Vital, Ḥayyim ben Joseph (1542–1620). Jewish kabbalist. Vital was the principal student of Isaac Luria in Safed and arranged and elaborated on his teachings. Ez ha-Ḥayyim (Tree of life) is a record of these teachings, and this was re-edited by his son and circulated under the title Shemonah Sheʿarim (Eight Gates). Vital also produced an autobiography (Sefer ha-Hezyonot, Book of Visions), commentaries on the Talmud, volumes of sermons, a commentary on the Zohar, and various halakhic responsa. As the chief formulator of the Lurianic kabbalah, he was an important influence on the development of later Jewish mysticism.

Ḥayyim Vital (Jewish kabbalist): see VITAL, ḤAYYIM.