The Jerusalem Post has a good article on Toldos Aharon, which links to a great paper by a professor on the group. Recommended reading for those who want to have a better understanding of them.
Additional info in English here.
Maran Rav Gershon Edelstein שליט"א was ahead of the curve.
May we be safe, ברוחניות ובגשמיות, and have good news to share.
Not long ago, earlier this month, there was a flurry of media activity around the yahrzeit of Reb Shaya of Kerestir, a Chasidic Rebbe from Hungary who passed away close to a century ago. Reb Steiner, a folk hero in his time, whose image was preserved, disseminated, and displayed by some long afterward, due, in part, to a purported utility in combating vermin, in recent years has garnered new attention and constituents in various forms. Among them, a sizable English language book, increased visits to his resting place, new songs related to him, along with various charity and prayer initiatives, inducing contributors at times with miraculous tales and promises of salvation.
For those who look beyond the superficial, however, doubts arise if all of the related activity and hype is really in his spirit, and appropriate.
Two points he makes in particular are 1) Reb Shaya fed the poor, particularly many in his time and place who were destitute. Making a fress-fest for the well-fed who might be better off with a strict diet is not what he was about. 2) His stress on the greatness and importance of "poshute Yidden" does not mean that those able to rise higher should suffice with such a level.
May Hashem grant us the wisdom to discern between appropriate imitation and faux veneration.
