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 Talmud scholar and an expert in Halacha (Jewish law) and Kabbalah. 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 prayers properly and from school at fixed times Songs, niggunim, Pious Torah genius. Studied Miracle worker shuckling (swaying Talmud eighteen hours during prayer) a day Intensive Talmud study, Devekut – personal Ba’al Shem Tov Opposition concerned about the connection to God, letter of the law enthusiasm MODULE 1 – LESSON 4 Supporting Jewish Schools.