Iyar 26

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (1707-1747), author of classic works of Jewish philosophy, known by the acronym of his name, Ramchal. He was born in Italy where he quickly became known for his vast Torah knowledge and beautiful literary style. It is said that by age 14, he already knew the entire Talmud and Midrash by heart. Ramchal's Path of the Just, which describes a step-by-step process to attaining spiritual perfection, is a classical work of Mussar (Jewish ethics) that is studied widely today. Other of Ramchal's important works include The Way of God, a systemized study of Jewish philosophy, and Da'at Tevunot, an exposition on kabbalistic concepts. Ramchal moved to Amsterdam where he worked as a diamond cutter, and later to Israel, where he perished in a plague at the age of 40. He is buried next to the famed Rebbe Akiva on a hillside in Tiberias.