Rabbi Elijah of Vilna, also known as the Vilna Gaon, was a prominent Jewish scholar and leader in the 18th century. Born in 1720 in Vilnius, Lithuania, he became renowned for his deep knowledge of Talmud, Kabbalah, and Jewish law. His teachings emphasized the importance of studying texts and adhering to traditional practices. The Vilna Gaon was influential in the development of Hasidism and Mitnagdim, the latter being a movement that opposed Hasidic practices. He authored numerous works, including commentaries on the Tanakh and Talmud, which are still studied today. Rabbi Elijah passed away in 1797, leaving a lasting legacy in Jewish scholarship.