Rabbi, Writer, and Philosopher. Vilna Gaon is reputed to have learned a great deal about the Talmud even as a child. As a young man, he wandered in various parts of Europe including Poland and Germany. He returned to his native city in 1748. He was well versed in the Torah, Hebrew grammar, secular sciences, and Kabbalah. Scholars, Jewish and non-Jewish, sought his insights into mathematics and astronomy. He declined to accept the office of rabbi, and only lectured from time to time to a few chosen pupils. When Hasidic Judaism arose in Vilna, he joined with other leaders in 1777 to take steps to check their influence, excommunicating the Hasidim. In 1781, when the Hasidim renewed proselytizing, he excommunicated them again, declaring them to be heretics. Except for this, he was not known for taking part in public affairs. He did not preside over a school in Vilna, only teaching small groups, and putting stress on the study of the Jerusalem Talmud. He led an ascetic life, reputedly abandoning all pleasures and accepting suffering. He made many notes and commentaries in Hebrew books, but nothing of his was published in his lifetime. He also wrote on mathematics, being well versed in the works of Euclid and encouraging their translation of his works into Hebrew.
Rabbi, Writer, and Philosopher. Vilna Gaon is reputed to have learned a great deal about the Talmud even as a child. As a young man, he wandered in various parts of Europe including Poland and Germany. He returned to his native city in 1748. He was well versed in the Torah, Hebrew grammar, secular sciences, and Kabbalah. Scholars, Jewish and non-Jewish, sought his insights into mathematics and astronomy. He declined to accept the office of rabbi, and only lectured from time to time to a few chosen pupils. When Hasidic Judaism arose in Vilna, he joined with other leaders in 1777 to take steps to check their influence, excommunicating the Hasidim. In 1781, when the Hasidim renewed proselytizing, he excommunicated them again, declaring them to be heretics. Except for this, he was not known for taking part in public affairs. He did not preside over a school in Vilna, only teaching small groups, and putting stress on the study of the Jerusalem Talmud. He led an ascetic life, reputedly abandoning all pleasures and accepting suffering. He made many notes and commentaries in Hebrew books, but nothing of his was published in his lifetime. He also wrote on mathematics, being well versed in the works of Euclid and encouraging their translation of his works into Hebrew.
Bio by: Pete Mohney
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