Czech Republic – The post has issued a new stamp to mark 400 years since the death of Rabbi Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel, also known as the Maharal of Prague, who according to legend created a man out of clay.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The Maharal was an important rabbi in Prague in the 16th and early 17th centuries. He best known for the legend of the “Golem,” in which he is said to have created from clay a living being that had superhuman powers and that was used to defend the Jews of the Prague Ghetto.
Still today, many believe that the body of the Golem is trapped in the attic of Prague’s “Alt Noi Shul” synagogue.
The Maharal served as an admired teacher during a difficult time for Jews ? shortly after Spanish Inquisition, the Protestant reformation movement and other major social changes.
He is buried in the Jewish cemetery in the Prague old city, and his grave serves as a place of pilgrimage to many Jews every year.
Neighboring Slovakia has also recently paid respect to its Jewish past, having issued a stamp to commemorate the Chasam Sofer, a leading rabbi in the capital Bratislava in the first half of the century.
This shows that the real “Gdolim” are respected by ALL mankind
he is best renowen by the meny sforim he was mechaber
Funny: Most people think those who work for the Post Office move like a “golem”.
he made a man out of clay? i did not learn this in school
There is no historical truth whatsoever to the myth and false tale that the Maharal created a Golem. The Jews were not suffering from persecutions in the times of the Maharal and there was no need for a Golem. This is a fictional tale and it is embarrasing that people actually believe it.
i was privileged to visit prague about 6 weeks ago and daven at the grave of the maharal. i also visited his synagogue and saw the chair he sat upon at the front of the alt noi schul.
despite what people say, at least in the year 5769 there is no obvious attic in the synagogue.
The story began 90 years ago by some fiction writer by the name of rosenberg
to # 5
The jews all over Europe suffered from persecutions in the times oh Maharal. And I think you’re the only one who thinks this is a fictional tale. I guess you’re embarrased for the Jews for believing in Kriyas Yam Suf also.
when the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch was in Prague he visited the ‘alt noi Shull’ and the resting place of the golem
his father the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch was very nerves and was saying tehilim for him the whole time
not sure of the date but i do know this is true
it is refrenced in the rebbes sichos
I was under the impression that the Maharal created only one Golem. From the posts I read here, it seems that he made many Golems.