Prague. Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, known as the “Maharal” of Prague, dies. Legend and literature attribute to him the construction and animation of the Golem to protect and serve the Jewish community. Rabbi Loew (whose name means “lion”) was the Chief Rabbi of Prague, Moravia, and Poland, and an interpreter of the Talmud, whose works helped inspire the Hasidic revolt in the mid-18th century. A proponent of both mysticism and rationalism, he preached the connection between social justice and mystical theology, criticized corrupt leadership in the Jewish community, and strongly supported scientific research; Loew had lifelong friendships with astronomers Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
