10 Facts About Yisrael Spira

Yisrael Spira was born in Reisha, Galicia, southern Poland, to Yehoshua Yisrael Spira, the "Keren Yehoshua" of Ribiditsch, and Tziporah.

Yehoshua Yisrael Spira was the son of Tzvi Elimelech Yisrael Spira of Bluzhov, known by the eponym Tzvi LaTzaddik, after his major work.

Yisrael Spira married Perel Unger, the daughter of Shalom David Unger, the Zashavna Rebbe.

Yisrael Spira was ordained at the young age of thirteen by the Maharsham of Brezan.

Yisrael Spira served as the rabbi of Pruchnik, and was later appointed rabbi of Ustrzyki Dolne, near Sanok, in southeastern Poland.

Yisrael Spira relocated to the United States, at first settling in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, and later in Borough Park.

Yisrael Spira played an important role in the development of Agudath Israel of America.

Yisrael Spira was the senior member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

Rabbi Yitzchok Brandriss, spokesman for the Moetzes, said that Yisrael Spira was the oldest living Hasidic Rabbi.

Yisrael Spira was buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.