Autograph Letter Signed. Offering spiritual counsel to a disciple. The letters closes: “In this regard, you may disobey even an angel. Should Elijah come to change a Minhag Yisrael, one must not hearken to him.”

ROTH, AARON

Satmar (Hungary)

n.d.

Hebrew and Yiddish

R. Aaron Roth (1894-1944) was a unique phenomenon in modern Chassidism. Without tracing his lineage to one of the established dynasties, “Reb Areleh,” as he is referred to endearingly, founded an independent Chassidic sect purely by dint of personal charisma. Forerly a resident of Satmar, R. Aaron settled in Jerusalem. His devotees today, typified by their extreme piety, ecstatic prayer, and antagonism to the Zionist State of Israel, are referred to as “R. Areleh Chassidim.” His teachings are contained in his several works, including: Shomer Emunim, Shulchan ha-Tahor, Taharath ha-Kodesh, etc.