and . He wrote many books and commentaries about Halacha, the Talmud, the Mishnah and the Torah. 1/2

MODULE 1 – LESSON 4 Supporting Jewish Schools FROM EXILE TO EMANCIPATION

MITNAGDIM

TOMB OF THE VILNA GAON

This photograph was taken in 1988 of the tomb of Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, the Vilna Gaon, who died in 1797 and was buried in the old Jewish cemetery of Vilna. In the 1950s the old cemetery was destroyed and the Vilna Gaon’s remains were reburied in the cemetery pictured here.

The Vilna Gaon, also known as HaGra, lived in the eighteenth century and was the most important Jewish leader of the Mitnagdim, who opposed the new Hasidic movement. One particular area of disagreement with the Hasidim was the role of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. The Vilna Gaon believed that only special, very learned men should learn Kabbalah, while the Ba’al Shem Tov thought that Kabbalah was for everyone. 2/2

MODULE 1 – LESSON 4 Supporting Jewish Schools FROM EXILE TO EMANCIPATION

WHO ARE THE HASIDIM AND MITNAGDIM?

Use the words or sentences in the word bank to fill in the spaces

HASIDIM MITNAGDIM

Meaning of word

Leader

Background of leader

Skills of leader

Main emphasis

Prayer style

WORD BANK

Vilna Gaon Scholar A poor orphan. His job Decorum, stress on was to take children to saying properly and from school at fixed times

Songs, niggunim, Pious Torah genius. Studied Miracle worker shuckling (swaying Talmud eighteen hours during ) a day

Intensive Talmud study, – personal Ba’al Shem Tov Opposition concerned about the connection to God, letter of the law enthusiasm

MODULE 1 – LESSON 4 Supporting Jewish Schools