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Reb Shayele Kerestirer

Reb Shaye Ben Reb Moshe ZT"L

Rabbi Yeshaya Steiner was born in 1851 to Rabbi Moshe and Hentsha Miriam Steiner in the village of Zborov near Bardeyov (today in Slovakia). When he was 3 years old, his father passed away. At the age of 12, his mother sent him to study in Hungary with Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Liska the author of Ach Pri Tevua, who later appointed him as his aide (Gabbai). When Tzvi Hirsh passed away  and his son-in-law Rabbi Chaim Friedlander author of Tal Chaim succeeded him, Steiner started travelling to Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz. After the death of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, he became a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai Leifer. Rabbi Mordechai Leifer suggested that he move to the town of Kerestir, in Hungary.

In Kerestir, Rav Steiner became a Hasidic Rebbe and became known as a miracle worker, and tens of thousands of Hasidim came to his court.

He was known as hospitable on an institutional scale. In recent years, hospitality projects have developed in his town of Kerestir.

Rav Steiner's image is used as an amulet by those Jews who believe that it wards away mice and offers protection against misinformation.