Yeshaya (Shayele) Kerestir

Yahrzeit – 3 Iyar

Resting place – Hungary, Bodrogkeresztúr, Sipos köz 3, 3916

Phone: +1 718-930-4859 (it is best to call ahead if your visit is not on the Yahrzeit)

Reb Yeshaya (Shayele) Kerestirer was a Talmid of the "Divrei Chaim" of Sanz and the "Ach Pri Tevuah" of Liska.

He was known as a Baal Mofet (miracle worker). His photograph is one of the most widely recognized in the world.

He lived more than 100 years ago and was a great tzadik. Sages such as Rabbi Yissachar Dov of Belz and Rabbi Meir of Dvorna testified that Rabbi Yeshaya of Kerestir had a special connection to Shamayim.

The tzadikim and Admorim of his generation would send everyone in need of a blessing for parnassah to Kerestir. It was there, with the tzadik's help, that many Jews found the key to a stable life.

How did it come about that the "Key to Good Parnassah" was placed into the hands of Rebbe Shayele, as the people affectionately called him?

The Gedolei HaDor of his generation said that he performed this mitzvah to perfection! The "Beis Avraham" of Slonim told one of his chassidim, as he was about to leave him: "On your way home, stop in the town of Kerestir, and you will see a unique tzadik who reached the highest levels of holiness simply through his complete mesirat nefesh for Bnei Yisrael"!

Any person with a serious problem involving parnassah, a zivug, or health … if they turned to the tzadik Rebbe Shayele, supernatural miracles would happen for them.

Rebbe Shayele made a covenant with Hashem Yisborach: "Ribbono Shel Olam," he said to the Creator, "I will do more than I am able in order to provide for the hungry and the destitute, and You, יביוכל, do more than You need to, so that I will be able to feed them all."

And indeed, Rebbe Shayele managed to provide for everyone, at times even in ways that surpassed nature. Those who helped him prepare the food recount with awe that they cooked with only the limited ingredients that were in the house, yet there was always enough food to feed everyone, no matter how many people came to sit at his tables.

An Open Miracle

Once, when a group of chassidim arrived at Rebbe Shayele's courtyard, the Rebbe instructed everyone to set the table for the group. One of his attendants said to him anxiously, "There is almost no soup left in the pot. What shall we do?" Rebbe Shayele took a ladle, stirred the pot a little, and said, "Why do you say that? There is enough for everyone." The same attendant came over and looked into the pot — it was nearly full to the brim. It was an open miracle.

On Motzei Shabbat, Rebbe Shayele would take a pot from the pantry and hand out food to everyone who asked. He kept feeding people, and the contents of the pot never ran out, until there was no one hungry left in the room.

When Rebbe Shayele was gravely ill and about to leave this world, he called for one of the women of the community who was in need of assistance. When she came to him, he promised her that he would take care of her, on condition that she make sure everyone attending his funeral would have enough food and drink. This was what concerned him at the very moment he was about to leave his earthly home. The woman fulfilled his final wish, and she was provided for the rest of her life.

Segula for Parnassah — Tefillat Baal Maftei'ach Parnasa

On 3 Iyar Rebbe Shayele left this world. He himself was one who gave himself entirely to gemilut chassadim — and before departing this world he asked: "Be my partners in gemilut chassadim, and I will pray to open for you the gates of parnassah"!

The Key to Parnassah is in his hands. Tzadikim composed a special prayer for the Yom Hillula of Rebbe Shayele of Kerestir, which has brought about many yeshuot around the world. This is the "Tefillat Baal Maftei'ach Parnasa."

Segula against mice: A portrait of Rabbi Shayele of Kerestir is a segula against mice. The Rebbe promised that no house or building where his portrait is kept will suffer from mice.

(https://kerestir.org.il/?lang=en)Read more)