Last week a sound was heard in the shul possibly for the first time in three centuries: a joyous kol Torah

In the small town of Holosev in the Czech Republic stands a small but elaborate shul whose most towering rav was Rav Shabsai ben Meir HaKohein — known to us as the Shach, whose commentary on Yoreh Deiah has been a staple since 1674. The Jewish population there has now dwindled to the point of extinction, and the shul has fallen into disuse. Today’s popular heritage tours have brought throngs of frum Yidden to the venerated beis medrash. But last week a sound was heard in the shul possibly for the first time in three centuries: a joyous kol Torah. As part of a tour celebration for the siyum of Maseches Sotah, Reb Sruly Borenstein delivered his daily daf shiur in various historic shuls in the region, bringing back the most familiar and beloved of tunes to the great mekomos hakedoshim of yesteryear.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 962)