Rav Chaim Vital

Rav Chaim Vital - (1542-1620), Tzvat, Israel; foremost disciple of Rav Isaac Luria – The Arizal. As a young boy, was educated by the Alsheich HaKadosh, at the request of R' Yoseph Karo. Arrived in Egypt in 1577, but soon returned, settling in the village of Ein Zeitim (near Tzefat) and later in Jerusalem. Later went to live in Damascus, where he became the head of the Sicilian Jewish community before returnging to Tzefat.