Sanz Hasidic Dynasty: From Galicia to Global Influence

The Sanz Hasidic dynasty, one of the most influential branches of Hasidic Judaism, traces its origins to Nowy Sącz (Sanz) in Galicia in approximately 1440. But the dynasty really began to take hold in 1830, when Rabbi Chaim Halberstam, author of Divrei Chaim and a leading disciple of Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz, became the head of the rabbinical court in Sanz. His leadership launched a transformative Hasidic movement rooted in Torah scholarship, chesed (acts of kindness), and spiritual leadership.

The Divrei Chaim: Rabbi Chaim Halberstam’s Legacy of Torah and Kindness

Rabbi Chaim Halberstam, known widely by the name of his work Divrei Chaim, was a towering Torah scholar, revered for his deep knowledge and his reputation as a miracle worker. He was equally known for his heartfelt compassion. One famous story tells of a struggling apple vendor. Seeing her in distress, the rabbi accompanied her to the marketplace and personally sold all her apples, restoring her livelihood through sheer personal kindness.

This balance of Torah greatness and human empathy became the defining ethos of Sanz Hasidism.

The Expansion of Sanz Hasidism Across Europe

Rabbi Chaim had six sons, each of whom carried his father’s spiritual mission to other European towns. These new branches, such as Sanz-Zmigrad and Gorlitz Hasidism, formed a network of "shoot-off dynasties” that spread the teachings and customs of the Divrei Chaim across Eastern Europe. These vibrant communities thrived until the Holocaust tragically decimated European Jewry, including many branches of the Sanz dynasty.

Rebirth After the Holocaust: Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam

After the devastation of World War II, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam, a great-grandson of the Divrei Chaim through his son Rabbi Baruch of Gorlitz, emerged as a key figure in the rebirth of Sanz Hasidism. Known for his halachic (Jewish legal) work Divrei Yatziv, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda survived the Holocaust despite the loss of his wife and eleven children.

Instead of succumbing to despair, he rebuilt his life and the dynasty. In 1955, he established Kiryat Sanz in Netanya, Israel, a thriving center of Torah, education, and healthcare that now houses over 2,500 Hasidic families.

His powerful life story is detailed in The Klausenberger Rebbe, a biography published by Artscroll.

Kiryat Sanz: A Model Haredi Community in Israel

Kiryat Sanz quickly became the beating heart of Sanz-Klausenburg Hasidism, offering a full spectrum of Torah institutions:

• Talmud Torah, yeshivot (for boys and men), and kollelim

• Girls’ schools and seminaries

• Synagogues, mikvaot (ritual baths), and batei midrash (study halls)

• A rabbinical court and banquet hall

• The Galei Sanz Hotel, in operation for over 60 years

Laniado Hospital: Healing Rooted in Faith

The crown jewel of Kiryat Sanz is the Laniado Hospital, founded by Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda in 1975. The idea originated during the Holocaust, when he vowed to build a hospital if he survived. Funded by the Laniado brothers, originally from the Syrian Jewish community in Aleppo, the hospital serves both Jewish and non-Jewish patients and operates according to strict Jewish law.

A nursing school for Haredi women, which includes religious studies, was also established alongside the hospital furthering the community’s emphasis on healthcare, Torah, and modesty.

Current Leadership: Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam and Global Outreach

Upon Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda’s passing in 1994, his son Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam assumed the role of Sanzer Rebbe. He currently leads the Hasidic court in Netanya, oversees Kiryat Sanz institutions, and serves as president of Laniado Hospital.

The Rebbe also heads the World Shas Enterprise, a major initiative promoting Talmud study, a hallmark of Sanz Hasidism. The American branch, known as Klausenburg, is led by his brother, Rabbi Shmuel David Halberstam, continuing the dynasty’s influence in the United States.

Unique Sanz Hasidic Customs

While Sanz shares many traditions with other Galician Hasidic dynasties, it preserves several distinctive practices:

• Unique prayer liturgy

• A stricter view on women performing time-bound mitzvot: Sanz women do not take the lulav on Sukkot or perform similar commandments, as they are not obligated and therefore do not recite blessings on them.

Notable Figures in the Sanz Community

One of the most well-known contemporary Sanz Hasidim is Rabbi Asher Zelig Weiss, head of the Darchei Torah rabbinical court and halachic authority at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. He is renowned for his series of books, Minchat Asher, which cover halachic responsa, aggadah, and Jewish ethics, making him a leading voice in modern halacha.

Conclusion: A Living Legacy of Torah, Compassion, and Community

From its origins in 19th-century Galicia to its modern centers in Israel, the United States, and beyond, the Sanz-Klausenburg Hasidic dynasty exemplifies resilience, faith, and a commitment to rebuilding Jewish life. With a strong emphasis on Torah learning, acts of kindness, and community service, Sanz continues to grow and inspire new generations across the globe.