Holesov, South Moravia, May 16 (CTK) – The study room of Shabbatai HaCohen dubbed Shakh, a world-known rabbi who lived and died in Holesov in the 17th century, has opened in the local synagogue and it offers his books, Vratislav Brazdil, who administers the Jewish heritage, said on Monday.
“We want this room to serve its original purpose again – to give Jews the opportunity to study primarily Shakh’s books,” he told journalists.
The collection of Shakh’s books includes the most famous one, his commentary on the code of Jewish law, Shulchan Aruch, Brazdil said.
He said the Holesov synagogue reopened in 1964, but it was considered a museum until now. However, currently it is a place visited by Jews from all over the world, including Israel and the United States, he added.
Shakh (1621-1663) was born in Vilnius in the present Lithuania and he died in Holesov where he was a rabbi. In Holesov, he wrote some of his books.
Brazdil said the Holesov synagogue bought Shakh’s books at auctions organised abroad.
The local cemetery, with 1500 gravestones, and the synagogue are among the most precious and oldest Jewish heritage in the Czech Republic.
Brazdil said the restoration of 130 tombstones at the Holesov Jewish cemetery is planned.
A Jewish community appeared in Holesov as early as the 15th century. About 1700 Jews still lived there in the 19th century. However, the Nazis destroyed the community during World War Two.
