Chaptzem Blog!      

A funeral procession was held in the village Thursday afternoon for the eldest son of the Viznitz grand rabbi.

 

Rabbi Pinchus Shulem Hager, 67, known for performing Hasidic Jewish weddings, died Thursday morning following back surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, Kaser Deputy Mayor Shlomo Koenig said.

 

His father, Grand Rabbi Mordechai Hager, is the dynastic leader of the worldwide Viznitz Hasidic community. The grand rabbi lives in Kaser village, while his son lived in Borough Park, Brooklyn. Pinchus Hager's funeral was held in Brooklyn and he was to be buried in the Viznitz Cemetery on Route 306, near the Brick Church Cemetery in Monsey.

 

Under Jewish tradition, a person is buried within 24 hours of death, if possible.

 

Koenig, a Rockland County deputy sheriff, said Rabbi Pinchus Hager went about his rabbinical duties, steering clear of the politics and controversies that sometimes involved community leaders.

 

Rabbi Pinchus Shulem Hager and his wife had eight children and numerous grandchildren. The Hagers also are related through marriage to the Twersky family that leads the New Square Hasidic community.

 

"He was a really nice person, very easygoing," Koenig said. "He did all the wedding processions for the community. He led the prayers in synagogue. He stayed away from controversies."