Rabbi Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel • The Maharal • Rabbi Loew
The Maharal of Prague
Era of the AcharonimThe Maharal of Prague — Rabbi Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel (c. 1520–1609) — was one of the most prominent Jewish sages at the dawn of the modern era: a rabbi, a decisor, a philosopher, and a thinker. He was born in Poznań, Poland, and served as av beit din and rosh yeshivah in Poznań,…
Biography
The Maharal of Prague — Rabbi Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel (c. 1520–1609) — was one of the most prominent Jewish sages at the dawn of the modern era: a rabbi, a decisor, a philosopher, and a thinker. He was born in Poznań, Poland, and served as av beit din and rosh yeshivah in Poznań, Nikolsburg (Moravia), and Prague (Bohemia). He is considered a bridge between medieval thought and Renaissance thought, in a period when Kabbalah flourished in the Land of Israel. He was renowned for his vast knowledge of the Talmud, of midrashic aggadah, of Kabbalah, of Aristotelian philosophy, and of the sciences. He composed profound works of Jewish thought — chief among them Tiferet Yisrael, Netzach Yisrael, Netivot Olam, Gur Aryeh, Gevurot HaShem, Be'er HaGolah, and Derech Chaim — which are a foundation of Jewish thought and education for the generations. He is known for the legend of the Golem, which he created, according to tradition, to defend the Jews of Prague from blood libels. He died in Prague on 18 Elul 5369 (1609), and was buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in the city.
Life Story
Childhood
He was born in Poznań, Poland, around 1520, to a family of Torah scholars. His father, Rabbi Bezalel, was one of the sages of Poznań. He grew up in the flourishing Jewish community of Poznań, and in his youth studied Torah under the sages of the city.
Teachers
He studied under the sages of Poznań and Poland, among them Rabbi Yaakov of Polin-Mezeritch and Rabbi Yitzchak of Klausenburg. From his teachers he received the foundations of Ashkenazi learning, halacha, and thought. He later delved into Aristotelian philosophy, astronomy, and the sciences, and thus became a comprehensive and multifaceted scholar.
Students
He raised many disciples, chief among them Rabbi Yom-Tov Lipmann Heller (the author of Tosafot Yom-Tov), Rabbi David Gans (the historian and author of Tzemach David), Rabbi Eliyahu Loanz, and Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim of Luntschitz (the author of Kli Yakar). His disciples continued his path in Torah, thought, and leadership, and spread his teachings throughout Israel.
Family
His son was Rabbi Bezalel ben Yehuda, and his daughter married Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, one of the sages of Prague. His family was among the prominent families of the Jewish community of Prague. His brother was Rabbi Chaim, and his nephew was Rabbi Yitzchak, both sages of the generation.
Key Events
He served as av beit din and rosh yeshivah in Poznań, in Nikolsburg (Moravia), and in Prague (Bohemia). In 1553 he was appointed rabbi of Nikolsburg, and in 1561 he moved to Prague and stood at the head of its yeshivah. In 1573 he moved to Poznań, and in 1584 he returned to Prague. In 1592 he met with Emperor Rudolf II, a meeting that entered into legend. In his lifetime he composed profound works of Jewish thought, among them Tiferet Yisrael, Netzach Yisrael, Netivot Olam, Gur Aryeh, Gevurot HaShem, Be'er HaGolah, and Derech Chaim.
Miracles
According to tradition, the Maharal created the Golem from clay and brought it to life with the explicit Name, in order to defend the Jews of Prague from blood libels. When the danger passed, he turned it back to clay. This legend, though not recorded in the Maharal's own writings, became associated with his name and became one of the most famous legends in Jewish history. Some attribute the origins of the legend to his disciple and son-in-law Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen.
Influence
The influence of the Maharal is felt in every field of Torah and thought. His works of Jewish thought — chief among them Tiferet Yisrael and Netzach Yisrael — are a foundation of modern Jewish thought, and influenced the Musar movement, Zionism, and Jewish thought throughout the generations. His commentary Gur Aryeh on Rashi is a foundation of biblical exegesis. His works on aggadah — Be'er HaGolah and Derech Chaim — opened a window to understanding the aggadot of the sages in philosophical depth. His thought on the eternity of Israel and on redemption influenced generations of thinkers and leaders.
Death
He died in Prague on 18 Elul 5369 (1609), at the age of about 87. He was buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, and his tomb became a pilgrimage site. On his tombstone was written: 'Every pardes he entered in peace, and was wiser than all who finish and reason, and he left nothing...'. His memory is preserved in Israel as one of the greatest thinkers and educators of all the generations.
Writings
Gur Aryeh
16th centuryBiblical exegesis
A deep commentary on Rashi's commentary on the Torah. It reveals the secrets of Rashi's commentary in depth, and delves into the peshat and the midrash. One of the foundational works of biblical exegesis, and studied in every study hall.
Tiferet Yisrael
16th centuryThought and faith
A profound work on the Torah and the commandments, and on the excellence and splendor of Israel. It explains the secret of the giving of the Torah, the excellence of the Torah, and the holiness of Israel. One of the foundational works of Jewish thought.
Netzach Yisrael
16th centuryThought and redemption
A work on the eternity of Israel, on redemption, and on the resurrection of the dead. It stands on the principle that all redemptions came through self-sacrifice, and on the eternity of Israel despite the exile. It influenced the thought of redemption and Zionism.
Netivot Olam
16th centuryEthics and traits
A work on traits and the paths of divine service. It deals with the path of Torah, the path of avodah, the path of gemilut chasadim, the path of humility, the path of truth, and more. A foundation of the literature of musar and education.
Gevurot HaShem
16th centuryThought and festivals
A work on the book of Exodus and the exodus from Egypt, and on the mighty deeds of God revealed in Egypt. It explains the secret of the exodus and the foundations of faith, and is usually studied before Passover.
Be'er HaGolah
16th centuryThought and polemics
A work defending the Torah of Israel and the aggadot of the sages against Aristotelian philosophy and against critics. It shows that the wisdom of Israel surpasses the wisdom of the nations, and opens a window to understanding the aggadot of the sages in depth.
Derech Chaim
16th centuryEthics and aggadah exegesis
A deep commentary on Tractate Avot. It explains the sayings of the sages on traits and on the paths of divine service, and reveals the secrets of the aggadah in philosophical depth. One of the foundational works in the literature of musar.
Or Chadash
16th centuryThought and festivals
A work on the Scroll of Esther and on Purim. It explains the secret of the scroll and the miracle of Purim in depth of thought, and stands on the eternity of Israel in the face of the decrees of the enemies.
Ner Mitzvah
16th centuryThought and festivals
A work on Chanukah and on the miracle of the cruse of oil. It explains the secret of Chanukah and the excellence of the commandments in depth.
His Way and Views
Torah Study
The Maharal saw the Torah as one whole — the Written Torah and the Oral Torah, halacha and aggadah, peshat and sod — as one. His commentary Gur Aryeh on Rashi delves into the peshat and the midrash, and reveals the secrets of the Torah. He saw in every word of the Torah a generalization and specification, and in every commandment a hint to a supernal secret. His works on aggadah — Be'er HaGolah and Derech Chaim — opened a window to understanding the aggadot of the sages in philosophical depth, and made the aggadah an inseparable part of the Torah of Israel.
Halacha
He was a preeminent halachic decisor, and served as av beit din in Poznań, in Nikolsburg, and in Prague. His rulings and responsa are cited in the literature of the decisors, including in Shu"t HaMaharal. He saw in halacha the revelation of the divine will in the world, and in the fulfillment of the commandments the connection of man and the world to holiness.
Faith
The faith of the Maharal was deep and comprehensive. He believed in the holiness of Israel, in the eternity of the Torah, and in redemption. In his work Netzach Yisrael he stood on the eternity of Israel despite the exile, and on the principle that all redemptions came through self-sacrifice. In his work Be'er HaGolah he defended the Torah of Israel against Aristotelian philosophy, and showed that the wisdom of Israel surpasses the wisdom of the nations. He saw the exile and the redemption as a directed process of the repair of the world.
Ethics
The Maharal saw in the traits and in education the foundation of divine service. In his work Netivot Olam he dealt with the traits — the path of Torah, the path of avodah, the path of gemilut chasadim, the path of humility, the path of truth — and thus shaped the figure of the complete Jew. He saw in humility, truth, and acts of kindness the building blocks of the people of Israel. He demanded education in Torah and in traits from youth.
Customs
He conducted himself with holiness and abstinence, and sought to connect man to holiness in all his deeds. He saw in the commandments hints to supernal secrets, and in their fulfillment the connection of man and the world to the Shekhinah. He was scrupulous in the holiness of the Sabbath, in kashrut, and in family purity, and saw in them foundations for the holiness of Israel.
Character
He was holy, wise, and an educator. A man of humility and fear of Heaven, and a man of courage to stand for his faith before kings and emperors. He did not recoil from the disputations with philosophy and with the Christians, and stood at the head of his community with courage and humility alike.
Public Role
He was the spiritual leader of the Jews of Prague and of the Jews of Ashkenaz in his generation. He served as rabbi and av beit din in several communities, and led the sages of the generation. His meeting with Emperor Rudolf II became a legend, and testifies to his public standing. His leadership shaped the character of the Jews of Ashkenaz for generations, and influenced the Musar movement, Zionism, and Jewish thought.
Famous Quotes
"All redemptions came only through self-sacrifice"
"Every pardes he entered in peace, and was wiser than all who finish and reason, and he left nothing (his tombstone)"
"The Torah was given to Israel, and Israel are called the nation of the Torah"
Famous Stories
According to tradition, the Maharal created the Golem from clay and brought it to life with the explicit Name, in order to defend the Jews of Prague from blood libels. The Golem would rise at night and guard the community, and when the danger passed the Maharal turned it back to clay. This legend, though not recorded in the Maharal's own writings, became associated with his name and became one of the most famous legends in Jewish history. Some attribute the origins of the legend to his disciple and son-in-law Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen.
In 1592 the Maharal met with Emperor Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, at Prague Castle. According to tradition, the two spoke of matters of Torah and wisdom, and the emperor honored the Maharal. This meeting entered into legend, and testifies to the public standing of the Maharal as the spiritual leader of the Jews of Prague and as a sage whose name was known even among the authorities.
In his lifetime the Maharal composed profound works of Jewish thought, among them Tiferet Yisrael, Netzach Yisrael, Netivot Olam, Gur Aryeh, Gevurot HaShem, Be'er HaGolah, and Derech Chaim. His works were written in a deep and unique language, in which he revealed the secrets of the Torah, the aggadah, and the Kabbalah. In his works he stood on the eternity of Israel, on the holiness of the Torah, and on redemption — and thus influenced the Musar movement, Zionism, and Jewish thought throughout the generations.
Students
Teachers
Grave Site
Timeline
Birth in Poznań, Poland
Appointment as rabbi of Nikolsburg (Moravia)
Move to Prague; standing at the head of the yeshivah of Prague
Move to Poznań; rabbinate in Poland
Return to Prague
Meeting with Emperor Rudolf II in Prague
Death in Prague; burial in the Old Jewish Cemetery
Legacy
The legacy of the Maharal is felt in every field of Torah and thought. His works of Jewish thought — chief among them Tiferet Yisrael, Netzach Yisrael, Netivot Olam, Gevurot HaShem, Be'er HaGolah, and Derech Chaim — are a foundation of modern Jewish thought, and influenced the Musar movement, Zionism, and Jewish thought throughout the generations. His commentary Gur Aryeh on Rashi is a foundation of biblical exegesis. His works on aggadah opened a window to understanding the aggadot of the sages in philosophical depth, and made the aggadah an inseparable part of the Torah of Israel. His thought on the eternity of Israel and on redemption — chief among them the saying 'All redemptions came only through self-sacrifice' — influenced generations of thinkers and leaders. The legend of the Golem of Prague became one of the most famous legends in Jewish history, and his tomb in Prague became a pilgrimage site. Streets, Torah institutions, and educational movements in Israel and around the world are named for him.