Years: 1542–1620
Primary city: Safed
Rabbi Chaim Vital was the primary disciple of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the Arizal) in Tzfat and the foremost recorder of his kabbalistic teachings. He studied under Rabbi Moshe Alshich in his youth and was recognized by Rabbi Yosef Karo. After the Arizal's passing, he became a leading kabbalist in Tzfat and later relocated to Damascus, where he served as a rabbinic authority until his death.