Vizhnitz is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager. Vizhnitz (ויז׳ניץ or וויזשניץ) is the Yiddish name of Vyzhnytsia, a town in present-day Ukraine (then, a village in Austrian Bukovina).
 The Hasidic synagogue in Vyzhnytsia | |
| Founder | |
|---|---|
| Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Canada, Romania, Ukraine | |
| Religions | |
| Hasidic Judaism |
Followers of the rebbes of Vizhnitz are called Vizhnitzer Hasidim.
History
editThe Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty is a branch of Kosov Hasidism, founded by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kosov, author of the "Ahavat Shalom." Rabbi Menachem Mendel was the son of Rabbi Yaakov Koppel Hasid (a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov) and a disciple of Rabbi Zev Wolf of Cherni-Ostrog, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna, Rabbi Meshulam Feivush Heller of Zbarizh, and others. Rabbi Zev Wolf promised him in one of his letters:
His kingship will be renewed, both for him and for his household, and it will not leave his sons and descendants forever.
After his death in 1825 (תקפ"ו), his son, Rabbi Chaim Hager, author of "Toras Chaim," succeeded him as Rebbe. After his death in 1854 (Hebrew year תרי"ד), his son Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz, son-in-law of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, became the Rebbe until 1884 (Hebrew year תרמ"ה).
After him, his son Rabbi Boruch of Vizhnitz, author of "Imrei Boruch," became the Rebbe. Rabbi Boruch had nine sons, most of whom served as Rebbes in towns near Vizhnitz in Bukovina and Galicia. After his death in 1893 (Hebrew year תרנ"ג), his son, Rabbi Yisroel Hager, author of "Ahavas Yisroel," succeeded him as Rebbe. During World War I, he relocated with his followers from Vizhnitz to Oradea (formerly known as Grosswardein). He died in 1936 (Hebrew year תרצ"ו).
Four of his sons served as Rebbes after his death. His eldest son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, author of "She'erit Menachem," settled in Vișeu de Sus and served as both Rebbe and Rosh Yeshiva. He died in 1941 (Hebrew year תש"א) and was succeeded by his son Rabbi Boruch, who perished in the Holocaust. Rabbi Boruch's daughter, Tzipora, married after the Holocaust to Talmud scholar Prof. David Halivni. Three other sons of the "Ahavas Yisroel" served as Rebbes and public leaders in Romania and Bukovina. Rabbi Chaim Meir succeeded his father in Grosswardein, Rabbi Eliezer served as Rosh Yeshiva and Rebbe in Vizhnitz, and Rabbi Boruch served as Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva and later as Rebbe in Siret. After the Holocaust, all three moved to Israel and settled there.
It is customary in the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty that no eulogy is given at the funeral of the Rebbe.[1] After the Rebbe's death, all the sons become Rebbes.
Another Hasidic dynasty influenced by Vizhnitz is Toldos Avraham Yitzchak, whose Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kohn, was a student at the Vizhnitz Yeshiva and a follower of Rabbi Chaim Meir.[2]
Dynastic leadership
editMenachem Mendel Hager
editMenachem Mendel Hager was born on May 17, 1830, in Kosiv, now in Western Ukraine. He was the son of Rabbi Chaim Hager of Kosiv, the grandson of Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov, his namesake, and the son-in-law of Rabbi Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn. He was appointed Rebbe at the age of 24, and soon after, he moved to Vyzhnytsia, a small town close to Kosiv. As his reputation grew, so did his followers. He became known and admired for his charitable acts, sincerity in prayer, and love for Eretz Yisrael. In his older years, he endeavored to emigrate there. He had two sons, Reb Boruch and another, Reb Yaakov Dovid, who died during his lifetime. His son-in-law was the son of Rabbi Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz, Reb Shmuel of Sokal. His Torah thoughts were published under the title Tzemach Tzaddik. He died on October 18, 1884, and was buried in Vyzhnytsia. His son Reb Boruch took his place, becoming the second Rebbe of Vizhnitz.
Boruch Hager
editBoruch Hager was born in 1845 and was named after Rabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh at the behest of his grandfather, Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn. In 1885, aged 40, he inherited the mantle of leadership from his father, Menachem Mendel Hager, and became rebbe to thousands of Hasidim. He led them for only eight years until his death in 1892. His Torah thoughts were collected in Imrei Boruch by his son-in-law. Eight of his sons became rebbes in different locals: His eldest, Reb Yisroel, succeeded him in Vyzhnytsia; Reb Chaim became rebbe in Ottynia; Reb Moshe in Suceava; Reb Shmuel Avrohom Abba in Horodenka; Reb Yaakov Yitzchok Dovid in Storozhynets; Reb Pinchos in Borsha; Reb Feivish in Zelishtshik; Reb Yechiel Michel succeeded his brother in Horodenka. Another son, Reb Sholom, died in his youth. His sons-in-law were Reb Shmuel Dov Chodorov of Petriva; Reb Mordechai Chodorov of Kolomea, who published Imrey Boruch; Reb Sholom Yosef Friedman of Sadigur-Chernovitz. He was good.
Yisroel Hager
editYisroel Hager was born on August 20, 1860. He was the first-born son of Rabbi Boruch Hager. He married the daughter of Rabbi Meir Horowitz of Dzhikov. In 1875, he moved to his father-in-law's house and studied at great length with his brother-in-law Rabbi Yehoshua of Dzikov. Three years later he returned to Vyzhnytsia and became very close to his grandfather, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager. In 1893 he was appointed as rebbe in Vyzhnytsia. The young rebbe invigorated the dynasty and attracted many more followers from the surrounding provinces. He established many Talmud Torahs, and also a yeshiva, to which he appointed his son Rabbi Menachem Mendel as rosh yeshiva. When World War I broke out he was forced to move to Grosswardein (Oradea). He lived there until his death on 2 June 1936.[3] In 1949, his remains were transferred to Israel and re-interred in Zichron Meir, Bnei Brak.
Hager had 5 sons and six daughters. Four of his sons became Rebbes:
- Reb Menachem Mendel of Visheve
- Reb Chaim Meir (Chayim Meir'l), who inherited his father's position in Grosswardein
- Reb Eliezer of Vyzhnytsia, author of Demesek Eliezer
- Reb Boruch of Siret, founder of the Seret-Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty
Chaim Meir Hager
editAfter the Holocaust, Reb Chaim Meir settled in Bnei Brak, Israel, to build a community there. Disciples from pre-war Europe gathered around him, and formed a comprehensive net of educational and communal institutions. He became a spiritual mentor of the Agudas Yisrael party in the Israeli Knesset. Agudas Yisrael won substantial government aid for Bnei Brak and affiliated communities, in return for its support in coalition governments.[4]
Reb Chaim Meir had two sons: the older Moshe Yehoshua (Reb Moshelle), and the younger Mordechai (Reb Mottele).[4]
Reb Chaim Meir's sons-in-law include Rabbis Yidele Horowitz, Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss (both were married to Reb Chaim Meir's daughter, Miriam),[5] Moshe Ernster and Yisrael Friedman (married to Reb Chaim Meir's daughter, Tziporah. Their son is Hoshea Friedman).[6]
Moshe Yehoshua Hager
editRabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager, was the Vizhnitser Rebbe in Bnei Brak. He died on March 13, 2012, aged 95.[7] He had two sons and four daughters. His elder son is Rabbi Yisroel, named after his grandfather, the "Ahavas Yisroel"; his other son is Rabbi Menachem Mendel, named after the founding Vizhnitzer Rebbe, author of Tzemach Tzaddik. Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua's sons-in-law are famous rabbis. The eldest daughter married Rabbi David Twersky, the Skverer Rebbe of New Square, New York. One daughter married Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach, the Belzer Rebbe from Jerusalem. One daughter married Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe from Kiryas Joel, New York. The youngest daughter married Rabbi Menachem Ernster, the rosh yeshiva of the Vizhnitz Yeshiva in Bnei Brak.[8]
Mordechai Hager
edit
Rabbi Mordechai Hager, born in 1922, was the Vizhnitzer Rebbe in Monsey until his death in 2018.[9][10] Following the death of his father Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager of Bnei Brak, Israel, thousands of Vizhnitz hasidim followed him. When he died he was the oldest hasidic rabbi in the world. He was known for his devotion to learning Torah: he studied 18 hours a day and asked his Chasidim to study at least two hours every day. He had about 3,000 to 5,000 followers internationally.[11]
Rabbi Mordechai died on March 16, 2018 (29 Adar 5778), at Mount Sinai Hospital.[12] The funeral was held with the attendance of 100,000 mourners.[13] He was buried in the Vishnitzer Cemetery in Monsey, New York.[14] Rabbi Mordechai bore 14 children, 8 sons and 6 daughters. His sons and grandson serve as leaders of his followers in the United States and internationally: Rabbi Yisroel in Monsey, New York; Rabbi Mendel in Kiamesha Lake, New York; and Rabbi Yitzchok Yochonon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The other sons serve internationally: Rabbi Eliezer in Jerusalem, Israel or in Lakewood; Rabbi Dovid in London; Rabbi Aharon in Canada headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, his youngest son, Rabbi Buroch Shamshon, in Beit Shemesh, Israel; and his grandson Rabbi Yakov Yosef, son of eldest son Rabbi Pinchus Shulem, in Boro Park, Brooklyn.
Lineage of the Vizhnitz-Kosov dynasty
edit| Yisroel ben Eliezer (1698–1760) The Baal Shem Tov | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yaakov Koppel Chossid of Kolomyia (disciple of the Baal Shem Tov) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov Ahavas Shalom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chaim Hager of Kosov Toras Chaim | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yaakov Shimshon Hager of Kosov | Yosef Alter Hager of Radevitz (1820–1879) (son-in-law of Moshe Zvi of Savran) | Menachem Mendel Hager, 1st Rebbe of Vizhnitz Tzemach Tzadik (1830-1884) (son in law of Reb Yisroel of Ruzhin)  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boruch Hager 2nd Rebbe of Vizhnitz Imrei Boruch (1845-1892) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yisroel Hager 3rd Rebbe of Vizhnitz Ahavas Yisroel (1860–1936) | Chaim Hager of Ottynia Tal Chaim (1863–1931) | Moshe Hager of Shotz | Shmuel Avrohom Abo Hager of Horodenka | Yitschok Yaakov Dovid Hager of Storozhynets (1866–1932) | Pinchos Hager of Borsha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Menachem Mendl Hager Rov of Visheve (1886–1941) | Chaim Meir Hager 4th Rebbe of Vizhnitz Imrei Chaim (1888-1972)  | Eliezer Hager Damesek Eliezer (1890–1945) | Baruch Hager Vizhnitz Rebbe in Seret and Haifa Mekor Baruch (1895-1963) | Israel Shalom Joseph Hager Rebbe of Stanisławów | Menachem Mendel Hager Rebbe of Ottynia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moshe Yehoshua Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Yeshuas Moishe Bnei Brak (1916–2012) | Mordechai Hager Rebbe of Vizhnitz Toras Mordechai Monsey (1922-2018) | Eliezer Hager Rebbe of Seret-Vizhnitz in Haifa  | Moshe Hager previous Rosh Yeshivah of Seret-Vizhnitz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yisroel Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Bnei Brak | Mennachem Mendel Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Bnei Brak | Pinches Shulem Hager, "Ohr Shulem" Vizhnitz Rov In Borough Park (1948–2015) (died prior to his father and did not become Rebbe) | Yisroel Hager, Rabbi of Viznitz Monsey | Menachem Mendel Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Kiamesha Lake | Yitzchok Yochonon Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Williamsburg | Eliezer Zev Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Jerusalem and Lakewood lives currently in Boro Park New York | Duvid Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz London | Aharon Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Montreal | Boruch Shamshon Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Beit Shemesh | Yaakov Hager Rebbe of Seret-Vizhnitz in Haifa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yaakov Yoseph Hager, Rebbe of Vizhnitz Borough Park | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Weisberg, Moshe (March 17, 2018). "Thousands Accompany Vizhnitz-Monsey Rebbe to Rest". Bechadrei Chareidim (in Hebrew).
- ^ "Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kohn – Leader of Toldos Avraham Yitzchak". Makor Rishon.
- ^ Der Israelit, 4 June 1936, p. 13 Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b The Roots of Hasidism: The Two Viznitz's (nyc-architecture.com) Archived January 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Invitation written by Reb Yisroel Hager to the wedding of his granddaughter Miriam and Reb Yidele Horowitz (in Hebrew)
- ^ Ehrlich, Aryeh (6 October 2014). "Legacy of Many Threads". Mishpacha (530). Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ Rabbi Moshe Hager, a Hasidic Leader, Dies at 95
- ^ Benari, Elad (14 March 2012). "Vizhnitzer Rebbe Passes Away at 95". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 19 March 2012. The head rabbis, also known as Admorim (Hebrew: אדמו"ר, which is the acronym for "אדונינו מורינו ורבינו" "Adoneinu Moreinu V'Rabeinu", "our master, our teacher, and our rabbi"), are located currently in Bnei Brak and Haifa in Israel, and in Monsey, New York. Rabbi Yisroel Hager has inherited his father's community. He is known for his love and devotion to עם ישראל, just like his great grand father who he's named after. He has around 7,500 followers worldwide. He has three sons and four daughters; his oldest son, Rabbi Chaim Meir, leads a kehilla in Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York. His other two sons live in Bnei Brak; his oldest daughter married Rabbi Boruch Shamshon Hager, son of the Viznitzer Rebbe in Beit Shemesh; his second daughter married Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Meizlish, Rav of shikun Satmar in Bnei Brak; his third daughter is married to Reb Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum from Beit Shemesh; and his youngest daughter is married to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager from Bnei Brak.
- ^ "Vizhnitz Simcha Complications". 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Second Vizhnitz Rebbe Falls Ill". Israel National News. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
- ^ Berger, Joseph (2018-03-16). "Rabbi Mordechai Hager, Leader of Large Hasidic Sect, Dies at 95". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Harav Mordechai Hager, Zt"l - Hamodia.com". hamodia.com. 16 March 2018.
- ^ "Mourners say final farewell to grand rabbi in Monsey".
- ^ "BORUCH DAYAN HA'EMMES: Levaya of Vishnitzer Rebbe of Monsey ZATZAL [UPDATED 12:00PM]". 16 March 2018.
External links
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