Rav Yeshaya Steiner of Kerestir zt"l
הרב ישעיה בן משה שטיינר זצ"ל
Iyar 3 , 5685
(1851-1925 / 5611- 5685)
Rabbi Yeshayaleh Steiner of Kererstir was born to Rav Moshe and Hentshe Miraim Steiner in 5611/1851. He was orphaned from his father at age three and was raised and educated by his saintly mother who sacrificed much to give him a proper chinuch.
By age twelve, his mother realized that it was in her son's best interest to be in a true makom Torah. With great self-sacrifice, she sent the young boy away from home to study under the rebbe, Rav Tzvi Hirsch Lisker, author of Achi Pri Tevuah. Rav Tzvi Hirsch would eventually become his rebbe muvhak.
The Liska Rav sent him to study in the yeshivah in Semihali. Within half a year, all the locals knew of the young budding genius from whom they began to seek out his heartfelt blessings. They would hand him a coin and request that he recite Tehillim on behalf of the sick and ill. They saw wonders as the result of his supplications and soon, word spread that at the fair, it would be best if Rav Shayaleh would stand beside them as they traded so that in his merit they would be assured of their success in trading.
Rav Shayaleh was a disciple of Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, and after his passing, he became a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna. The Nadvoner Rebbe suggested that he move to the town of Kerestir (Karstir). In Kerestir he became a famous rebbe known as a miracle worker.
After about half a year, the Lisker brought him back to help as his gabbai and he recognized his immense potential. He treated him with honor and respect and allowed the young tzaddik the opportunity to learn from his holy ways. After some time, his rebbe recognized his disciple’s own hidden and holy ways. Rav Shayaleh was appointed to distribute the challos at his rebbe's tisch to the many guests. They said regarding this that once he continued giving out challos even when the sack was empty! Eventually, this miraculous distribution moved on from Liska to Kerestir where Reb Shayaleh would give out chulent from his pot and continue ladling out portions, long after the pot was empty!
Of course, no one was allowed to see inside the pot; the rebbe would simply ask if they needed more. And if anyone requested more, he got some, even when it was clear that the pot was empty and that, long before, all the portions the pot could possibly hold had already been distributed. In fact, very little had even been cooked and prepared, yet somehow, there was always more than enough and plenty to go around!
It was said of him that he had an otherworldly ability to give others since he gave of himself in a supernatural manner. He gave away all his food and distributed all his money to charity. He gave until there was nothing left to give and so Hashem gave him more to give!
After his service and studies under the Liska Rav, he studied under Rav Chaim Halberstam of Sanz. There, he demonstrated his way of giving. For instance, the Sanzer Rav once requested a large sum and Rav Shayaleh had some 600 reinish in his pockets. The Divrei Chaim asked, and Rav Shayele gave. He emptied out pocket number one.
"Don't you have anymore?" asked the Sanzer Rav.
He emptied out the second pocket. The Sanzer kept asking until Rav Shayaleh had given him the entire sum. Rav Chaim wondered out loud about Rav Shayaleh’s giving nature and exclaimed how generous he was.
On 4 Nissan 5635/1875, he married Sarah bas Yitzchok Yona, the son-in-law of Rav Shaya Hakohen Gadol of Kerestir. Rav Shayale's Shabbos aufruf was conducted by his rebbe Rav Mordechai of Nadvorna who promised him that although there was no one around to shower the young groom with candies--as is the custom-- instead, he, the rebbe, will shower the chassan with followers and chassidim!
After a rough start in Liska where he lived in dire poverty, Rav Mordechai advised him to move to Kerestir and told him that there, he would find success. Like the Sanzer and Lisker, Rav Mordechai held Rav Shayaleh in great esteem and urged him to take on the role of leader and rebbe. Thus, he was appointed rebbe and if chassidim came to Rav Mordechai from Kerestir and the environs seeking his blessings, he sent them back to Rav Shayaleh for salvation saying they belonged to him. When Rav Mordechai found out that they were not calling up Rav Shayaleh for his aliyah to the Torah with the title of “Rebbe, Master and Teacher,” he admonished them to do so.
Despite his success, he had profound humility. He continued to sign his name as "Yeshaya ben Moshe who used to be meshamesh the holy tzaddik of Liska”!
He passed away on 3 Iyar 5685/1925 and was laid to rest in Kerestir.
After his passing his tziyun became a central location for those seeking blessings and salvation and this continues to be the case until this day.
His successor was his only son, Rav Avraham of Kerestir. His sons-in-law were Rav Raphael Gross of Berbesht, Rav Shmuel, Rav Yisroel Avraham Alter Landau AvBeisDin Edelin.
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