The Czech Ministry of Education is co-sponsoring an official conference in honor of the 400th anniversary of the death of the Maharal of Prague - the 18th day of Elul, which falls on September 7.
The World Zionist Organization is also backing the conference, which will be held next week, September 6-9, under the auspices of Prague Mayor Dr. Pavel Bem. In addition to a tour of the Jewish Museum in Prague and a visit to the Maharal exhibition at Prague Castle, the conference will feature over a dozen prominent speakers, including Czech Republic Chief Rabbi Efraim Sidon, Austrian Chief Rabbi Chaim Eisenberg, Rabbi Dr. Neriah Gutel, and Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Adlerstein.
The Czech postal service also issued a stamp this year in memory of the Maharal – an acronym for Rabbi Yehuda Loew, son of Betzalel. In the past, Czechoslovakia has issued other stamps featuring Jewish topics, including the morning blessings, the liberation of the Terezin concentration camp, and others.
One of a Trio
The Maharal authored a number of classic works of Jewish wisdom, including a commentary on Rashi’s commentary to the Torah, a commentary on Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) and the aggadic passages of the Talmud, and books on Jewish ethics, in defense of Rabbinic teachings, and more. The “Jewish philosophy” curriculum in many yeshivot associated with Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav Kook centers around the trio of Kuzari/Maharal/Rav Kook.
A leading rabbi in Prague and other cities throughout most of the 16th century, the Maharal is possibly best known for the story of the Golem – a clay form that he is said to have turned into a living being.
The Maharal is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague.