Betzalel Charif

The grave of Rabbi Betzalel, son of the Maharal, in Prague.

Rabbi Betzalel Charif (5316 (1556) – 8 Cheshvan 5380 (1619)) was the only son of the Maharal of Prague.

Life

Rabbi Betzalel was born in the year 5316 (1556) to his father the Maharal of Prague and his mother Pearl, and was named after his grandfather.

He is known as "Rabbi Betzalel Charif" — charif meaning sharp-minded — on account of his keen intellect and rare gifts. He had a particular love for teaching Torah, and a special talent for delivering shiurim (Torah lectures) to students.

Even before the Maharal's passing, the people of the city did not accept Rabbi Betzalel for the leadership of the yeshiva, and instead appointed Rabbi Ephraim Lunshitz, author of Olelos Ephraim, as its head. Rabbi Betzalel traveled to Klein and opened a yeshiva there, which quickly gained wide renown and attracted many students.

He passed away in the year 5380 (1619) in Klein. His father the Maharal had set aside a burial plot for him beside his own grave in Prague, but since Rabbi Betzalel died in Klein, the Maharal designated that plot instead for Rabbi Betzalel's son, Rabbi Shmuel.

Family

• His daughter Lifet, wife of Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz
• His son Menachem, who passed away in his youth
• His son Shmuel, who lived long in wealth and honor — from whom the Alter Rebbe descends

Further Reading

• Sefer HaZikronos, part 2, p. 109

External Links

• Megilas Yuchasin of the Maharal of Prague, p. 20 — the life of Rabbi Betzalel