Rabbi Chaim ben Yosef Vital (1543 in
Safed-
23 April 1620 in
Damascus) was one of the most famous exponents of
Kabbalah.As a young boy, Rabbi Chaim Vital was educated by the scholar, Rabbi
Moses Alshech. Other than that, most of his early life is full of legends. For instance, it is claimed that at the age of twelve, he was told by a
chiromancer that when he reached the age of twenty-four, he would find himself standing before two roads, and would rise or fall according to his choice. Rabbi
Joseph Caro is said to have paid especial attention to Rabbi Chaim Vital's early talents and in 1557 requested that Alshech take special care in his education as he was destined to succeed his teacher in the world of learning. That same year, Rabbi Chaim Vital first became acquainted with the kabbalist Rabbi Lapidot Ashkenazi, who would have a lasting influence on him.
See more at Wikipedia.org...