Echoes of Chassidus in the Maharal’s Shul

“Mipi Seforim U’Mipi Sofrim”.
It is passed down by chassidim 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 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 (going into Zal), and Mechina (going into Mesivta) 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 head out during their breaks to capitalize on the unique opportunity, unrivaled in Europe: the Jewish Quarter, including kosher restaurants, historic shuls, mikvahs, and cemetery, teeming with Jewish tourists. The bochurim are ceaselessly busy wrapping tefillin on tourists from around the world, while simultaneously taking in landmarks such as the Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square.

Not only on mivtzoim is their impact felt. 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. Home to the Prague Seminary throughout the year, the campus is a comfortable home to the bochurim, in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, meters away from the Jewish Cemetery and the Vltava River.

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 shluchim visiting 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 visit is capped off with a farbrengen with the shluchim of the city, hearing their stories and zichronos, and memories from the Rebbe.

Of course, throughout the week in Prague there is plenty to do, 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!