My Machberes,Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

Satmar Yahrzeit Ingathering

On Sunday, 26 Av, August 20, and Monday, August 21, Satmar Chassidim all over the world will mourn the passing of their great leader and teacher, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, zt"l (1886-1979), revered Satmar Rebbe and author of Divrei Yoel, who passed away 27 years ago. Tens of thousands of Chassidim visit the ohel (mausoleum) in Kiryas Yoel, Monroe on this solemn day, representing the largest annual pilgrimage of Chassidim in America.

In addition to housing the Divrei Yoel's widow, Rebbetzin Alta Feiga Teitelbaum, a"h (1912‑2001), sadly, the burial chamber now also contains Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, zt"l (1914-2006), nephew and succeeding Satmar Rebbe, who passed away on the 26 of Nisan (April 24). Rabbi Moshe was the author of Berach Moshe.

On the day of the yahrzeit, only men will be permitted to enter the cemetery, Motzaei Shabbos Re'eh through 5:00 am Monday morning. On Monday following the yahrzeit, from 5:00 a.m. and on, the Kiryas Yoel cemetery will be reserved for visits by ladies only. Men are restricted from entering any part of the cemetery from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. After 6:00 p.m., men and women, separately, will have regular access to the cemetery. Those having the yahrzeit of a close relative buried in the cemetery on those restricted days must endeavor to either come before limited times or conform to these restrictions.

Men are directed to enter the cemetery through the upper gate near the yeshiva, and ladies may only use the lower entry gate at the roadside and are requested to be modest in dress and behavior. Chevra Kadisha lady officers will be stationed at the cemetery entrance to ensure the rules are followed. Inside the ohel, ladies are restricted from entering the men's section at all times, even if it is empty. Kohanim are warned that entry to the ohel is possible for them only through the upper gate, near the yeshiva.

Visitors are requested not to block the thoroughfare by stopping to recite Tehillim or other lengthy prayers. No tables for solicitations, sales of seforim, or collections of charity are permitted within the ohel or inside the cemetery gates. Permission is needed for positioning any of the aforementioned outside the gates. No collections are permitted in the ohel on the yahrzeit or at any other time. Needless to say, the use of any loudspeaker system is prohibited.

Satmar Today: Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum

With the passing of Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, zt"l, late Satmar Rebbe, on April 24, the ongoing succession controversy between two of his sons has grown sharper. Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, eldest son, was proclaimed Satmar Rebbe by his followers. Rabbi Aaron is the son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager, Bnei Brak Vishnitzer Rebbe. Appointed as Kiryas Yoel Rav in the early 1980's, his main residence is in Kiryas Yoel. After the passing of his father, Rabbi Aaron divides his residence between Kiryas Yoel and Williamsburg. When his father became Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Aaron succeeded him as Sigeter Rav of Williamsburg and lived at and presided over the Sigeter Shul in Williamsburg, where he resides, when in Brooklyn.

Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe (Photo by Heshy Rubinstein)

Followers of Rabbi Aaron have built a huge shul at 13 Hooper Street in Williamsburg that serves as their main beis medrash. In addition, Rabbi Aaron's followers have purchased major properties in Williamsburg and environs and commenced building satellite shuls and schools. Last week, Rabbi Aaron's eldest son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, who served previously as Antwerp Satmar Rav, was appointed as Williamsburg Satmar Rav for Rabbi Aaron's followers. Rabbi Menachem Mendel is the son-in-law of Rabbi Dovid Dov Beirish Meisels, Boro Park Satmar Rav and will preside at the 13 Hooper Street shul.

Satmar Today: Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum

After the passing of the late Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, fourth child of Rabbi Moshe, was proclaimed as Satmar Rebbe by his followers and took up residence in his father's home. Rabbi Zalman Leib, son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Spitz, zt"l, Bistritzer Rav, was appointed as Williamsburg Satmar Rav in June, 1999 by his father with the approval of the Satmar dayanim and Satmar congregational leaders, including then president Berl Friedman. Berl Friedman was first elected in 1998 and is an ardent follower of Rabbi Aaron.

Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe (Photo by Heshy Rubinstein)

In 1999, the father's written appointment was copied and circulated, and a special seat of honor for Rabbi Zalman Leib, reflecting his newly-enhanced position, was set alongside the father's in the main Satmar Beis Medrash on Rodney Street in Williamsburg. Rabbi Zalman Leib previously served as Jerusalem Satmar Rav and Boro Park Sigeter Rav. Rabbi Zalman Leib presently presides over the main Satmar Beis Medrash in Williamsburg and is in control of Satmar's major assets, such as shuls, schools, and camps, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.

The control of Satmar's assets has been challenged in secular court and a number of contradictory rulings kept up the controversy. Most recently, the New York State Appellate Court ruled that control legally belongs to the corporate entity and the corporate succession of the followers of Rabbi Zalman Leib. However, the appellate court declined to rule who now is rightfully Satmar Rebbe, declaring the issue one of a religious nature that precludes interference by the secular court. The court battle continues, as does the controversy.

Followers of Rabbi Aaron maintain that, despite Rabbi Moshe's verbal and written designation of Rabbi Zalman Leib as his successor, determination must be made by Satmar's board of directors, in the same fashion that Rabbi Moshe was selected as successor to his uncle, Rabbi Yoel.

Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, zt"l, Satmar Rebbe (Portrait by allartdirect.com)

Two Satmar Rebbes

Regardless of the issues being fought in secular court, two separate and virtually independent chassidic entities, both titled Satmar, effectively and powerfully exist and flourish. Each Satmar faction, on its own, represents a giant chassidishe global congregation. Furthermore, the issues that are being fought in court do not seem to affect the overwhelming majority of Satmar chassidim. Within Satmar, family members may be divided in their loyalties; however, brothers, sisters and cousins continue to maintain harmonious relations, joyously attending family simchas.

Two Yahrzeit Tisch

Kiryas Yoel in Monroe, upstate New York, was organized by Rabbi Yoel in his final years. He established the yeshiva there and considered Kiryas Yoel his greatest achievement. Major events, such as Selichos and Yom Kippur, were held there and it saw ingatherings of Satmar chassidim from around the world. The village of Kiryas Yoel continues to hold a special place in the minds and hearts of chassidim everywhere.

In Kiryas Yoel, a seudas yahrzeit will be held on Sunday, 6:30 p.m., in the main Beis Medrash, led by Rabbi Aaron, Satmar Rebbe. This event serves as the major annual fund-raising event for the yeshiva in Kiryas Yoel. Thousands of Satmar chassidim are expected to participate.

Also in Kiryas Yoel on Sunday, Rabbi Zalman Leib, Satmar Rebbe will conduct a yahrzeit tisch in the recently enlarged Beis Medrash Vayoel Moshe. As of this writing, a specific time has not yet been announced. The past six yahrzeit commemorations by the late Satmar Rebbe, joined by Rabbi Zalman Leib, were held in the Satmar Camp Divrei Yoel in Swan Lake. This year's event by Rabbi Zalman Leib is a return to Kiryas Yoel and recognition of its uniqueness inseparable from the memory of Rabbi Yoel.

Hikind Mission to North Israel, Continued

The mission, led by Assemblyman Dov Hikind to the communities of the north of Israel under attack, was singularly brave and indescribably meaningful, both to the residents of the cities visited and to the members of the mission.

Before the mission ended, we walked through Emek Medical Center in Afula whose facilities were compromised by rocket bombardments. We were also told of the hospital's chief vascular surgeon, who was severely injured in the suicide murder explosion at the nearby Amakim Mall in Afula in May 2003. After visiting the hospital, the group traveled to Jerusalem where it disbanded for Tisha B'Av.

Mount Zion, Jerusalem

I proceeded to Mount Zion in Jerusalem where Kever Dovid Hamelech is found. The situation on Mount Zion right now is reflective of everything else that is going on in Israel. Almost 50 families with more than 200 children from Tzefas (Safed) have found refuge there. Most came with little more than the clothing on their backs. The Diaspora Yeshiva, which is headquartered on Mount Zion is in summer recess, and its student dormitory rooms are momentarily available. The yeshiva quickly and generously opened its doors and welcomed the families for the duration of the crisis and is providing full meals, bed linens, towels, toiletries and entertainment for the many children. With families having fled their homes without clothing or underwear, the yeshiva is trying to provide much needed clothing, especially for the children. The burden on the yeshiva is weighty and very costly.

Kever Dovid Hamelech

Recently, I have given much time and attention to improving conditions at Kever Dovid Hamelech, and have written a number of articles describing the history and importance of this holy site and have spoken on Zev Brenner's Talkline Communications Network that was rebroadcast. In addition, Rabbi Yonah Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel, attended a meeting held at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in Boro Park by supporters of Kever Dovid Hamelech.

Entry path to Kever Dovid

Unique Dynamics

I stayed on Mount Zion for Tisha B'Av, literally at the entry door of the Kever Dovid Hamelech complex. Many people were there reciting Tehillim and praying. Interestingly, four different events were happening simultaneously at Kever Dovid during my stay there on Tisha B'Av. First and foremost, is the current military crisis that is confronting Israel and costing precious Jewish lives. Many in Israel, crossing all levels of religious observance, have been motivated to beseech Heaven for divine protection of Israel's soldiers as well as for the residents of the northern cities. In addition, because it was Tisha B'Av, when thousands of people make their way to the Kotel (Western Wall), the remnant of the destroyed Holy Temple, many also came to King David's gravesite. Many individuals of the families from Tzefas who found refuge on Mount Zion are devoting their time to prayer and Torah study at Kever Dovid. And, of course, because of our efforts here on behalf of Kever Dovid, it is presently being kept open 24/7, as opposed to being regularly closed at 5:00 pm daily, allowing for many, many more people to pray at the revered holy site.

Kiryas Yoel cemetery with ohel on left

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