Thousands gathered in Kiryas Joel early Tuesday for the burial of Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum.

Teitelbaum, the rebbe, or grand rabbi, of Satmar Hassidim since 1980, died Monday at the age of 91 at Mount Sinai Hospital. After a service in a Brooklyn synagogue, Teitelbaum?s body was taken to the town of Kiryas Joel in upstate New York for burial.

Hundreds of mourners packed a Kiryas Joel village synagogue for a service before Teitelbaum was buried. Only family and close associates of the rebbe were allowed inside the graveyard in Kiryas Joel.

Teitelbaum took over leadership of the Satmar sect from his uncle in 1979 and took the formal title of rebbe the following year. The question of who will succed the rebbe now looms high. Religious authorities say that in his will, Teitelbaum recognized Zalmen Teitelbaum, the third of his four sons, as the next grand rabbi. But the decision, announced by the Satmars' Rabbinical Court, is unlikely to settle the issue of succession that has pitted Zalmen Teitelbaum, against the eldest brother, Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum.

Related Information:Satmar Hassidim leader Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum dies at 91