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.
You've raised an important point which has serious implications. On Shmini Atzeres 2019 some fellow came to Shul and excitedly told over the amazing Dvar Torah which he heard the day before in a different Shul. The Lubavicher Rebbe spoke about the importance of Hoshana Rabbah. He explained that it was a greater Yom Tov than Rosh Hashana or Succos as evidenced by the fact that unlike those two Yomim Tovim whose Mitzvos are suspended if they came ot on Shabbos, Hoshana Rabbah is never allowed to fall out on Shabbos. The Rebbe then explained that the reason for Hoshana Rabbah's importance is that it celebrates the Jew who is devoid of any Zchusim. Now I don't know if the Rebbe actually said this but it's quite in line with the attitude which I've seen evinced by Chabad. The Gemara says that he who does good to the evil will do evil to the good. I know the Rabbi who gave that speech as I attended his shul for several years and it was his delight to routinely insult me publicly while at the same time treating Russian Mechalelei Shabbos(and worse) as if they were Kodesh Kodoshim.
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