M -P

mystical text by R. Yosef Karo.

Rabbi Yehudah ben Betzalel Loew c. 5285-5369 (c. 1525-1609 CE). His mystical writings include Be'er Hagolah; Netivot Olam; Tiferet Yisrael. He is also famous for having produced a golem (humanoid).

known as the Rambam, from the acronym of his name R. Moshe ben Maimon; 4895-4964 (1135-1204 CE). Physician and Torah scholar originally from Cordoba, Spain, but who fled from persecution to North Africa, passing through Morocco and eventually settling in Egypt. Known for his works of Jewish law and philosophy works, Mishna Torah and Guide to the Perplexed, he also commanded kabbala, though he did not overtly present this knowledge in his works.

Kabbala work by R. Natan Nota Shapiro.

(Ramah) 4950-5004 (1190-1244 CE). He wrote a commentary on Sefer Yetzira entitled Lifnei v'Lifnim. See also Abulafia entry above.

c. 5240-? (1480- ? CE). Fled from the Spanish Inquisition.

d. 5422 (1622). One of the important kabbalists in the circle of the Ari, lived in Jerusalem and studied kabbala under R. Yaakov Tzemach. Best known for putting in order Rabbi Chaim Vital's manuscripts of the Ari zal's teachings and printing them. He arranged the manuscripts according to the index written in Rabbi Chaim Vital's own handwriting that he found in Damascus in the possession of Rabbi Shmuel Vital, the son of Rabbi Chaim Vital. Rabbi Meir himself wrote several important kabbalistic works. He is buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. [See Encylopedia l'Gedolei Yisrael (Margolius) (Hebrew)]

(Anshei Knesset HaGedola) received from Baruch ben Neriah and his court. It was comprised of 120 sages included Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Daniel, Chananya, Nehemiah ben Chachalya, Mordechai, Zerubavel and many others.

(Rama miPano) 5308-5380 (1548-1620 CE). Very important kabbalist in Italy. Student of Rabbi Yisrael Sarug and Mordechai Dato.

4983-5050 (1223-1290 CE). Wrote a mystical commentary on the Torah. He quotes frequently from Ramban.

(the Tzemach Tzedek) 5549-5626 (1789-1866 CE),third Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch; grandson of R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi (the "Alter" Rebbe) and nephew of R. Dovber of Lubavitch (the "Mittler" Rebbe).

(1902-1994), Rebbe of Lubavitch from 1950.

an unpublished commentary on Sefer Yetzira by Rabbi Shmuel Motot.

began prophesying in 3160 (600 BCE). He received from Isaiah and his court.

a commentary on Pirkei Avot, by Shmuel Ozida.

treatise on Zohar by R. Shalom Buzaglo.

commentary on Maarechet HaElokut by R. Yehuda Chayat.

a kabbalistic work by R. Emanuel Chai Riki.

2368-2488 (1393-1273 BCE). Directed the Exodus from Egypt. Received the Torah for the Jewish People.

5268-5353 (1508-1593 CE). Author of a "Torat Moshe," a mystical commentary on the Torah.

4895-4964 (1135-1204 CE) also called "Maimonides", the Rambam. Physician and Torah scholar originally from Cordoba, Spain, but who fled from persecution to North Africa, passing through Morocco and eventually settling in Egypt. Known for his halachic expositions and rationalist philosophic works, the Guide to the Perplexed and Mishna Torah, he also commanded kabbala, though he did not overtly present this knowledge in his works.

(Ramban) born c. 4955 (1195 CE) in Gerona, Spain, d. 5030 (1270 CE) in Acco, Israel. A disciple of Rabbi Ezra and Rabbi Azriel of Gerona.

5000-5070 (1240-1310 CE). Spanish kabbalist who was very highly regarded by his contemporaries. He wrote several kabbalistic works.

c. 5150- c. 5200 (c. 1390- c. 1440 CE). Rabbi Moshe was a Spanish kabbalist who became famous for his commentary on Sefer Yetzira.

(Ramchal) b. in Padua 5467 (1707 CE) d. in Acco, Israel 5506 (1746 CE) Author of important kabbalistic works, "KLaCh" Pitchei Chochma, Da'at Tevunot, Derech Hashem, and Mesillat Yesharim.

5282-5330 (1522-1570 CE). Kabbalist in Safed. Author of several important Kabbalistic works, including Pardes Rimonim (completed at the age of 27); Sefer Eilimah Rabbati; Or Ne'erav, Or Yakar (a commentary on Zohar) and many others. Student of Rabbi Yosef Karo and Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz.

c. 5000 - c. 5065 (c. 1240 - c. 1305 CE) in Leon near Castile. Published the manuscripts of the Zohar that had come into his possession.

(known as Ramaz or Remez). Born around 5380 (1620 CE) in Amsterdam; d. 5457 (1697 CE) (studied in Amsterdam, Holland, Poland and Lithuania. Rabbi in Venice and Mantua, Italy where he died). Studied for two years under a student of the Ari zal, Rabbi Binyamin haLevi who came as an emissary from Safed. Wrote Kol HaReMez

5532-5570 (1772-1810 CE), grandson of Israel Baal Shem Tov, and early Chassidic leader. His stories and teachings have been collected by his followers, beginning with his first disciple, Rabbi Nosson.

began prophesying in 3240 (520 BCE). He received from Joel (Yoel) and his court.

1st half of 17th C. CE. Born in Frankfort. Author of Emek HaMelech (pub. 5408 (1648 CE).

5345-5393 (1585-1633) Author of Megaleh Amukot and Ranav Ofanim. Eliyahu HaNavi is said to have visited with him regularly.

of Yerushalayim, published Tuv Ha'Aretz in 1655, a mystical treatise on Eretz Yisrael. Immigrated from Cracow. Became Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Jerusalem. Named after his uncle, author of Megaleh Amukot.

(Tanna of the second half of 1st Century CE). A disciple of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai. Teacher of Rabbi Yishmael, Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol. Wrote the Bahir; Sefer HaTemuna (together with Rabbi Yishmael).

a kabbalistic treatise by the Maharal of Prague.

famous kabbalistic commentary on the Torah by R. Chaim ibn Attar.

Kabbala work by R. Moshe Cordovero.

a commentary on Zohar by R. Moshe Cordovero.

mystical interpretation of Talmudic passages by Todros Abulafia.

Kabbala work by R. Moshe Cordovero.

Kabbala work written by Eliezer HaGadol.