His nickname, Reb Moshe New Yorker, came about because of the following incident:
One day in the Satmar Bais Medrash around Mincha time for Rav Yoel’s minyan, in walked a stranger and went to the back of the shul, where he began reciting korbonos with the tzibbur.
Only the Rebbe seemed to notice him, and he approached the stranger and offered his holy hand in greeting. “Shulem Aleichem, vi’azoi hayst a Yid – what is your name?”
He answered simply and enigmatically, “Moshe.”
“Fun vi – from where?” continued the Satmar Rav to inquire.
“Fun New York – from New York,” was the simple reply! And as he did not elaborate any further, the nickname stuck – Reb Moshe New Yorker.
Onlookers present remarked how uncharacteristic it was for the Satmar Rav to have walked all the way to the other side of the Bais Medrash to greet a stranger, unless... implying he was a man of hidden qualities.
