Rabbi Judah ben Bezalel Lowe, known as the Maharal of Prague was famous among Jews and non-Jews alike. He was a mystic who was revered for his holiness and Torah scholarship, as well as his proficiency in mathematics, astronomy, and other sciences. Eventually, word of his greatness reached the ears of Emperor Rudolph II.
The Emperor invited the Maharal to his castle on February 23, 1592. There they conversed for one and a half hours, and developed a mutual respect for each other.
Rabbi Judah Lowe made use of his excellent connections with the Emperor, often intervening on behalf of his community when it was threatened by anti-Semitic attacks or oppression.
What is an alef?
A point above, a point below, and a line between.
Whatever we may understand of Him
is but an infinitesimal point above.
The only way we can join with Him
is as an infinitesmal point below.
And what empowers us to become this zero-point below
that resonates with the infinite-point above?
Our awe of Him,
a line that connects below to above.