Shlomo Carlebach - PURIM The Maharal on Freedom of Choice & Secrets

• Report rights infringement
• published: 14 Feb 2016
• views: 4

Reb Shlomo Carlebach z"lt Teachings On (Bechira) The Maharal of Prague PURIM - Freedom of Choice & Secrets Print E-mail Discuss (7) « Previous Rabbi Betzalelei Ashkenazi Next » Rabbi Chayim Vital Rabbi Judah ben Bezalel Loew was born about the year 5285, probably in Posen. He became famous as a great Talmudic scholar at an early age. In his late twenties, he was invited to become the Rabbi in Nikolsburg, Moravia, a position which he held for about twenty years. His greatest fame, however, came to him as the spiritual head of the Jewish community in- Prague, then the main center of central European Jewry. In Prague, the Maharal established the great Talmudic Academy known as the Klaus. (The ancient building of the Klaus burned down about eighty years after his death and was subsequently rebuilt and named the Klaus Synagogue.) Among his famous disciples were, Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Heller, and Rabbi David Ganz, who were among the most Famous Talmudists of their age. The Maharal won the admiration of his great contemporaries ­Rabbi Solomon Luria (Maharshal), Rabbi Meir (Maharam) of Lublin, and others, who called him affectionately "The iron pillar supporting Israel," "Our breath of life" and "The marvel of the age." The Maharal also became famous among non-Jews for his great secular knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and other sciences. He was a great friend of the astronomers Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler. These in turn introduced him to Emperor Rudolph II. According to many legends, the emperor paid him frequent visits during the night, to discuss with him both politics and science, and Rabbi Judah Loew made use of these excellent connections to the advantage of his community whenever it was threatened by attacks or oppression. Rabbi Judah Loew wrote many works on rabbinic subjects, one of the most important of which is "Gur Aryeh," a commentary on Rashi on the Chumash. Some of his best works are on Jewish philosophy and ethics. In his writings and teachings, he laid stress on understanding the simple literal meaning of the passages studied, avoiding the complicated form of study known as pilpul. He insisted that children should have a thorough knowledge of the Bible and Mishnah before taking up the study of the Talmud. His writings, particularly his commentary on Pirkei Avoth (the Talmud's "ethics of the Fathers") and the collection of his lectures such as Nezach Israel ("The Eternity of Israel"), Nethivoth Olam ("Ways of the World"), reflect his saintly character.