PRAGUE CITY LINE - Your Guide Through Prague

Franz Kafka ranks without doubt among the most significant personalities of our history, inseparably related to Judaism. This recognized Prague writer is one of the most influential and most respected writers of the 20th century. Let´s discover more about the history of a man who had markedly influenced many world´ s authors. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague, Prague Monuments
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, New Jewish Cemetery - central page, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

During the formation of the Czech state not only the arrival of Cyril and Methodius but also the presence of many cultures and religions was important. Judaism was one of them. Based on the extant historical records, the Jews occured in the Czech territory already in the 10th century. There are many sources mentioning arrival of the Jewish inhabitants. One of them is the oldest Bohemian chronicle – Kosmova kronika by Cosmas of Prague. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

It is crucial for Judaism to keep alive its traditions, customs and everything related to the Jewish culture. All those customs and traditions accompany the daily lives of the Jews and they are distinguished by special indicia. The Jewish traditions origin from the Hebrew biblical books, particularly from the Torah, the most important book of Judaism. It is consequently being read from a Torah Scroll during prayers. Now we will learn about the traditions which are for the Jewish culture essential. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Prague Jewish Town, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

„It is Kosher.“ But what does it actually mean that something is „Kosher“? Which groceries, meat and plants, insects etc. are considered kashruth? And why should we not cook meat in a pot which had been used for milk before? » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Prague Jewish Town, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

Today we will transfer to Prague, namely to the 16th century – the reign period of the Emperor Rudolph II. It was a period of disturbances, when the Jewish inhabitants were suffering from numerous pogroms and other riots. Rabbi Löw was trying to protect the inhabitants of the Prague ghetto and he also provided them with spiritual comfort. The legend of the Golem of Prague started to spread in effort to avert the riots of the neighbouring Christian inhabitants. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague, Prague Monuments
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

The Prague Judaism – it is more than just the remarkable constructions and monuments. It concerns a number of significant people, who through their works and ideas markedly influenced not just the sphere of literature but also the contemporary world view. Now we will learn about one of the geniuses who were forced to leave the native Prague due to their Jewish origin. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

The fundamental document of Judaism is the Torah, or Pentateuch, also called The Five Books of Moses because it is composed of five main parts. Each book consequently describes the oldest history of the Jews and constitues the essence of the Old Testament. The Torah is written in Hebrew and tells about the origin of the Israelites and also about Abraham, the forefather of the Jewish nation. The sacred text is most frequently written on the srcolls fixed on wooden bars. The Torah is in particular used for religious purposes. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Prague Jewish Town, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

Through this article, I would like to take you to the place which is very important for the history of Prague Judaism. Its origins come from 13^th century when Jews were forced to live separately from Christian citizens in so called ghettos. Today, we are going to set out on a tour of the oldest and also largest Jewish ghetto in Europe with the second world’s largest museum of Judaism. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague, Prague Monuments
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Prague Jewish Town, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

Jehuda ben Becalel, more likely known as Rabi Löw or by his Hebrew acronym MaHaRaL belongs to very important representatives of Prague Judaism. Not only did he become a very significant rabbi but according to a legend also the constructor of the legendary Prague Golem. Let´s discover more about him now. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague, Prague Monuments
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Prague Jewish Town, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page

We have seen a number of Jewish buildings and monuments during our walks in the Old Town. The most of them are inherently connected with the name of Mordechaj Maisel. He was a very important person who not only contributed to the prosperity of the Jewish community but he also was the court Jew of the Emperor Rudolph II. » More »

Categories: Jewish Prague, Prague Monuments
Monuments: High Synagogue and Jewish Town Hall, Jewish Ceremonial Hall, Jubilee (also Jerusalem) Synagogue - central page, Klausen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Prague Jewish Town, Spanish Synagogue, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague´s Žižkov - navigation, The Old Jewish Cemetery in Smíchov - central page