Satmar is a sect of
Hasidism, named for the city of
Satu Mare, in present-day
Romania. Satmar was founded by
Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum (1887-1979), diminutively known as Reb Yoilish. Its current Grand Rabbi is his nephew,
Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum.
Reb Yoilish's major work was the
Kuntress (pamphlet) "
Vayoel Moshe", in which he emphasized the importance of the Three Oaths which the Jews metaphorically or literally swore to God upon being sent into
galus. One of these was the promise not to "storm the gates" and found a pre-
messianic Jewish state. Satmar Hasidim today are probably best known among other Jews for their outspoken opposition to the existence of the state of
Israel.
There are currently an estimated 45,000 Satmar Hasidim in
Williamsburg, Brooklyn*, and there is also a Satmar outpost in
Far Rockaway, Queens. Within the Satmar community, there are many
charitable organizations, including one which
visits and brings kosher food to hospital patients. There is even a bus line,
Ezras Cholim DiSatmar, which runs exclusively between the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Williamsburg,
Boro Park, and
Flatbush, and six Manhattan hospitals.
*http://www.pbs.org/alifeapart/intro.html
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