Miami Maggid Shiur Goes Viral

The Yeshiva Gedolah of Miami, founded in 1974 by the Rebbe and headed by its Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Shapiro, has long been a hub of Torah and Chassidus, drawing bochurim from around the world to its Zal. It is further elevated by the presence of its renowned Maggid Shiur, Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski, widely known as “Rabbi Kraz.”

Beyond his daily in-depth shiurim, which form a central part of the bochurim’s learning in yeshiva, Rabbi Krasnjanski has become especially known for his uniquely engaging and unconventional lectures on a wide array of topics. His ability to take complex, or even puzzling, subjects and present them with clarity, depth, and originality has captivated audiences both locally and around the world.

In recent years, a weekly community shiur has developed, drawing yungeleit and community members eager to hear Rabbi Krasnjanski’s insights. These shiurim go far beyond standard topics, often featuring intriguing titles such as “The Vampire’s Tattoo,” “The Creepy Mummies of Ancient Egypt,” and “Gilgulim. Is Reincarnation for Real?”

Other shiurim tackle equally fascinating and unexpected themes, including “Cannibalism, and the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571,” “Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great and Chanukah,” “Reb Chaim Vital, Isaac Newton, Their Intrigue With Alchemy, & The Quest for the Philosopher’s Stone,” and “Will the Real Moshiach Please Stand Up!”, blending lomdus, history, and human insight in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply relatable.

What began as a local initiative has quickly grown into a global phenomenon. With over 7,000 followers across platforms, an average of 2,000 listeners completing each shiur, and over 900,000 plays to date, listeners from around the world regularly tune in to Rabbi Krasnjanski’s shiurim, many describing them as both intellectually stimulating and deeply inspiring.

For those who have yet to experience these shiurim, the opportunity is now more accessible than ever. Thanks to the initiative and dedication of local shliach and community member R’ Leibel Khazanovich, a new website, RabbiKraz.com, has been launched. The site allows users to stream or watch every shiur, pick up exactly where they left off on any device, track their progress through the catalog, browse by topic or series, and easily sponsor a shiur l’ilui nishmas or l’zechus a loved one.

Rabbi Krasnjanski serves as a valued member of the hanhala of the Yeshiva Gedolah of Miami, alongside Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yehuda Leib Shapiro and Menahel Rabbi Chaim Stern, continuing to impact both his talmidim and the broader community with his dynamic and far-reaching Torah.

For more information about the yeshiva, visit www.YGMiami.com. To access the shiurim, visit www.RabbiKraz.com.