Joel Teitelbaum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joel Teitelbaum |
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| Religion | Judaism |
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| Nationality | Hungarian Romanian American |
| Born | January 13, 1887 Máramarossziget, Austria-Hungary (today Sighetu Marmației, Romania) |
| Died | August 19, 1979 (aged 92) Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, United States |
| Spouse | Chavah Horowitz (1904–1936) Alte Faige Shapiro (1937–2001) |
| Children | Esther (−1921) Rachel (−1931) Roysele (−1953) |
| Parents | Chananyah Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum Chana Ashkenazi |
Joel Teitelbaum (born January 13, 1887 – died August 19, 1979) was a very important Jewish leader. He was the founder and first Grand Rebbe of the Satmar group of Hasidic Jews.
He was a major figure in rebuilding Hasidism after World War II. He believed in a very traditional way of life. He did not like modern ideas. Teitelbaum was also strongly against Zionism, which is the idea of creating a Jewish state in Israel.
Contents
Joel Teitelbaum's Life Story
His Early Years
Joel Teitelbaum was born on January 13, 1887. His father was Chananyah Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum. He was the Grand Rabbi of Sighet. Joel's mother was Chana Ashkenazi. He was the youngest of five children.
The Teitelbaum family rabbis were known for their very traditional views. They were against new ideas like the Haskalah (Enlightenment) and Zionism. Joel's great-grandfather, Moshe Teitelbaum, helped spread Hasidism in Hungary.
Joel was known for being very smart from a young age. At his bar mitzvah, he gave a long speech about a topic from the Talmud. He was very careful about ritual purity and would prepare for prayers by cleaning himself thoroughly.
In 1904, when he was 17, Joel married Chavah Horowitz. This was just a few days before his father passed away. They had three daughters, but sadly, none of them lived longer than their father or had children.
Joel's older brother, Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, took over their father's roles. But some people, including their mother, thought Joel should be the leader. Joel and Chavah then moved to her father's home for over a year.
In 1905, the Teitelbaums settled in Szatmárnémeti, also called Satmar. Even though he was young, his supporters opened a study hall for him. He slowly started to gain followers in the area.
Becoming a Rabbi
In 1911, Joel Teitelbaum was invited to be the rabbi in Ilosva. This town is now in Ukraine. He started a local school there and taught about Hasidism. When World War I began, he returned to Satu Mare. His study hall there grew into a large seminary.
As a young rabbi, he followed his father's and grandfather's beliefs. He did not allow contact with Zionists. He also supported Chaim Elazar Spira against Agudath Israel. After the war, Satu Mare became part of Romania.
In 1920, the chief Orthodox rabbi of Satmar died. Some of Teitelbaum's supporters wanted him to take the job. But many people, including modernists and Zionists, were against it. Another rabbi, Eliezer David Greenwald, was chosen instead. In 1922, Teitelbaum returned to his community in Iršiva.
In 1925, he became the chief rabbi of Carei. He moved there about a year later. In 1926, his older brother, Chaim Tzvi, died suddenly. Chaim Tzvi's oldest son was only fourteen. Even though many thought Joel should take over, his nephew was given the roles.
However, most of the Hasidim looked to Joel as their leader. He became the unofficial rebbe of the dynasty.
In 1928, the rabbi of Satmar, Eliezer David Greenwald, died. Teitelbaum tried for the job again. He was chosen by a committee. But there was a long disagreement with those who opposed him. They held an election, and Teitelbaum won.
His opponents did not accept the results. After more disputes, his supporters started their own community in 1929. This was so he could serve as their rabbi. Eventually, an agreement was reached in 1930. Joel was invited to be Satmar's chief rabbi. He waited until he was sure of support from the community council. He finally moved to Satmar on February 27, 1934. His rabbinical school became the largest in Satmar.
In 1932, Teitelbaum visited Jerusalem. Some people wanted him to be the chief rabbi there. But another rabbi, Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, got the job. In 1936, Teitelbaum's first wife, Chava, died. In 1937, he married Alte Faige Shapiro. She was 25 years old, half his age.
Meeting King Carol II of Romania
In 1936, King Carol II visited Satmar. There was a big parade for his arrival. Many leaders stood on a stage to greet him. Rabbi Teitelbaum was among them.
When the king came near the stage, he looked at everyone. He walked straight towards Teitelbaum. Teitelbaum saluted and said a special Jewish blessing for meeting a king. The king shook his hand. A Jewish photographer captured this moment. It was published in Romanian newspapers.
Later, the king was asked why he approached the Orthodox rabbi first. He said that his heart was drawn to the rabbi because of his spiritual appearance. This response was also published in Jewish newspapers.
During World War II
In 1940, Satmar became part of Hungary again.
During the difficult times of the Holocaust, Joel Teitelbaum sought ways to leave Hungary. He was among a group of important Jewish figures who were part of the Kastner train deal. This train was meant to take Jews to a neutral country.
On June 30, 1944, the train left. It was supposed to go to Switzerland but was sent to Bergen Belsen instead. The group was kept in a special section with better conditions. Teitelbaum received special care there.
With help, Teitelbaum was transferred to Switzerland with some other Jews. He was treated well by the authorities there.
After some time, he decided to move to Mandatory Palestine. In August 1945, he traveled from Switzerland to Italy. Then, he boarded a ship that arrived in Haifa on September 2. He lived in Jerusalem for about a year.
When his religious institutions faced financial problems, he decided to move to the United States.
Life in the United States
The Satmar Rebbe arrived in New York on September 27, 1946. He settled in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with a small group of his followers.
In 1948, the Satmar Hasidim started "Congregation Yetev Lev." It was named after his grandfather. This community was set up as a religious organization. Its rules stated that Teitelbaum was the highest spiritual leader.
In 1951, even though he lived in the U.S., Teitelbaum was chosen as the President of the anti-Zionist Edah HaChareidis in Jerusalem. He also became the chairman of their Rabbinical Court in 1953. He visited Israel every few years.
In 1955, Teitelbaum founded the Central Rabbinical Congress. He led this group for the rest of his life. In the early 1960s, his followers looked for a place to build a new community. They wanted a quiet place away from the outside world. They bought land in Monroe, New York. There, they built Kiryas Joel (Town of Joel). The first families moved there in 1974.
On February 23, 1968, Teitelbaum had a stroke. This left him partly paralyzed. His wife became very influential in leading the Satmar community. On August 19, 1979, he passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital. Over 100,000 people attended his funeral in Kiryas Joel. His nephew, Moshe Teitelbaum, became his successor.
His Beliefs
Against Zionism
Teitelbaum was well-known for being strongly against Zionism. He believed that Jews should not create a state in Israel by force. He thought they should wait for the Moshiach (Messiah) to come. He encouraged his followers in Israel to live independently without help from the State of Israel.
Before World War II, many Orthodox rabbis believed that God promised to return the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. This would happen under the Messiah's leadership. Until then, Jews should follow the mitzvot (commandments). They should not fight against other nations. After the Holocaust, Teitelbaum held this view even more strongly.
Teitelbaum believed that creating the modern State of Israel by people, not the Messiah, went against a Jewish commandment. He also taught that the existence of the State of Israel was actually stopping the Messiah from coming.
The Three Oaths
Teitelbaum based his arguments against Zionism on a passage in the Talmud. This passage talks about "Three Oaths" that God put on the Jewish people:
- Jews should not return to the Land of Israel all at once, by force.
- Jews should not rebel against other nations.
- Other nations should not treat Israel too harshly.
Teitelbaum believed that the State of Israel's actions went against these oaths. He saw the wars between Israel and Arab nations as a result of ignoring these oaths.
He thought his opposition to Zionism would protect Jews and prevent fighting. He believed that participating in the Israeli government, like voting, was forbidden. He felt it would make one a "partner" in policies that went against Jewish law. Satmar Hasidim still refuse to join organizations like World Agudath Israel. They believe only the Moshiach can bring about a true Jewish government in Israel.
Even though Satmar Hasidim are against the current government of Israel, many of them live in and visit Israel. Teitelbaum himself lived in Jerusalem for a year and visited Israel after moving to the United States.
Other Important Beliefs
Teitelbaum was very strict about many parts of Halakha (Jewish law). He had disagreements with other rabbis, like Moshe Feinstein, about the proper height of a mechitza (a divider between men and women in a synagogue). Teitelbaum believed the mechitza should completely hide women from view.
He encouraged all married Hasidic men to wear shtreimel (ceremonial fur hats). These were not common in Hungary before the war. But Teitelbaum felt that in America, it was important for people to look very different from others. This would help prevent Jews from losing their traditions. He also believed young men and women should meet only a few times before getting engaged.
Teitelbaum emphasized the importance of tznius (modesty). He strongly supported the Hungarian Hasidic custom for married women to shave their heads monthly before going to the mikveh (ritual bath). He did not recommend sheitel (wearing wigs) for married women. Instead, he wanted women to cover their hair with something else, like a turban. He insisted that all Satmar women and girls wear thick brown stockings with seams. These stockings are called palm, which is the English translation of Teitelbaum's last name.
Teitelbaum did not allow owning a television. He also bought and supervised his own Yiddish-language newspaper, Der Yid. He did this for two reasons. First, he felt other Yiddish newspapers had inappropriate content. Second, he wanted a way to share his ideas.
His Written Works
Here are some of the books and writings by Joel Teitelbaum or put together by his students:
- Vayoel Moshe (1958): This book explains his belief that Zionism is forbidden by Jewish law.
- Al HaGeulah VeAl HaTemurah (1967): This book further explains his views against Zionism, especially after the Six-Day War.
- Divrei Yoel: This work covers the Chumash (the first five books of the Torah), the Talmud, and Jewish festivals.
- Kuntres Chidushai Torah: This book is about the Chumash.
- Kuntres Chidushai Torah: This book is about the festivals.
- Shu"t Divrei Yoel: This contains his responsa (answers to questions on Jewish law).
- Dibros Kodesh: These are sermons he gave.
- Agados Maharit: This book is about the Talmud.
- Tiv Levav: This work is about the Chumash.
- Rav Tuv: This work is also about the Chumash.
Teitelbaum also wrote a short introduction to the Talmudic tractate Shabbat for a printing in Romania during the Holocaust. There are also collections of his speeches called Hidushei Torah MHR"I Teitelbaum.
See also
In Spanish: Joel Teitelbaum para niños
- Hasidic Judaism
- Neturei Karta
- Shomer Emunim (Hasidic dynasty)
