Spiritual Jewish Poland by Jonathan Waxman (c) 2007

Cracow - Krakow - קראקא

"Dzien Dobry i Powitanie" - Poland 2007

Full Explanations of Photos Coming Soon - This webpage is being prepared at the moment December 2007

The Old Cemetery קראקא Krakow

Is situated behind the Remuh Synagogue in Jewish Quater of Kazimierz in Krakow

(map will be uploaded coming soon insert here)

The Grave of the Famous Tosfos Yomtov תוספות יום טוב

Rabbeinu Gershon Shaul "Yom Tov" Lipman Heller

Yarzheit 6th Elul

Reb Yom Tov Lipman Heller, author of Tosfos Yom Tov on Mishnayos, (1579-1654) Became Rov of Cracow in 1643. Reb Gershon Shaul Yom Tov Lipman Heller (1579-1654). Born several days after the death of his father, Nosson, he was raised by his grandfather, Moshe Wallerstein HaLevi Heller in Vienna. At the age of 13, he was sent to study in Prague with the MaHaRaL. At 18, he was appointed a member of the MaHaRaL's judicial court in Prague, a position he held for 27 years. In 1622, he left Prague for Nicholsburg where he served as Rabbi and Av Beis Din. However, after 6 months he was called to serve in Vienna, as Av Beis Din. The post was considered of major importance in the world wide Jewish community as Vienna at that time was one of the largest existing Jewish communities. In 1627, he was chosen to head the Beis Din of Prague. However, after only 6 months, on 4 Jul 1629, he was imprisoned for 40 days after which he was released penniless. He was forbidden to practice his profession as well. By 1630 the ban was lifted and in 1631, he was asked to take a position in Nimerov. In 1634 he was elected rabbi in Ludmir where he remained for a total of 7 years.

In 1641 he became Av Beis Din and Rov of the Jewish community in Crakow where he died 13 years later. He is buried in the Crakow cemetery along the fence in the area devoted to the poor and the needy. In addition to his famous Tosefos Yom Tov, one of the most important commentaries on Misha, he authored the Sefer “Tzuras HaBayis,” a detailed explanation of Rashi’s view of the Third Temple as described by Ezekiel, chapters 40-43. ( thank God that descendants of his survived, especially the Famous Goldberg Family such examples of Kindness and torah learning as Nettie Goldberg . ) Photos above and below are the grave tomb of the Tosfos Yomtov in Krakow - in the Remah old cemetary in Kazimierz district of Krakow.

The Far Corner of the Krakow Old Remuh Cemetery where the TosFos Yom Tov is buried:-

The Grave of the Kind and Generous Tzaddik Nistar who the Tosfos Yom Tov wanted to be buried

( full story of this Tzaddik - coming soon )

Reb Avrohom Heshel of Krakow , (1596-1663), son of Reb Yaakov Lubliner and the grandson (through his mother) of Reb Meir Katzenellenbogen. Yarzheit 20th Tishrei :-

Author of Megino Shlomo - Yarzheit 25th Av

" The Amazing Healing Doctor " Reb Eliezer

On his Gravestone is written "Everything is a Returning Wheel" referring to the spiritual essence of our lives

"What goes around - comes around" everything is accounted for see www.gilgulim.com

Reb Yoel Sirkus - Yarzheit 20th Adar

Reb Yoel Sirkes of Cracow, (the Bach), author of Bayis Chadash on the Tur. Father-in-law of the Taz. Appointed Chief Rabbi of Cracow in 1619. (1561-1641). In his youth, he studied under Reb Shlomo Leibush of Lublin and Reb Meshulam Feivush in Brisk. He had several rabbinic appointments throughout Poland, lastly as Chief Rabbi of Cracow in 1619. He was the teacher and father-in-law of Reb Dovid HaLevy, the Taz.

Reb Nosson Nota