Gates of Holiness

.How to become a prophet. Ways to achieve levels of holiness in our time, described in one book by Rabbi Chaim Vital.

Among the works by r. Chaim Vital, which embodied the teachings of Arizal, the most distinguished book "Shaarei Kdusha" ("Gates of Holiness"). Today we present this book to Russian-speaking readers in the translation by r. Leib Alexander Savrasov, known as the translator of Ramchal's works series.

When arrived in Tzfat great Kabbalist r. Isaac Luria (Arizal), p. Chaim Vital became his faithful disciple and closest follower. Arizal allowed to write his lessons only to him because only his perception was, according to the teacher, quite adequate. Since 1572, when the Arizal completed his earthly journey, r. Chaim Vital succeeded him at the head of the circle in Tsfat Kabbalists. About Cinquantenaire he dedicated processing and systematization of recordings made during the life of a teacher.

Since 5354/1594 / year r. Chaim Vital lived in Damascus, where he died in 5380/1620 / year, bequeathed to bury with him all his manuscripts, containing the great secrets of the Torah - and his will was executed. However, a significant part of the work r. Chaim Vital students to copy during his life - in a period of illness when he was unconscious.

Comments r. Chaim Vital to Tanach collected in the book "Likutei Torah" and the Talmudic interpretation of the dowry - in the book "Likutei Shas." Intimate knowledge gained from the Arizal, he set out in two volume book "Etshaim" and "Etsha-Daat." Along with the book r. Shimon bar Yochai, "Zohar" book r. Chaim Vital become the founding works of Kabbalah and outlined ways of studying it for all future generations.

Among the works r. Chaim Vital, which depicted teaching Arizal, the most distinguished book "Shaarei Kdusha" ("Gate of holiness"). Today we present this book to Russian readers in translation r. Leib Alexander Savrasov, known as an interpreter of a number of Ramchal's works.