Elijah of Vilna, also known as the Vilna Gaon, was an influential Jewish scholar and leader in the 18th century. Born in 1720 in Vilnius, Lithuania, he was renowned for his exceptional knowledge of Jewish texts, including the Talmud and Kabbalah. His teachings emphasized a return to traditional Jewish practices and a deep understanding of religious texts. Elijah was a key figure in the Haskalah, or Jewish Enlightenment, advocating for education and intellectual engagement. He opposed the rise of Hasidism, a mystical movement, believing it strayed from traditional Jewish law. His legacy continues to impact Jewish thought and scholarship today.