Echoes of Chassidus in the Maharal’s Shul

400 years after the passing of the Maharal, the Alt-Neu Shul reverberates with the sounds of a maamer Chassidus being learned on a leil shishi by 50 bochurim of Yeshivas Kayitz Prague.

“Mipi Seforim, U’Mipi Sofrim”, “From the mouths of books, and from the mouths of authors.” Chassidim have often said that these words refer to the Maharal of Prague, the direct grandfather of the Alter Rebbe. 

400 years after the passing of the Maharal, the Alt-Neu Shul, the shul he was Rav at for many years, reverberates with the sounds of a maamer chassidus being learned by 50 bochurim of Yeshivas Kayitz Prague. This is the scene on a Leil Shishi in Yeshivas Kayitz Prague.

In its inaugural year, YK Prague, with over 50 bochurim between its Yeshiva and Mechina programs, has brought the joy of chassidus to the streets of Prague. While maintaining a complete yeshiva schedule of learning, including shiurim and farbrengens by Yeshiva Mashpia Rabbi Folly Dubov, the bochurim do a lot of mivtzoim as well.

In between sedarim, the bochurim head out to capitalize on the unique opportunities, unrivaled in Europe: the Jewish Quarter, kosher restaurants, historic shuls, mikvahs, and cemetery, teeming with Jewish tourists. There, the bochurim are endlessly busy wrapping tefillin on tourists from around the world, while simultaneously taking in landmarks such as the Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square.

Yidden visiting Prague are drawn to the Yeshiva for a farbrengen, to learn a sicha of the Rebbe, or just to daven in the atmosphere of a Lubavitcher yeshiva. There is no better place to learn a page of Tanya than a Beis Medrash overlooking the Kever of the Maharal, mere meters away.

Many unique visitors grace the yeshiva Beis Medrash with their Shiurim and farbrengens during their visit to Prague. Maggidei Shiurim from all walks of life make YK Prague their Beis Medrash while on vacation, and visiting shluchim sit at farbrengens with the bochurim on leil shishi.

Outside Seder, YK Prague is off on weekly trips around Europe visiting historical sites, and places connected to Gedolei Yisroel throughout the generations, such as Krakow, Pressburg, Vienna and more. On every trip, the bochurim have a farbrengen with the shluchim of the city, hearing their shlichus stories and memories from the Rebbe.

Throughout the week in Prague the bochurim enjoy sports such as bobsledding, horseback riding, boat rides, swimming and sports, and unique destinations like the Prague Castle, of Golem lore.

Additionally, the local community enjoys hosting the bochurim for barbeques and farbrengens, soaking in the energy the boys bring. Every shabbos as well, the bochurim join the Chabad House, run by YK Prague director, shliach to Prague Rabbi Manis Barash, and contribute, with a farbrengen, and inspiring seder niggunim in the center of the Jewish Quarter.

Back in Yeshiva, the bochurim use every moment in zal memorizing maseches Makkos as part of a Mivtza Torah arranged by YK Prague Menahel, Rabbi Mendy Barash. Bochurim who excel have the opportunity to earn prizes and nights out in the restaurants. Rabbonim who visit the yeshiva indulge themselves in testing the bochurim on pages of gemara ba’al peh.

Make sure to check out https://www.ykprague.com to stay updated with YK Prague happenings!