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On the anniversary of the death of the famous rabbi Reb Steiner Saje (1851–1925), who died almost 100 years ago, people mostly come from America, Israel, England, Belgium, South Africa and Australia to the local settlement. Miracles and miracle rabbis are central to Hasidic pilgrimages. It is a phenomenon that exists mainly in Central and Eastern Europe, that masses of Hasidic Jews in Hungary, this number has been increasing every year since 2010 – every year they visit the graves of miracle rabbis and rebbes. They believe that the prayer said at the graves and the “request note” placed there have a better chance of being heard by God, especially on the day when the miracle rabbi died. The miracle rabbi Reb Sájele was not only famous for his healings, teachings and donations, but the spiritual teachings of the Jew also play an extremely important role in the lives of his followers.
The legacy of the miracle rabbi was taken up by three groups, the Goldmann, Rubin and Gross families, the most direct descendants. They are taking care of, and have even begun to renovate, the Rabbi House founded in the 19th century that is located on the side of Dereszla hill  and his grave is at the Jewish cemetery. His admirers also built an “ÓHEL” (tent-shape grave) in  remembering him.
The goal is to preserve tradition and keep religious tourism alive, and it all works on a non-profit basis.

The event is organized by the rabbi’s grandson’s family living in the United States with its foundation.  At this time of year however, the locals find it quite difficult to cope with the heavy traffic that comes with the pilgrimage.

The organizer and host of the event, which lasts for several days and significantly determines the life of the settlement economically, is connection to the Keren Menachen Foundation, founded by the descendant of the miracle rabbi, Rubin Shaye, and his family, which slowly, with the participation of the fourth generation, tries to introduce the world to the teachings of the rabbi of Bodrogkeresztúr and the tradition of visiting the grave.

Last year it was missed, but this year the annual pilgrimage of Orthodox Hasidic Jews to Bodrogkeresztúr was held and nearly 70000 people came more than ever before to commemorate the memory and his influential teachings.

Update & photo by Aggie Reiter