The Vilna Gaon (April 23, 1720 – October 9, 1797) was a prominent Jewish rabbi, Talmud scholar, and Kabbalist. His real name was Elijah (Eliyahu) ben Shlomo Zalman Kremer (or Kramer), but he is commonly referred to in Hebrew as ha'Gaon ha'Chasid mi'Vilna, meaning "the saintly genius from Vilna", or in similar forms (Gaon of Vilna, Gaon mi Vilno, or Vilna Gaon), and as the Gra (a Hebrew acronym of "Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu"). Vilna Gaon - Youth and education. ...

Including:

• Vilna Gaon - Youth and education
• Vilna Gaon - Methods of study
• Vilna Gaon - Antagonism to Hasidism
• Vilna Gaon - Other work
• Vilna Gaon - Ascetism
• Vilna Gaon - Works
• Vilna Gaon - Influence

Read more here: » Vilna Gaon: Encyclopedia - Vilna Gaon

Born in Vilna (now Vilnius), Lithuania, he gave evidence of the possession of extraordinary talents while still a child. As young as three years old he had committed the Bible to memory. At the age of seven he was taught Talmud by Moses Margalit, rabbi of Kaidan and the author of a commentary to the Jerusalem Talmud, and was supposed to know several of the treatises by heart. The Vilna Gaon is well known for having possessed a photographic memory. By eight he was studying astronomy during lunch time. From the age of ten he continued his stud ...

See also:

Vilna Gaon, Vilna Gaon - Youth and education, Vilna Gaon - Methods of study, Vilna Gaon - Antagonism to Hasidism, Vilna Gaon - Other work, Vilna Gaon - Ascetism, Vilna Gaon - Works, Vilna Gaon - Influence

Read more here: » Vilna Gaon: Encyclopedia II - Vilna Gaon - Youth and education

Kabbalah (Hebrew קַבָּלָה "reception", Standard Hebrew Qabbala, Tiberian Hebrew Qabbālāh; also written variously as Cabala, Cabalah, Cabbala, Cabbalah, Kabala, Kabalah, Kabbala, Qabala, Qabalah, Kaballah) is an interpretation (exegesis, hermeneutic) key, "soul" of the Torah (Hebrew Bible), or the religious mystical system of Judaism claiming an insight into divine nature. Kabbalah is a doctrine of esoteric knowledge concerning God, God's creation of the universe and the laws of nature, and the path by whic ...

Including:

• Kabbalah - Origin of Jewish mysticism
• Kabbalah - Mystic doctrines in Talmudic times
• Kabbalah - Kabbalah of the early Middle Ages
• Kabbalah - Lurianic Kabbalah in the Middle Ages
• Kabbalah - Kabbalah of the Sefardim and Mizrahim
• Kabbalah - Kabbalah of the Maharal
• Kabbalah - The failure of Sabbatian mysticism
• Kabbalah - Spread of Kabbalah during the 1700s
• Kabbalah - The modern world
• Kabbalah - Primary texts
• Kabbalah - Theodicy: explanation for the existence of evil
• Kabbalah - Kabbalistic understanding of God
• Kabbalah - Sefirot
• Kabbalah - A Greek Orthodox theological view
• Kabbalah - The human soul in Kabbalah
• Kabbalah - Foretelling the future
• Kabbalah - Practical applications
• Kabbalah - Textual antiquity of esoteric mysticism
• Kabbalah - Gnosticism and Kabbalah
• Kabbalah - Criticisms
• Kabbalah - Dualism
• Kabbalah - Debate about Kabbalah in Judaism
• Kabbalah - Early critiques
• Kabbalah - Within Conservative and Reform Judaism
• Kabbalah - Kabbalah Centre
• Kabbalah - Kabbalah in non-Jewish society
• Kabbalah - Hermetic Kabbalah
• Kabbalah - Fictional representations
• Kabbalah - Kabbalah personalities
• Kabbalah - Footnotes

Read more here: » Kabbalah: Encyclopedia - Kabbalah

The rapid spread of Hasidic Judaism in the second half of the eighteenth century greatly troubled many traditional Jewish rabbis; many saw it as a potentially dangerous enemy. The movement's founder was Israel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov, or simply "the Besht"; he taught that man's relationship with God depended on immediate religious experience, in addition to knowledge and observance of ...

See also:

Mitnagdim, Mitnagdim - Origins

Read more here: » Mitnagdim: Encyclopedia II - Mitnagdim - Origins

The title of geon (also gaon) came to be applied to the heads of the two Babylonian academies of Sura and Pumbedita, though it did not displace the original title of Rosh Yeshivah Ge'on Ya'akov (Hebrew, head of the academy, pride of Jacob). The Aramaic term used was Resh metivta. The title 'geon properly designated the office of head of the academy. The title became popular in use around the end of the sixth century. As the academies of Sura and Pumbedita were invested with judicial authori ...

See also:

Geonim, Geonim - Role in Jewish life, Geonim - The title Geon, Geonim - Responsa, Geonim - Works of the Geonim, Geonim - The Kallah, Geonim - Individual geonim

Read more here: » Geonim: Encyclopedia II - Geonim - The title Geon

The Geonim officiated, in the first place, as directors of the academies, continuing as such the educational activity of the Amoraim and Saboraim. For while the Amoraim, through their interpretation of the Mishnah, gave rise to the Talmud, and while the Saboraim definitively edited it, the Geonim's task was to interpret it; for them it became the subject of study and instruction, and they gave religio-le ...

See also:

Geonim, Geonim - Role in Jewish life, Geonim - The title Geon, Geonim - Responsa, Geonim - Works of the Geonim, Geonim - The Kallah, Geonim - Individual geonim

Read more here: » Geonim: Encyclopedia II - Geonim - Role in Jewish life

Yeshiva or yeshivah (Hebrew: ישיבה pl. yeshivot or yeshivos) is an institution for Torah study and the study of Talmud primarily within Orthodox Judaism attended by males. Females usually attend Bais Yaakov schools. Yeshiva - History. See also Torah study Yeshiva - Pre-1800s. Traditionally, every town rabbi had the right to maintain a number of full-time or part-time pupils in the town's study hall (beis midra ...

Including:

• Yeshiva - History
• Yeshiva - Pre-1800s
• Yeshiva - Chaim Volozhin
• Yeshiva - Types of yeshivot
• Yeshiva - Prominent yeshivot
• Yeshiva - In the United States
• Yeshiva - In Israel
• Yeshiva - Academic year
• Yeshiva - Typical schedule
• Yeshiva - Method of study
• Yeshiva - Talmud study
• Yeshiva - Jewish law
• Yeshiva - Ethics
• Yeshiva - Weekly Torah portion

Read more here: » Yeshiva: Encyclopedia - Yeshiva

Haredi or Charedi Judaism, often also called ultra-Orthodox Judaism, is the most theologically conservative form of Orthodox Judaism. The term "ultra-Orthodox" is controversial, as it is often considered to be pejorative, and is rarely used by the Jews to whom it is applied; they generally prefer Haredi (חֲרֵדִי, a Hebrew term which is derived from Harada (fear, anxiety) and could be interperted as "one who trembles in awe of God"), Yeshivish ...

Including:

• Haredi Judaism - Practices and beliefs
• Haredi Judaism - Views of halakha
• Haredi Judaism - Lifestyle and family
• Haredi Judaism - Dress
• Haredi Judaism - History
• Haredi Judaism - Modern origins
• Haredi Judaism - Effects of the Holocaust
• Haredi Judaism - Present day
• Haredi Judaism - Israel
• Haredi Judaism - United States
• Haredi Judaism - United Kingdom
• Haredi Judaism - Organisations
• Haredi Judaism - Rabbinical leaders
• Haredi Judaism - External link

Read more here: » Haredi Judaism: Encyclopedia - Haredi Judaism

Daniel Lapin is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and the founder of Toward Tradition,the Pacific Jewish Center, the Commonwealth Loan Company and the Cascadia Business Institute. Daniel Lapin - Background. Lapin was born in South Africa to a Jewish family of Lithuanian descent. His father, Rabbi Avraham Chaim Lapin, a nephew of Rabbi Elya Lopian 1872-1970, served as a prominent and outspoken Orthodox rabbi in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and eventually established an Orthodox synagogue (Am EchadIncluding:

• Daniel Lapin - Background
• Daniel Lapin - Pacific Jewish Center
• Daniel Lapin - Radio show in Seattle
• Daniel Lapin - Conservative Judeo-Christian values vs. liberalism
• Daniel Lapin - Support for conservative Christians
• Daniel Lapin - Defense of a Holocaust Denier
• Daniel Lapin - Judaism is a non-proselytizing religion
• Daniel Lapin - Opposition to Jewish liberalism
• Daniel Lapin - Allies
• Daniel Lapin - Wealth
• Daniel Lapin - Relationship with Jack Abramoff
• Daniel Lapin - Fake awards for Jack Abramoff
• Daniel Lapin - Money laundering
• Daniel Lapin - Writings

Read more here: » Daniel Lapin: Encyclopedia - Daniel Lapin

Religious conversion is the adoption of new religious beliefs that differ from the convert's previous beliefs; in some cultures (e.g. Judaism) conversion also signifies joining an ethnic group as well as adopting that group's religious beliefs. Conversion requires internalization of the new belief system. Proselytizing is the act of trying to convert another individual from the convertee's religion to the converter's religion. Religious conversion - Religious conversion in international law. T ...

Including:

• Religious conversion - Religious conversion in international law
• Religious conversion - The convert/proselyte
• Religious conversion - Conversion to Judaism
• Religious conversion - Procedure
• Religious conversion - Conversion to Judaism in history
• Religious conversion - Relationship with converts
• Religious conversion - Differences between Jewish and Christian views
• Religious conversion - Conversion to Christianity
• Religious conversion - Reception of baptized persons into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church
• Religious conversion - Conversion of Catholics to Protestantism
• Religious conversion - Conversion to Islam
• Religious conversion - Conversion to religions of Indic origin
• Religious conversion - Conversion to new religious movements and cults
• Religious conversion - Conversion to Scientology
• Religious conversion - Prohibition of conversion
• Religious conversion - Proselytism
• Religious conversion - History
• Religious conversion - Issues involving proselytism

Read more here: » Religious conversion: Encyclopedia - Religious conversion

Prayer is an effort to communicate with God, or to some deity or deities, or another form of spiritual entity, or otherwise, either to offer praise, to make a request, or simply to express one's thoughts and emotions. Prayer - Approaches. There are a variety of approaches to understanding prayer: The belief that the prayer is listened to and may or may not get a response; The belief that prayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence th ...

Including:

• Prayer - Approaches
• Prayer - The act of prayer
• Prayer - Prayer in the Abrahamic religions
• Prayer - Prayer in the Bible
• Prayer - Jewish prayer
• Prayer - Christian prayer
• Prayer - Islamic prayer
• Prayer - Bahá'í prayer
• Prayer - Prayer in other religions
• Prayer - Hindu Prayer
• Prayer - Buddhism
• Prayer - Prayer in Jainism
• Prayer - Neopagan Prayers
• Prayer - Philosophical paradoxes of prayer
• Prayer - The educational approach
• Prayer - The Kabbalistic view of prayer
• Prayer - The rationalist approach
• Prayer - The experiential approach
• Prayer - Experimental evaluation of prayer
• Prayer - Historical polytheistic prayer
• Prayer - Prevalence
• Prayer - References and footnotes

Read more here: » Prayer: Encyclopedia - Prayer

Zionism is a political movement and an ideology that supports a Jewish homeland in the Land of Israel, where the Jewish nation originated and where Jewish kingdoms and self-governing states existed at various times in history. While Zionism is based heavily upon religious tradition linking the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, the modern movement was originally secular, beginning largely as a response to ram ...

Including:

• Zionism - Establishment of the Zionist movement
• Zionism - Zionist initiatives
• Zionism - Jewish reaction to Zionism
• Zionism - Zionism and the Arab Muslims
• Zionism - The struggle for Palestine
• Zionism - Zionism and Israel
• Zionism - Anti-Zionism and post-Zionism
• Zionism - Non-Jewish Zionism
• Zionism - Relevant articles
• Zionism - Types of Zionism
• Zionism - Zionist institutes and organization
• Zionism - History of Zionism and Israel
• Zionism - Notes

Read more here: » Zionism: Encyclopedia - Zionism

The Talmud (תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, Jewish ethics, customs, legends and stories, which Jewish tradition considers authoritative. It is a fundamental source of legislation, customs, case histories and moral exhortations. The Talmud has two components, the Mishnah which is the first written compilation of Judaism's Oral Law, and the Gemara, a discussion of the Mishnah (though the terms Talmud and Gemara are generally used interchangeably). It expands on the earlier writings in the Torah in general ...

Including:

• Talmud - Structure and function
• Talmud - Mishna and Gemara
• Talmud - Orders and tractates
• Talmud - Form and style
• Talmud - Halakha and Aggadah
• Talmud - The two Talmuds
• Talmud - Talmud Yerushalmi Jerusalem Talmud
• Talmud - Talmud Bavli Babylonian Talmud
• Talmud - Comparison of style and subject matter
• Talmud - Attitude to the Talmud within Judaism
• Talmud - Karaism
• Talmud - Talmudic Study and Kabbalah
• Talmud - The Enlightenment
• Talmud - Jews in Western culture
• Talmud - The Talmud in modern-day Judaism
• Talmud - Historical study
• Talmud - Changes within the text of the Talmud
• Talmud - External attacks on the Talmud
• Talmud - Charges of racism
• Talmud - Modern day Talmud scholars
• Talmud - Conservative
• Talmud - The Daf Yomi Daily Page
• Talmud - Translations
• Talmud - Translations of Talmud Bavli
• Talmud - Translations of Talmud Yerushalmi

Read more here: » Talmud: Encyclopedia - Talmud

April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). There are 252 days remaining. April 23 - Events. 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene. 1014 - Battle of Clontarf: Brian Boru defeats Viking invaders, but is killed in battle. 1348 - The founding of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III of England is announced on St George's ...

Including:

• April 23 - Events
• April 23 - Births
• April 23 - Deaths
• April 23 - Holidays and observances

Read more here: » April 23: Encyclopedia - April 23

Rabbinic literature, in the broadest sense, can mean the entire spectrum of Judaism's rabbinic writing/s throughout history. However, the term often used as an exact cognate of the Hebrew term Sifrut Hazal (ספרות חז"ל; "Literature [of our] Sages, [of] blessed memory"), where the latter usually refers specifically to literature from the Talmudic era. The latter, more specific, sense is how the term is normally used in medieval and modern rabbinic writing (where Hazal normally refers only to the sages of the ...

Including:

• Rabbinic literature - The oral law
• Rabbinic literature - The Midrash
• Rabbinic literature - Later works by category
• Rabbinic literature - Jewish law
• Rabbinic literature - Jewish thought and ethics
• Rabbinic literature - Liturgy
• Rabbinic literature - Later works by historical period
• Rabbinic literature - Works of the Geonim
• Rabbinic literature - Works of the Rishonim the early rabbinical commentators
• Rabbinic literature - Works of the Acharonim the later rabbinical commentators
• Rabbinic literature - Meforshim
• Rabbinic literature - Bibliography

Read more here: » Rabbinic literature: Encyclopedia - Rabbinic literature

Rabbi Chaim Joseph David ben Isaac Zerachia Azulai (1724, 21 March 1807), commonly known as the Chida (by the acronym of his name), was a rabbinical scholar and a noted bibliophile, who pioneered the history of Jewish religious writings. Chaim Joseph David Azulai - Biography. He was born in Jerusalem, where he received his education from some local prominent scholars, including Chaim ibn Attar (the Or ha-Chaim). At an early age he showed proficiency in Talmud, Kabbalah and Jewish histor ...

Including:

• Chaim Joseph David Azulai - Biography
• Chaim Joseph David Azulai - His works
• Chaim Joseph David Azulai - External link

Read more here: » Chaim Joseph David Azulai: Encyclopedia - Chaim Joseph David Azulai

Chaim Volozhin (or Chaim Volozhiner or Chaim of Volozhin) (1749-1821) was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, Talmudist, and ethicist. Popularly known as Reb Chaim Volozhiner, or simply Reb Chaim, he was born in Vałožyn, near Vilnia, Lithuania and died there. One of the most prominent disciples of the Vilna Gaon, Reb Chaim Volozhiner established the Volozhin yeshiva. It was in operation for nearly 100 years (1803-1892), becoming the "mother of all Lithuanian-style yeshivas". He continued to teach the Vilna G ...

Read more here: » Chaim Volozhin: Encyclopedia - Chaim Volozhin

Yehuda Ashlag (1884—1954) the great Kabbalist who lived in Jerusalem from 1922 until his death in 1954, received the name Baal HaSulam (The Master of the Ladder) for his Sulam commentary on The Zohar. He advanced while writing the commentaries, and published his primary work, Talmud Eser Sefirot (The Study of the Ten Sefirot), which is considered the predominant Kabbalistic study text for our generation. He worked as an Orthodox rabbi, and was born in Warsaw, Poland, to a family of scholars connected to t ...

Including:

• Yehuda Ashlag - Biography
• Yehuda Ashlag - Poland
• Yehuda Ashlag - Israel
• Yehuda Ashlag - Books
• Yehuda Ashlag - Teachings
• Yehuda Ashlag - Music
• Yehuda Ashlag - Philip Berg
• Yehuda Ashlag - Baruch Ashlag
• Yehuda Ashlag - Michael Laitman
• Yehuda Ashlag - Ashlag's sons
• Yehuda Ashlag - Ashlag's students direct and indirect
• Yehuda Ashlag - Ashlag's books
• Yehuda Ashlag - Ashlag's articles
• Yehuda Ashlag - Ashlag's followers today

Read more here: » Yehuda Ashlag: Encyclopedia - Yehuda Ashlag

Chabad Lubavitch, or Lubavich, is one of the largest branches of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi . It is one of the largest Jewish Orthodox organizations worldwide, especially in the United States and Israel. It is also known simply as Chabad (חבד) a Hebrew acronym for "חכמה Wisdom- בינה Understanding- דעת Knowledge", or as Lubavitch (ליובאוויטש), the town that served as the movement's headquarters for over a centur ...

Including:

• Chabad-Lubavitch - Early origins
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Origin of name
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Chabad
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Lubavitch
• Chabad-Lubavitch - History of the movement
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Chabad today
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Emissaries
• Chabad-Lubavitch - The Chabad House
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Mitzvot campaigns
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Outreach activities
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Customs of Chabad
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Influence on the Jewish world
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Controversies
• Chabad-Lubavitch - History of controversy
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Controversy during the seventh Rebbe's life
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Relationship between God the Rebbe and his followers
• Chabad-Lubavitch - Various forms of messianism
• Chabad-Lubavitch - References and further reading

Read more here: » Chabad-Lubavitch: Encyclopedia - Chabad-Lubavitch

The history of Abraham ben Abraham, also known as Count Valentine (Valentin, Walentyn) Potocki (Pototzki or Pototski) is a controversial subject. According to traditional Jews of the time and since then, he is regarded as someone known even to the revered Jewish Talmudic sage known as the Vilna Gaon (Rabbi Elijah (Eliyahu) Ben Solomon Kremer (1720-1797)). On the other hand, secular historians have questioned its factual accuracy because they claim that no other corroborating evidence of Potocki's existence has yet been discover ...

Including:

• Abraham ben Abraham - Background
• Abraham ben Abraham - Historical evidence
• Abraham ben Abraham - Jewish tradition
• Abraham ben Abraham - Response to criticism
• Abraham ben Abraham - Historical background

Read more here: » Abraham ben Abraham: Encyclopedia - Abraham ben Abraham