On this day of Tzadik Yesod Olam, each of these tzadikim are special in their own way and all come from completely different backgrounds.
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Rabbeinu Sa'adia Gaon (942)
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Ramchal, R' Moshe Chaim Luzzato ben R' Yaakov Chai (1747), wrote many seforim, including Mesilas Yeshorom, Derech Hashem and Daas Tevunos. Died at age 39, which the Magid of Mezerich said was because the generation was not worthy of such a great tzadik. The Vilna Gaon said he did not find one extra word in the first 8 chapters of Mesilas Yesorim and that if he were still alive he would walk from Vilna to Italy to learn from him.
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R' Yitzchok ben R' Chaim of Volozhin
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R' Shlomo ben R' Mordechai of Zvhil (1945) See story above.
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R' Shmuel Eliyahu of Zvolin, son of R' Yecheskel of Kuzmir and father of the first Modzhiter Rebbe (Thanks to Heichal HaNegina )
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R' Yitzchok Issac Epstein of Homil (1857), better known as R' Aizel Homiler. He was a talmid of the first 3 Lubavitcher Rebbes, and author of Chanah Ariel and Maamar Shnei Hameoros. He was among the greatest Lubavitcher Chassidim. Many wanted him to become Rebbe, after the passing of the Mitteler Rebbe, but he declined and became a chosid of the much younger TzemachTzedek.
