One of the great Chassidic leaders of the past generation was Rav Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam, the Admor of Klausenberg. The Kiryat Sanz community in Netanya, with all of its families, educational institutions and Laniado Hospital, is a living monument to his leadership.

In the course of securing Israel government help for this project, the rabbi once met with Prime Minister Ben Gurion, who asked him what his expectations of the Jewish state were.

"I have both maximal and minimal expectations," replied the Klausenberger. "Maximally I would like to see you wearing the Chassidic garb of a shtreimel and a bekishe.Minimally I would hope that you will allow me to wear them."

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at [email protected] and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu