Paysach J. Krohn, born on January 29, 1945, is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, mohel (a practitioner of ritual Jewish circumcision), author, and lecturer specializing in ethics and spiritual growth. He is widely recognized for his bestselling "Maggid" series published by ArtScroll, which draws inspiration from the teachings of Rabbi Sholom Schwadron, known as the "Maggid of Yerushalayim." Additionally, Krohn has authored a significant work on bris milah (religious circumcision), also released by ArtScroll.
Krohn's roots trace back to the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. His father, Rabbi Avrohom Zelig Krohn, was a well-known mohel in Brooklyn, where he eventually established his practice in Queens. The family relocated to Kew Gardens when Paysach was seven years old, where he became one of the leaders of the Kew Gardens Pirchei boys choir.
As a fifth-generation mohel, Krohn took up the family tradition when his father fell ill, learning the craft to support his family. At just 21 years of age, he became the youngest mohel ever certified by the Brith Milah Board of New York. Over the years, he has performed thousands of religious circumcisions, with his ceremonies often described as "exceptionally spiritual and inspirational."
Krohn's wife, Miriam, serves as a principal at Shevach High School located in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, New York.
In addition to his roles as a rabbi and author, Krohn is a well-respected lecturer who shares stories in the style of a maggid, actively collecting narratives for both his speeches and writings. He leads Jewish historical tours throughout Europe, focusing on the rich Jewish communities that thrived prior to World War II. His experiences on these tours were documented in his 2007 book, Traveling with the Maggid.
Since 2005, Krohn has been a guest speaker at the annual Shavuot retreat hosted by Gateways, alongside Esther Jungreis.
In December 2004, Krohn established the organization PaL (Phone and Learn) in the United Kingdom. This initiative, a branch of Partners in Torah in the U.S., connects Jews interested in deepening their understanding of their heritage with knowledgeable tutors for weekly discussions over the phone.
Krohn's series of "Maggid" books, inspired by Rabbi Sholom Schwadron's stories, has gained considerable popularity. Schwadron, known for his inspirational mussar talks at the Zikhron Moshe shtiebel in Jerusalem from 1952 to 1992, developed a close relationship with the Krohn family after being invited to stay with them in late 1964 during a fundraising trip to America. Despite initially insisting on paying rent, Schwadron and the Krohn family formed a strong bond during his five-month stay. Upon Schwadron's departure after Passover in 1965, Krohn's father returned the rent money, signaling the deep connection they had forged. Following Schwadron’s return to Israel, the Krohns traveled to greet him, solidifying their relationship.
After Rabbi Avrohom Zelig Krohn was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away the following year, Schwadron remained a supportive figure for the family, particularly for Paysach and his seven siblings. With Schwadron's encouragement, Krohn authored The Maggid Speaks, the first of his "Maggid" books, published in 1987. Schwadron passed away before the release of the second book, Around the Maggid's Table. Subsequent titles, including Along the Maggid's Journey, In the Footsteps of the Maggid, Echoes of the Maggid, and Reflections of the Maggid, reflect Schwadron's lasting influence on Krohn’s work. As of 2012, Krohn has published eight books in this series.
