Yisrael Hager

Rabbi Yisrael Hager (born 1945/5705) is a Hasidic Rebbe who serves as the Rebbe of the Vizhnitz court. The Rebbe is considered a supporter of Chabad who encourages his chassidim to study the teachings of the Rebbe, and he himself feels a spiritual connection to the Rebbe, something that is expressed in the way he leads his court, and in the words of the Rebbe which he incorporates in the "tishes" he conducts.

Life History[edit | edit source]

Born on 6 Iyar 5705 to Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua Hager of Vizhnitz. He is the son-in-law of Rabbi Meshulam Zusia Twersky of Chernobyl. After his father's passing on 20 Adar 5772, most of the chassidim supported his appointment as his father's successor to the position of Rebbe. He forbade the use of the title "His Holy Honor" in reference to himself.

Meetings with the Rebbe[edit | edit source]

In Private Audience in the Rebbe's Room[edit | edit source]

On 22 Tevet 5744, he had a special private audience with the Rebbe which he tends to mention from time to time. The Rebbe arrived at approximately 8:00 in the evening and entered for yechidus accompanied by his brother-in-law Rabbi Twersky (son of the Rebbe of Chernobyl zt"l) and two additional young men. Members of the secretariat - Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner, and Rabbi Yerachmiel Binyamin Klein also entered. After about half an hour, those present left and he remained alone with the Rebbe. After another half hour, the yechidus ended. At his request, the yechidus was not recorded.

The content of the first half:

At the beginning of the conversation, the Rebbe asked to hear words of Torah from the Holy Land. Afterward, the Rebbe encouraged them regarding the printing of Chassidic writings of the Vizhnitz dynasty and said that he received a siddur they published with some additions, and that they should have printed much more. The Rebbe also told how the Rebbe Rashab prevented his son, the Rayatz, from printing his writings and those of his father, the Rebbe Maharash, despite knowing the great desire and passion for it. But the Rebbe Rayatz engaged in printing and disseminating Chassidus abundantly (though only after coming to the United States). Also during the Holocaust - Rachmana litzlan - it was proven that those who did not agree to print their words and perished - Hashem yikom damam - their writings were lost, while those who gave their writings to print, they exist to this day.

Regarding the customs printed in the above-mentioned siddur, the Rebbe remarked that there is a need to print all of them, because as a result of chassidim being dispersed in different places, a situation arose where when a boy becomes "bar mitzvah," he does not know how to conduct himself in practice, and his father does not know how to instruct him... There needs to be "the custom of your fathers in your hands"...

As the conversation continued, they spoke about the Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe. Someone present mentioned that there is a tradition that the Alter Rebbe composed the "Mahadura Batra" before the "Mahadura Kama," to which the Rebbe commented that there is no basis for saying this according to what is related in the "Introduction by the sons of the Gaon author," as the beginning of the composition of the Shulchan Aruch was when the Alter Rebbe was with the Maggid of Mezritch, and also, the Rebbe added, typically one writes first the "Mahadura Kama" and afterwards the "Mahadura Batra"... The Rebbe also said that by Divine Providence only four sections from the "Mahadura Batra" remained and they begin with "Yehuda (ben Teima)...," with the name of Havaye - and there is a hint in this that the beginning of the creation of the world was with the name Elokim ("In the beginning Elokim created"), but one should strive to reach the name Havaye.

Regarding the content of the yechidus, the Rebbe later related that the Rebbe spoke with him about matters concerning the Jewish people as a whole. According to the testimony of Rabbi Moshe David Tuvak who participated in the yechidus, the Rebbe also spoke with him about the "Who is a Jew" law. Among other things, the Rebbe promised him that he would return to his greatness and the Rebbe mentioned the verse "Though your beginning was small, your end will increase abundantly."

In Condolence Visit After the Passing of the Rebbetzin[edit | edit source]

On 27 Shevat 5748, during the shiva for Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, he came to comfort the Rebbe who was staying at his home on President Street. On this occasion, the Rebbe told him, "There needs to be 'the air of the Eretz Yisrael,' starting from every fortress; every fortress immediately receives a connection with the Eretz Yisrael through 'the air of the Eretz Yisrael' - the caves abroad that lead to the Eretz Yisrael. May it be very soon, and may it be with physical eyes, and 'Awaken and sing, you who dwell in the dust,' and everyone meets in the Holy Land, with joy and gladness of heart." Later, he noted his impression from this visit of the simplicity and modesty of the home.

At the Dollar Distribution[edit | edit source]

On 20 Sivan 5751, he passed by together with Rabbi Aharon Shapira. When they approached the Rebbe, the Rebbe gave Rabbi Shapira a dollar and the secretary Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner said that this is "Shapira from the Eretz Yisrael," the Rebbe responded with a smile that "Eretz Yisrael" is not a distinguishing sign and the secretary said that he is from Pardess Katz, and then the Rebbe gave him another dollar saying: "For spreading the wellsprings in Bnei Brak very soon." After they passed, the Rebbe expressed his astonishment that the Rebbe remembered that Pardess Katz is a neighborhood within Bnei Brak... When secretary Rabbi Groner introduced him, the Rebbe blessed him: "Blessing and success." He presented his son saying that he recently became engaged and the Rebbe blessed him: "May it be at a good time, and an everlasting building" and gave him a dollar for himself and a dollar "for the match, for the wedding." To the groom, the Rebbe gave two more dollars saying: "For you together with the bride, may it be an everlasting building and sons and daughters engaged in Torah and its commandments according to the teachings of Chassidus, good tidings and much success. Afterward, he presented another son saying that he is already suitable to make a match and the Rebbe asked: "Is he already after eighteen years?" and he replied: "He is in the eighteenth year," and the Rebbe answered: "Well, in these matters, 'whoever does it earlier is praiseworthy.'"

At the Dollar Distribution in the Main Zal[edit | edit source]

On 1 Tammuz 5750, he passed at the beginning of the dollar distribution in the main Zal which took place after the evening prayer, and when he approached, he quietly requested something for several long moments, and the Rebbe blessed: "Good tidings, in visible and revealed good, may he be healthy," gave him another dollar and added: "Good tidings, doubly for success."

His Connection with Chabad[edit | edit source]

The Admor (Rebbe) says that by studying the Tanya, one receives a clearer and deeper understanding of all Chassidic texts, and indeed he has extensive knowledge in Chabad Chassidus and in the Rebbe's teachings.

In 5758 (1998), during a "tish" (Chassidic gathering), he told a special miracle story about the Rebbe, which was later published in the book "Rabos Moftai" (Many of My Wonders). Similarly, before every special date in Chabad Chassidus, he speaks about the specific event and about Chabad in general.

In 5769 (2009) on 3 Tammuz, at the central farbrengen (gathering) held in Shikun Vizhnitz every Friday night, attended by thousands of Chassidim, he began with the niggun (melody) "Tzama Lecha Nafshi" (My soul thirsts for You), and afterward said: "The Rebbe's magnificent enterprise for all of Israel wherever they may be, namely the Shlichus (emissary) program, where thousands of Jews, businesspeople, etc., who travel to various remote countries around the world, find in Chabad Houses places to pray, learn, and taste kosher food of the highest standard. And not only in remote countries, but also in large countries like the United States, where the shluchim (emissaries) bring close countless Jews who wander around seeking meaning in their lives, and through this great activity, they gradually return to their roots.

This is in addition to the Rebbe's exalted holiness, as it is told that even when he was a young man staying in European countries, the holy Rabbi Aharon of Belz was passing through that country. The local Jews hurried to greet him. The holy Rabbi of Belz sat with his head bowed down, as was his holy custom, and extended his hand to those who came. When the Lubavitcher Rebbe approached, the holy Rabbi of Belz raised his head, looked at him, and remarked: 'These are pure and holy hands.'"

At the conclusion of his talk, the Admor instructed the Vizhnitz choir to sing the "Daled Bavos" (Four Stanzas) niggun of the Alter Rebbe.

In Kislev 5770 (2009), he participated in a meeting with Rabbi Yoel Kahn, in which they extensively discussed broad topics in Chassidic teachings according to Chabad Chassidus, such as instilling simple faith in every Jew and the virtue of studying Chassidic texts. The meetings were also attended by the Rosh Yeshiva of Vizhnitz, Rabbi Menachem Ernster, and the mashpi'im (spiritual mentors) Rabbi Avraham Mendel Vechter and Rabbi Aharon Shapira.

In Nissan 5774 (2014), he received a Chabad delegation at his residence and discussed with them his visit to the Rebbe. He related that on the Shabbos before their visit, he mentioned during his tish the Rashab (5th Lubavitcher Rebbe) and his approach toward the Temimim (Chabad yeshiva students). He also mentioned the story told by the Rayatz (6th Lubavitcher Rebbe) about a Tomim (yeshiva student) whose face became refined and gentle due to his diligent preparations for Pesach. Additionally, he sent his blessing to those participating in the farbrengen for 11 Nissan (the Rebbe's birthday).

In Nissan 5783 (2023), he served as sandak (godfather) at a bris for one of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Teichman's associates. At the seudas mitzvah (celebratory meal) held afterward, he ordered Chabad niggunim to be sung.

In Adar 5785 (2025), when he was not feeling well, he opened a Likkutei Sichos book randomly as a sign regarding his condition. The book opened to the words "Netzach Yisrael" (The Eternal One of Israel) which include his name. His son shared this at a public event of Vizhnitz Chassidim.

External Links[edit | edit source]

Rabbi Yoel's visit to the Admor on the website
Chabad niggun at a Vizhnitz 'tish'
The Rav told Vizhnitz Chassidim about "the Rebbe's mighty power"
During the Chabad delegation's visit: The Vizhnitzer Rebbe revealed details from the 'yechidus' (private audience)