ר׳ ישעיה שטיינר מקרסטיר

ר׳ ישעיה בן ר׳ משה שטיינר (1851–1925), universally known as ר׳ ישעיה׳לה מקרסטיר, was a Hungarian Hasidic rebbe celebrated for hospitality, charity and practical care for the poor. Born at Zboró, now Zborov in Slovakia, he lost his father when young and entered the circle of ר׳ צבי הירש פרידמן מליסקא, whom he served as a devoted attendant and regarded as his principal teacher. He also visited ר׳ חיים הלברשטאם מצאנז and ר׳ מרדכי לייפר מנדבורנה. After his teacher’s death and tension surrounding the Liska succession, he established himself at Bodrogkeresztúr, where his open house, food distribution and personal counsel drew Jews from across Hungary and Galicia. His reputation rests chiefly on oral teaching, acts of חסד and the Kerestir court rather than on an authored book. He died at Bodrogkeresztúr on 3 Iyar 5685 and was succeeded by his son ר׳ אברהם שטיינר.