Chaim Vital

Rabbi Chaim ben Joseph Vital was the foremost disciple of Rabbi Isaac Luria (known as the Arizal) of Safed, whose teachings he recorded and edited. They were later reedited by his son, Rabbi Samuel Vital, in the eight-volume work Shemonah Shearim (Eight Gates). He also wrote many of his own works, including commentaries, responsa, and works of practical Kabbalah.