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August 22: The Maharal
Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, known as the “Maharal” of Prague, died on this date in 1609. Legend and literature credit him with constructing and animating the Golem in order to protect and serve the Jewish community. Rabbi Loew (the name means “lion”) was the Chief Rabbi of Prague, Moravia and Poland, and an interpreter of the Talmud whose works helped to inspire the Hasidic upsurge in the middle of the 18th century. An advocate of both mysticism and rationalism, he preached about the link between social justice and mystical theology, was critical of corrupt leadership in the Jewish community, and gave strong support to scientific inquiry; Loew had enduring friendships with astronomers Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
“The Maharal of Prague created a golem, and this was a great wonder. But how much more wonderful it is to transform a corporeal human being into a mentsh!” —Rabbi Israel Salanter
The 1920 silent film The Golem tells the story of Rabbi Loew and the Golem. The director, Paul Wegener, plays the title role. To see a ten-minute adaptation, look below.
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