The Hidden Sage of Ștefănești: A Life of Quiet Influence

Although he was a renowned figure whose blessings brought salvation to many, the Tzadik of Ștefănești had a unique and humble way of blessing people. Whenever someone came to seek his blessing, Rabbi Avraham Mattityahu Friedman would ask, "Do you have faith?" Once the questioner responded positively, he would send them on their way with the words, "Go home, and may Hashem bless you."

This phrase perhaps best symbolizes the humble nature of this righteous man. Despite the great respect he commanded from both Jews and non-Jews in Romania, and the many who flocked to his door, he was known for his deep humility. His humility persisted even as he became widely recognized as a worker of miracles.

Born on the first night of Chanukah, the 25th of Kislev 5608 (1847), he was named Avraham Mattityahu Friedman, the son of the first Rebbe of the Ștefănești Hasidic dynasty in Romania, Rabbi Menachem Nachum. His grandfather, Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin, chose his name, inspired by Rabbi Avraham the Angel and Mattityahu the High Priest (Hasmonean), symbolizing a continuation of miracles and healing for the Jewish people.

From a young age, he received a profound education in loving and studying Torah. At the age of three, his grandfather taught him the Hebrew alphabet. Upon reaching the letter Yud, his grandfather declared, "Now you have become a good Jew."

As he matured, he married twice, but sadly never had children. At thirteen, his father noted about him, "My son Mattityahu is like a tree that bears no fruit," which over time proved true.

Following his father's death, despite being the natural heir to lead the Hasidic movement, the Tzadik of Ștefănești initially refused any leadership role due to his young age. However, after repeated requests from his followers, he eventually became the second Rebbe of the Ștefănești dynasty.

The Tzadik was reclusive, rarely leaving his home except for weddings held in his courtyard and occasional visits to local Jews. Nonetheless, he wielded immense influence on both the Jewish and non-Jewish populations in Romania, as well as the government, all of whom deeply respected him. Among Romanian Jews, he was regarded as one of the thirty-six righteous individuals in the generation, often referred to as 'Marla Ravin Din Ștefănești,' meaning the great rabbi of Ștefănești.

His reputation as a miracle worker spread quickly, with many seeking his blessings and experiencing healing, chances of parenthood, and numerous stories of salvation becoming linked to his name over the years.

Known for his modest lifestyle despite his noble and majestic demeanor, he never added sugar to his tea, instead taking a half sugar cube in his mouth, and he would not use matches to light his cigarette (smoking was considered healthy then) but would use a kerosene lamp.

Aside from his personal practices, he was a devout man of prayer, often praying for hours silently. During the Mussaf prayer on Rosh Hashanah, he stood for two hours without moving, and during the Four Species shaking on Rosh Hashanah, he would pray for long periods. On regular days, he completed his morning prayers only by noon, after which food was first brought to his room. After eating a little, he would have the remainder given to the 100 select students in the study hall in his courtyard. He made sure to regularly provide for all their needs.

The Tzadik of Ștefănești was also known for his generosity, distributing charity widely and donating all the funds he received from redemptions to orphans and widows.

In his youth, he was blessed by his grandfather to have the strength of Mattityahu the Hasmonean, a blessing believed to have been physically and spiritually fulfilled in him as he reportedly never needed a doctor.

Throughout his life, he responded in writing to questions from around the world. He spoke sparingly about Torah matters and maintained his humility by studying both revealed and mystical Torah texts in the morning, always returning the books to their place so that no one would know what he studied.

In 5692 (1932), he became ill but continued his work with tireless dedication until his passing at midnight on Shabbat, the 21st of Tammuz 5693 (1933). At age 86, he kissed his tzitzit one last time and returned his pure soul to his Creator.

After his passing and during the seven-day mourning period, his followers established a yeshiva named 'Beit Avraham' in his courtyard, as per his will. The yeshiva stood until World War II, when the city was destroyed, and its Jews fled.

Thirty-six years after his passing, on the 3rd of Cheshvan 5729 (1968), his coffin was exhumed from the cemetery in Ștefănești, Romania, to be reinterred in Israel, where to the astonishment of all, his body was found completely intact.

To this day, many visit his grave at the 'Nachalat Yitzchak' cemetery, on the border between Tel Aviv and Giv'atayim, to pray and present their requests. Currently, several institutions across Israel bear his name ('Ștefănești Institutions'), including a Torah learning center, kolel, yeshiva for married men, soup kitchens, various synagogues, and even a publishing institute that includes books with stories of miracles experienced by his generation thanks to his blessings.