A Short History of the Jewish People in Prague and the Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague

DATE: 2nd July 2024

COMMENTS:

The Jewish Quarter of Prague comprises several sites and these are:

• Maisel Synagogue
• Pinkas Synagogue
• Old Jewish Cemetery
• Klausen Synagogue
• Ceremonial Hall
• Spanish Synagogue
• R. Guttman Gallery
• Old-New Synagogue

Regrettably at the time of my visit, (early July 2024), both the Klausen Synagogue and the Ceremonial Hall were both closed for re-construction.

SHORT HISTORY

The Jewish community in Prague has a history that spans more than a thousand years. The first record of Jewish presence in Prague dates back to the 10th century.

Some key historical points about the Jewish community in Prague:

1. Early Settlement: Jews are believed to have settled in Prague as early as the 10th century, with the earliest documentation of their presence dating to 965, when the Jewish merchant Ibrahim ibn Yaqub mentioned a Jewish community in the area;

2. Medieval Period: By the 12th century, Prague had a well-established Jewish community. The community flourished in the medieval period despite facing occasional persecution and restrictions;

3. Golden Age: The 16th century is often considered a golden age for Jews in Prague, particularly under the reign of Emperor Rudolf II, who invited Jewish scholars and scientists to his court;

4. Ghettoization and Persecution: In 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council decreed that Jews should be segregated from Christians. By the 13th century, the Jewish quarter (ghetto) in Prague had become a distinct and thriving area, despite various instances of persecution, such as the pogroms of 1389;

5. Cultural and Religious Contributions: Prague's Jewish community has made significant contributions to Jewish culture and religion. The Old New Synagogue, completed in 1270, is the oldest active synagogue in Europe. The community also produced notable figures, including Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (the Maharal of Prague), who is associated with the legend of the Golem, (see below);

6. Modern Period: In the 18th and 19th centuries, Prague's Jews played a crucial role in the city's economic and cultural life. The Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah) movement found a strong following in Prague;

7. 20th Century and Holocaust: The community faced near-destruction during the Holocaust, with the vast majority of Prague's Jews being deported to concentration camps and murdered;

8. Post-War Era: After World War II, a small Jewish community reestablished itself in Prague. Despite emigration and the Communist regime's restrictions, the community has survived and remains active today;

Overall, the Jewish community in Prague has a deeply rooted and storied presence that reflects both the vibrant contributions and the challenges faced over centuries.

The Legend of the Golem

The legend of the Golem of Prague is a well-known Jewish folklore tale, particularly associated with Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, also known as the Maharal of Prague, who lived in the 16th century. Here's a detailed account of the legend:

Origin

The legend is set in the late 16th century in the Prague ghetto, where the Jewish community faced severe persecution and blood libels (false accusations of using Christian blood in religious rituals).

Creation of the Golem

Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, a respected scholar and mystic, sought to protect his community from these threats. Using his knowledge of Kabbalah (Jewish mystical teachings), Rabbi Loew created a Golem—a humanoid figure made from clay taken from the banks of the Vltava River.

The Process

According to the legend, Rabbi Loew and his two assistants performed a ritual to animate the Golem. They inscribed the Hebrew word "emet" (אמת), meaning "truth," on the Golem's forehead, or placed a piece of parchment with the word in the Golem's mouth. This word gave the Golem life, enabling it to follow Rabbi Loew's commands.

The Golem's Role

The Golem was incredibly strong and obedient, and it served various functions:

• Protection: It defended the Jewish community from attacks and false accusations.
• Labor: The Golem performed menial tasks, reducing the workload of the community members.

Loss of Control

As time went on, the Golem grew larger and more powerful. Some versions of the legend suggest that the Golem began to act destructively or became uncontrollable when not given specific tasks.

Deactivation

To stop the Golem, Rabbi Loew removed the parchment or altered the word "emet" to "met" (מת), meaning "death." This act deactivated the Golem, causing it to revert to lifeless clay. The Golem's remains were said to be stored in the attic of the Old New Synagogue in Prague.

Legacy and Symbolism

• Cultural Impact: The Golem of Prague has inspired numerous works of literature, theater, film, and art, becoming a powerful symbol in Jewish folklore and beyond.
• Themes: The legend explores themes such as the use of mystical power, the consequences of playing God, and the struggle for protection against oppression.
• Tourist Attraction: Today, the story of the Golem is a popular aspect of Prague's cultural heritage, attracting many visitors interested in the city's Jewish history and legends.

The Golem of Prague remains one of the most enduring and fascinating legends, symbolizing the intersection of mysticism, protection, and the human quest for justice.

The Old Jewish Cemetery - Prague

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is one of the most significant and evocative Jewish sites in Europe. Located in the Josefov district, the historic Jewish quarter of Prague, the cemetery dates back to the early 15th century, with the oldest tombstone belonging to the poet and scholar Avigdor Kara from 1439.

Some key points about the Old Jewish Cemetery:

1. Historical Significance: The cemetery served as the primary burial ground for Prague's Jewish community for over 300 years, until 1787. It is one of the oldest surviving Jewish cemeteries in the world;

2. Gravestones: There are approximately 12,000 visible tombstones, but the number of people buried there is much higher. Due to the limited space, graves were layered on top of each other, with as many as twelve layers in some areas;

3. Notable Burials: Among the notable figures buried in the cemetery are Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (the Maharal of Prague), famous for the legend of the Golem, (see above) and Mordechai Maisel, a philanthropist who significantly contributed to the development of the Jewish Quarter;

4. Cultural and Spiritual Importance: The cemetery is a powerful symbol of the rich history, culture, and resilience of the Jewish community in Prague. It reflects the continuity of Jewish life despite the numerous hardships and persecutions faced over centuries;

5. Tourist Attraction: Today, the Old Jewish Cemetery is part of the Jewish Museum in Prague and is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to pay their respects and learn about the history of Prague's Jewish community;

6. Architectural and Artistic Value: The cemetery is renowned for its unique and densely packed tombstones, many of which are adorned with intricate carvings and epitaphs that provide valuable insights into the art, language, and religious practices of the time;

The Old Jewish Cemetery is not just a place of rest for the departed but also a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people and their rich cultural heritage in Prague.

When visiting the Old Jewish Cemetery I would recommend to arrive as early as possible, (opening is at 9am during the summer months), because the pathway around the cemetery is quite narrow and I am advised that it can become quite crowded with many visitors during the summer months. I arrived at opening time and fortunately I was only one of three visitors at this time.

One of the buildings that stands adjacent to the Old Jewish Cemetery, is the Pinkas Synagogue and is dedicated to the "Shoah" or the "Holocaust." The word "Shoah" in Hebrew means "catastrophe" or "destruction." In contemporary usage, "Shoah" serves as a more precise term within the Jewish context, differentiating the Holocaust from other instances of mass violence or genocide. The word gained broader recognition and use, particularly after the release of Claude Lanzmann's documentary film "Shoah" in 1985, which brought the term into the global lexicon.

From Prague, approximately 46,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps between 1939 and 1945 during the Holocaust. The deportations primarily targeted the Jewish community living in Prague, which had been a significant center of Jewish life in Central Europe before the war.

Most of these deportations began after the establishment of the Theresienstadt (Terezín) ghetto, which served as a transit camp. From Theresienstadt, many Prague Jews were further deported to extermination camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and others. The majority of those deported from Prague did not survive the Holocaust. Within the Pinkas Synagogue, you will find the list of concentration camps to where victims were transported and many names of the victims are also inscribed on the walls of the synagogue.