Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (; also ''Moses Chaim'', ''Moise Vita'', ''Moses Hayyim'' or ''Luzzato''; 1707 – 16 May 1746), also known by the Hebrew

acronym An acronym is a type of abbreviation consisting of a phrase whose only pronounced elements are the initial letters or initial sounds of words inside that phrase. Acronyms are often spelled with the initial Letter (alphabet), letter of each wor ...

RaMCHaL (or RaMHaL; ), was an Italian Jewish

rabbi A rabbi (; ) is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as ''semikha''—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of t ...

, kabbalist, and

philosopher Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...

Biography

Early life

Moshe Chaim Luzzatto was born in 1707 in the Jewish ghetto of

Padua Padua ( ) is a city and ''comune'' (municipality) in Veneto, northern Italy, and the capital of the province of Padua. The city lies on the banks of the river Bacchiglione, west of Venice and southeast of Vicenza, and has a population of 20 ...

Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenissima, was a sovereign state and Maritime republics, maritime republic with its capital in Venice. Founded, according to tradition, in 697 ...

. The son of Jacob Vita and Diamente Luzzatto, he received classical Jewish and

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

education, showing a predilection for literature at a very early age. He may have attended the

University of Padua The University of Padua (, UNIPD) is an Italian public research university in Padua, Italy. It was founded in 1222 by a group of students and teachers from the University of Bologna, who previously settled in Vicenza; thus, it is the second-oldest ...

and certainly associated with a group of students there, known to dabble in mysticism and

alchemy Alchemy (from the Arabic word , ) is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that was historically practised in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe. In its Western form, alchemy is first ...

. With his vast knowledge in religious lore, the arts, and science, he quickly became the dominant figure in that group. His writings demonstrate mastery of the

Tanakh The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh (;"Tanach"
. ''

Talmud The Talmud (; ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (''halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of Haskalah#Effects, modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the cen ...

, the rabbinical commentaries and codes of Jewish law and

Kabbalah Kabbalah or Qabalah ( ; , ; ) is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. It forms the foundation of Mysticism, mystical religious interpretations within Judaism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ...

Poetry and literature

At an early age, he began a thorough study of the Hebrew language and of poetic composition. He wrote

epithalamia An epithalamium (; Latin form of Greek ἐπιθαλάμιον ''epithalamion'' from ἐπί ''epi'' "upon," and θάλαμος ''thalamos'' "nuptial chamber") is a poem written specifically for the bride on the way to her marital chamber. This fo ...

and

elegies An elegy is a poem of serious reflection, and in English literature usually a lament for the dead. However, according to ''The Oxford Handbook of the Elegy'', "for all of its pervasiveness ... the 'elegy' remains remarkably ill defined: sometime ...

, a noteworthy example of the latter being the dirge on the death of his teacher Cantarini, a lofty poem of twenty-four verses written in classical Hebrew. Before age 20, he had begun his composition of 150 hymns modeled on the biblical Psalter. In these psalms, composed in conformity with the laws of parallelism, he freed himself from all foreign influences, imitating the style of the Bible so faithfully that his poems seem entirely a renaissance of biblical words and thoughts. They provoked the criticism of the rabbis, however, and were one of the causes of the persecutions to which Luzzatto was later subjected. R. Jacob Poppers of Frankfurt-on-the-Main thought it unpardonable presumption to attempt to equal the "anointed of the God of Jacob". Only two psalms are known of which it can with certainty be said that they belonged to Luzzatto's psalter; in addition seven hymns by him which were sung at the inauguration of the enlarged Spanish synagogue at Padua appeared in the work "Ḥanukkat ha-Maron" (Venice, 1729); but it is not certain whether they were taken from the psalter. As a youth Luzzatto essayed also dramatic poetry, writing at the age of 17 his first biblical drama, "Shimshon u-Felistim", (of which only fragments have been preserved, in another work of his). This youthful production foreshadows the coming master; it is perfect in versification, simple in language, original and thoughtful in substance. This first large work was followed by the "Leshon Limmudim", a discussion of Hebrew style with a new theory of Hebrew versification, in which the author showed his thorough knowledge of classical rhetoric. It is in a certain sense a scientific demonstration of the neoclassic Italian style, in contrast with the medieval. There is a vast difference between Luzzatto's style, which recalls the simplicity, smoothness, and vigor of the Bible, and the insipid, exaggerated, and affected work of his contemporaries. The book, dedicated to his teacher Bassani, was printed at Mantua 1727, with a text which deviates from the manuscript formerly in the possession of M. S. Ghirondi. In the same year or somewhat later, Luzzatto wrote his allegorical festival drama "Migdal 'Oz" (or "Tummat Yesharim"), on the occasion of the marriage of his friend Israel Benjamin Bassani. This four-act play, which shows Latin and Italian as well as biblical influence, illustrates the victory of justice over iniquity. It is masterly in versification and melodious in language, the lyrical passages being especially lofty; and it has a wealth of pleasing imagery reminiscent of Guarini's "Pastor Fido". The drama was edited by M. Letteris, and published with notes by S. D. Luzzatto and prolegomena by Franz Delitzsch, Leipsic, 1837.

Controversy

The turning point in Luzzatto's life came at the age of twenty, when he claimed to have received direct instruction from an angel (known as a ''

maggid A maggid (), also spelled as magid, is a traditional Jewish religious itinerant preacher, skilled as a narrator of Torah and religious stories. A chaplain of the more scholarly sort is called a ''Darshan (Judaism), darshan'' (). The title of ''m ...

''). While stories of such encounters with celestial entities were not unknown in kabbalistic circles, it was unheard of for someone of such a young age. His peers were enthralled by his written accounts of these "Divine lessons", but the leading Italian rabbinical authorities were highly suspicious and threatened to excommunicate him. Just decades earlier another young mystic,

Sabbatai Zevi Sabbatai Zevi (, August 1, 1626 – ) was an Ottoman Jewish mystic and ordained rabbi from Smyrna (now İzmir, Turkey). His family were Romaniote Jews from Patras. His two names, ''Shabbethay'' and ''Ṣebi'', mean Saturn and mountain gazelle, ...

(1626–1676), had rocked the Jewish world by claiming to be the

Messiah In Abrahamic religions, a messiah or messias (; , ; , ; ) is a saviour or liberator of a group of people. The concepts of '' mashiach'', messianism, and of a Messianic Age originated in Judaism, and in the Hebrew Bible, in which a ''mashiach ...

. Although, at one point, Zevi had convinced many European and

Middle Eastern The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...

rabbis of his claim, the episode ended with him recanting and converting to

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

. The global Jewish community was still reeling from that, and the similarities between Luzzatto's writings and Zevi's were perceived as being particularly dangerous and heretical. In some of his revelations Luzzato even described

Moses In Abrahamic religions, Moses was the Hebrews, Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites out of slavery in the The Exodus, Exodus from ancient Egypt, Egypt. He is considered the most important Prophets in Judaism, prophet in Judaism and Samaritani ...

Abraham Abraham (originally Abram) is the common Hebrews, Hebrew Patriarchs (Bible), patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is the founding father who began the Covenant (biblical), covenanta ...

and

Elijah Elijah ( ) or Elias was a prophet and miracle worker who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab (9th century BC), according to the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah defended the worsh ...

introducing themselves to him and calling him "my mentor", this infuriated many rabbis, especially Moshe Hagiz, who considered his writings heretical and ordered the burning of all his writings. Other rumors were spread that Luzzato had authored a new book of Psalms that was meant to supplant the Davidic Psalms in the messianic age, a claim which Luzzato and his mentor Yeshayahu Basan vigorously denied. These writings, only some of which have survived, are often misunderstood to describe a belief that Luzzatto and his followers were key figures in a messianic drama that was about to take place. In this contentious interpretation, he identified one of his followers as the Messiah, son of

David David (; , "beloved one") was a king of ancient Israel and Judah and the third king of the United Monarchy, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament. The Tel Dan stele, an Aramaic-inscribed stone erected by a king of Aram-Dam ...

, and assumed for himself the role of Moses, claiming that he was that biblical figure's reincarnation.

Departure from Italy

After threats of

excommunication Excommunication is an institutional act of religious censure used to deprive, suspend, or limit membership in a religious community or to restrict certain rights within it, in particular those of being in Koinonia, communion with other members o ...

and many arguments, Luzzatto finally came to an understanding with the leading Italian rabbis, including his decision not to write the ''maggid'' lessons or teach mysticism and hand over all his writings to his mentor Yeshayahu Basan. In 1735, Luzzatto left

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

for

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , ; ; ) is the capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, largest city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the City Re ...

, believing that in the more liberal environment there, he would be able to pursue his mystical interests. Passing through

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

, he appealed to the local rabbinical authorities to protect him from the threats of the Italian rabbis. They refused and forced him to sign a document stating that all the teachings of the ''maggid'' were false. But the controversy was not entirely over yet. Rumors were spread that Luzzato's mentor Yeshayahu Basan sympathized with his pupil and even sent him back some of his writings to publish. This caused a major uproar and many heated letters passed between Moshe Hagiz and Yaakov Poppers and Basan threatening to undermine the latter's authority if he did not hand over the box with Luzzato's writings to the rabbis of Venice. In one letter, Moshe Hagiz, Luzzato's staunchest opponent, calls Luzzato a wretched renegade who betrayed his religion, and lost his portion in the

world to come The world to come, age to come, heaven on Earth, and the Kingdom of God are eschatology, eschatological phrases reflecting the belief that the World (theology), current world or Dispensation (period), current age is flawed or cursed and will be r ...

, calling and urging for the burning of all his writings. Basan was forced to hand over Luzzato's writings to Poppers which he subsequently buried deep in the ground and burnt some of the writings he deemed heretical.

Amsterdam

When Luzzatto finally reached Amsterdam, he was able to pursue his

studies relatively unhindered. Earning a living as a diamond cutter, he continued writing but refused to teach. It was in this period that he wrote his ''

magnum opus A masterpiece, , or ; ; ) is a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or a work of outstanding creativity, skill, profundity, or workmanship. Historically, ...

'' the '' Mesillat Yesharim'' (1740), essentially an ethical treatise but with certain mystical underpinnings. The book presents a step-by-step process by which every person can overcome the inclination to sin and might eventually experience a divine inspiration similar to prophecy. Another prominent work, '' Derekh Hashem'' (The Way of God) is a concise work on the core theology of Judaism. The same concepts are discussed in brief in a smaller book called ''Maamar HaIkarim'' (the English translation of this book is now available on the Web with the title "Essay on Fundamentals"). ''

Da'at Tevunot In the branch of Judaism, Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah, Daʻat or Da'ath (, in pausa: ', ) is the location (the mystical state) where all ten ''sefirot'' in the Tree of life (Kabbalah), Tree of Life are united as one. In Daʻat, all ''s ...

'' ("The Knowing Heart") also found its existence in Amsterdam as the missing link between rationality and Kabbalah, a dialogue between the intellect and the soul. On the other hand, '' Derech Tevunot'' ("The Way of Understanding") introduces the logic which structures Talmudic debates as a means to understanding the world. One major rabbinic contemporary who praised Luzzatto's writing was Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, the

Vilna Gaon Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, ( ''Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman''), also known as the Vilna Gaon ( ''Der Vilner Goen''; ; or Elijah of Vilna, or by his Hebrew acronym Gr"a ("Gaon Rabbenu Eliyahu": "Our great teacher Elijah"; Sialiec, April 23, 172 ...

(1720–1797), who was considered to be the most authoritative

Torah The Torah ( , "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Torah is also known as the Pentateuch () ...

sage of the modern era as well as a great kabbalist himself. He was reputed to have said after reading the ''Mesillat Yesharim'', that were Luzzatto still alive, he would have walked from Vilna to learn at Luzzatto's feet. He stated that having read the work, the first ten chapters contained not a superfluous word. Luzzatto also wrote poetry and drama. Although most of it is seemingly secular, some scholars claim to have identified mystical undertones in this body of work as well. His writing is strongly influenced by the Jewish poets of

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

and by contemporary Italian authors. The cantor of the Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam, Abraham Caceres, worked with Luzzatto to set several of his poems to music.

Acre, Israel

Frustrated by his inability to teach

, Luzzatto left

for the

Holy Land The term "Holy Land" is used to collectively denote areas of the Southern Levant that hold great significance in the Abrahamic religions, primarily because of their association with people and events featured in the Bible. It is traditionall ...

in 1743, settling in

Acre The acre ( ) is a Unit of measurement, unit of land area used in the Imperial units, British imperial and the United States customary units#Area, United States customary systems. It is traditionally defined as the area of one Chain (unit), ch ...

. Three years later, he and his family died in a plague.

Legacy

Burial site

The site of his tomb is unknown. A third-hand account claims his burial place to be near the Talmudic sage

Rabbi Akiva Akiva ben Joseph (Mishnaic Hebrew: ; – 28 September 135 CE), also known as Rabbi Akiva (), was a leading Jewish scholar and sage, a '' tanna'' of the latter part of the first century and the beginning of the second. Rabbi Akiva was a leadin ...

Tiberias Tiberias ( ; , ; ) is a city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. A major Jewish center during Late Antiquity, it has been considered since the 16th century one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Heb ...

, northern Israel. Other scholars claim to have identified his tomb in the jewish cemetary of Kafr Yasif. It is noteworthy that many rabbis have made some comparison between the Ramchal and Rabbi Akiva, both during and after his life. Some have gone as far as to claim that the Ramchal was a reincarnation of Rabbi Akiva. The Tiberias site has many more amenities than the Kafr Yassif grave, with an attached synagogue and tourist shops, making it far more popular.

Synagogue in Acre

Luzzato's original

synagogue A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...

Akko Acre ( ), known in Hebrew as Akko (, ) and in Arabic as Akka (, ), is a city in the coastal plain region of the Northern District of Israel. The city occupies a strategic location, sitting in a natural harbour at the extremity of Haifa Bay on ...

was razed by the city's

Bedouin The Bedouin, Beduin, or Bedu ( ; , singular ) are pastorally nomadic Arab tribes who have historically inhabited the desert regions in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Levant, and Mesopotamia (Iraq). The Bedouin originated in the Sy ...

ruler,

Zahir al-Umar Zahir al-Umar al-Zaydani, alternatively spelled Dhaher el-OmarDAAHL Site Rec ...

, in 1758, who built a mosque on top of it. In its place, the Jews of Akko received a small building north of the mosque which still functions as a synagogue and bears Luzzato's name.

Religious writings

A century after his death, Luzzatto was rediscovered by the Musar movement, which adopted his ethical works. It was the great Torah ethicist,

Israel Salanter Yisrael ben Ze'ev Wolf Lipkin, also known as "Israel Salanter" or "Yisroel Salanter" (November 3, 1809 – February 2, 1883), was the father of the Musar movement in Orthodox Judaism and a famed Rosh yeshiva and Talmudist. The epithet ''Salante ...

(1810–1883), who placed the ''Messilat Yesharim'' at the heart of the '' Musar'' (ethics) curriculum of the major

yeshiva A yeshiva (; ; pl. , or ) is a traditional Jewish educational institution focused on the study of Rabbinic literature, primarily the Talmud and halacha (Jewish law), while Torah and Jewish philosophy are studied in parallel. The stu ...

s of

Eastern Europe Eastern Europe is a subregion of the Europe, European continent. As a largely ambiguous term, it has a wide range of geopolitical, geographical, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic connotations. Its eastern boundary is marked by the Ural Mountain ...

. ''

Derech Hashem ''Derech HaShem'' (The "Way of Names of God in Judaism#HaShem, the Name") is a philosophy, philosophical text written around 1736 by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Principles One of its core assertions is that man was created for the purpose of ...

'', Luzzato's treatise on Jewish theology, eventually came to be considered as an authoritative guide of Jewish theology. The work is a compilation of authoritative opinions found in Talmudic sources. Most of his writings were burned, though some did survive. From the

Zohar The ''Zohar'' (, ''Zōhar'', lit. "Splendor" or "Radiance") is a foundational work of Kabbalistic literature. It is a group of books including commentary on the mystical aspects of the Torah and scriptural interpretations as well as material o ...

ic writings, the 70 ''Tikkunim Hadashim'' reappeared in 1958 against all odds, in the main library of Oxford. "Arrangements" of thoughts, these ''Tikkunim'' explicate 70 different essential uses of the last verse of the '' Humash'' (the five books of Moses). Supposedly taught word-by-word in

Aramaic Aramaic (; ) is a Northwest Semitic language that originated in the ancient region of Syria and quickly spread to Mesopotamia, the southern Levant, Sinai, southeastern Anatolia, and Eastern Arabia, where it has been continually written a ...

by Luzzatto's "Maggid", they parallel the '' Tikunei haZohar'' ("Rectifications of the Zohar"), ascribed by some to Rabbi

Simeon bar Yochai Shimon bar Yochai (Zohar#Language, Zoharic Aramaic: , ''Šimʿon bar Yoḥay'') or Shimon ben Yochai (Mishnaic Hebrew: ), also known by the acronym Rashbi, was a 2nd-century tannaim, tanna or sage of the period of Judaea (Roman province), Roman ...

, the ''Rashbi'', which describe the 70 fundamental understandings of the first verse of the ''Humash'' (Books of Moses).

Secular literary legacy

The

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

writers of the

Haskalah The ''Haskalah'' (; literally, "wisdom", "erudition" or "education"), often termed the Jewish Enlightenment, was an intellectual movement among the Jews of Central Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, with a certain influence on those in Wester ...

, the Jewish expression of

the Enlightenment The Age of Enlightenment (also the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment) was a European intellectual and philosophical movement active from the late 17th to early 19th century. Chiefly valuing knowledge gained through rationalism and empirici ...

, greatly admired Luzatto's secular writings and deemed him the founder of modern Hebrew literature. His cousin, the poet Ephraim Luzzatto (1729–1792), also exerted genuine influence on the first stirrings of modern Hebrew poetry.

Bibliography

Following are a selection of other books written by RaMChaL: * ''Ma'aseh Shimshon'' ("The Story of Samson") * ''Lashon Limudim'' ("A Tongue for Teaching") * ''Migdal Oz'' ("A Tower of Strength") * ''Zohar Kohelet'' ("The Zohar to the Book of Ecclesiastes") * ''Shivim Tikkunim'' ("Seventy Tikkunim") which parallels the seventy Tikkunei Zohar * ''Zohar Tinyanah'' ("A Second Zohar") no longer exists * ''Klallot Haillan'' or Klalut Hailan ("The Principal Elements of The Tree f Life) a synopsis of the ARI's basic work of Kabbalah * ''Ma'amar HaShem'' ("A Discourse on God") * ''Ma'amar HaMerkava'' ("A Discourse on The Chariot") * ''Ma'amar Shem Mem-Bet'' ("A Discourse on the 42 letter Name

f God F, or f, is the sixth letter of the Latin alphabet and many modern alphabets influenced by it, including the modern English alphabet and the alphabets of all other modern western European languages. Its name in English is ''ef'' (pronounc ...

) * ''Ma'amar HaDin'' ("A Discourse on ivineJudgment") * ''Ma'amar HaChochma'' or Maamar Ha'hokhma ("A Discourse on Wisdom") focuses on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover from a Kabbalistic perspective * ''Ma'amar HaGeulah'' ("A Discourse on The Redemption" or "The Great Redemption") * ''Ma'amar HaNevuah'' ("A Discourse on

Prophecy In religion, mythology, and fiction, a prophecy is a message that has been communicated to a person (typically called a ''prophet'') by a supernatural entity. Prophecies are a feature of many cultures and belief systems and usually contain di ...

") * ''Mishkanei Elyon'' or Mishkane 'Elyon ("Exalted Towers") a Kabbalistic understanding of the Holy Temple with a depiction of the third Temple's dimensions * ''Ain Yisrael'' ("The Well of Israel") * ''Ain Yaakov'' ("The Well of Jacob") * ''Milchamot HaShem'' ("The Wars of God") which defends Kabbalah against its detractors * ''Kinnaot HaShem Tzivakot'' or Kinat H' Tsevaot ("Ardent efensesfor The L-rd of Hosts") offers details about the redemption and the Messiah. * ''Adir Bamarom'' (" od isMighty on High") a commentary on the ''Iddrah Rabbah'' ("The Great Threshing Room") section of the Zohar * ''Iggrot Pitchei Chochma v'Da'at'' or Klale Pit'he 'Hokhma Veda'at ("Letters

o Serve O, or o, is the fifteenth letter and the fourth vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''o'' (pronounced ), ...

as an Opening to Wisdom and Knowledge") spells out and explains certain erudite principles of the Jewish faith according to the Kabbalah * ''Sefer Daniel'' ("The Book of Daniel"), an esoteric commentary to this biblical work * ''Tiktu Tephilot'' ("515 Prayers") focuses on prayers for the revelation of God's sovereignty * ''Kitzur Kavvanot'' ("Abbreviated Intentions") allows the reader an overview of the ARI's recorded prayer-intentions * ''Ma'amar HaVechuach'' ("A Discourse

hat serves as A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mechan ...

The Argument") pits a Kabbalist against a rationalist as each tries to defend his way of thinking * ''Klach Pitchei Chochma'' or Kala'h Pitkhe 'Hokhma ("138 Openings to Wisdom") one of Ramchal's most important works in that it lays out his thinking about the symbolic nature of the Ari's writings and Ramchal's own explanations of those symbols * ''Areichat Klallot HaEilan'' ("A Dictionary of The Principal Elements to The Tree f Life) * ''Klallim'' ("Principal Elements") a series of short and pithy presentations of the main principles of the Kabbalistic system said outright * ''Da'at Tevunot'' or Da'ath Tevunoth ("The Knowing Heart" or "Knowing the Reasons"), a work that explains the duality of positive and negative that exists on all levels of reality, that this is the basis of God's "showing his face/hiding his face" to and from humanity, and the dual existence of good and evil * ''Peirush al Midrash Rabbah'' ("A Commentary on Midrash Rabbah") that is not Kabbalistic so much as symbolic * ''

'' or ''Derekh HaShem'' ("The Way of God") one of his best known works: a succinct laying-out of the fundamentals of the Jewish faith touching upon mankind's obligations in this world and its relations to God * ''Ma'amar al HaAggadot'' ("A Discourse on Aggadah") which is an explanation that Aggadic literature is not literal but metaphoric * ''Ma'amar HaIkkurim'' or Maamar Ha'ikarim ("A Discourse on the Fundamentals") a short and succinct laying-out of the fundamentals of the Jewish religion like "The Way of God" that touches upon certain other themes * ''Derech Chochma'' or Sepher Derekh 'Hokhma ("The Way of Wisdom"), which serves as a dialogue between a young person and a sage with the latter setting out a lifetime course of Torah study culminating in the study of Kabbalah * ''Vichuach HaChocham V'HaChassid'' ("The Argument between the Sage and the Pious Man") which is actually a first draft of ''Messilat Yesharim'' that only resurfaced recently * '' Messilat Yesharim'' or Mesilat Yesharim ("The Path of the Just"), his most famous work that enables its readers to grow in piety step by step, was written when he was 33 (in 1740) * ''Sefer HaDikduk'' ("The Book of Grammar") * ''Sefer HaHigayon'' ("The Book of Logic") lays out the correct way to think and analyze * ''Ma'amar al HaDrasha'' ("A Discourse on Homilies") encourages the study of Kabbalah and Mussar * ''Sefer Hamalitza'' ("The Book of Style") offers the art of accurate writing and expression * ''Derech Tevunot'' ("The Way of Understanding") explains the Talmudic way of thinking * ''LaYesharim Tehilla'' ("Praise be to the Upright") is a dramatic work

References

External links

The official Ramchal site texts - Videos

Ramchal books

Current classes on RAMCHAL on the Internet

His legacy and Derech Hashem

Beit Ramhal, continuing his legacy

The Kabbalah of the Ari za"l according to the Ram`hal

Excerpt of Derech Etz Chaim by the Ramchal

MESILAT YESHARIM (Path of the Just) by the Ramchal

MP3s of a class that is reading Derech HaShem ("The Way of God")

Video of Lecture on Ramhal
by Dr. Henry Abramson
″138 Openings of Wisdom by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto ("RaMChaL") - Free online version″ (www.azamra.org)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Luzzato, Moshe Chaim 1707 births 1746 deaths 18th-century Italian rabbis 18th-century Dutch Jews Moshe Chaim Rabbis from Padua Philosophers of Judaism Rabbis in Ottoman Palestine Writers of Musar literature Jewish ethicists Jewish philosophers 18th-century rabbis from the Ottoman Empire