Hillel Rivlin

Hillel Rivlin of Shklov (1758-1838) was a close disciple of the Vilna Gaon, he and some other pupils of the Vilna Gaon are credited with having revitalized the Ashkenazi community in Palestine during their era. He was also the author of the esoteric text known as Kol HaTor, that describes the 999 footsteps of the Messiah's arrival. He is also considered one of the patriarchs of the Rivlin family.