Friday, March 16, 2018
Viznitz Grand Rebbe Mordechai Hager of Monsey dead at 95
Rabbi Mordechai Hager, the grand rabbi and spiritual leader of the Viznitz Hasidim in Kaser-Monsey, has died at Mount Sinai Hospital. He was 95 years old.
Hager was the fifth rebbe, or leader, of the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty, which is named after a town in modern-day Ukraine where the sect began. He was born in 1922 and was believed to be the world's oldest Hasidic leader.
Hager's father, Rebbe Chaim Meir Hager, led the Vizhnitz sect in the period after the Holocaust, dying in 1972. Leadership of the sect was then split between two sons. Rabbi Mordechai Hager became Rebbe in New York and Rabbi Yehoshua Hager became Rebbe in Bnei Brak, an Israeli city and Hasidic center. Yehoshua Hager died five years ago, at 95.
In a Hasidic world dedicated to study of Torah, Rebbe Mordechai Hager was known for his many daily hours of study.
A tweet send before 8 a.m. showed men digging the rebbe's grave. According to Google Translate, the text of the tweet reads: "Digging the grave of the Vizhnitz Rebbe of Monsey in a tent in the house of life in Monsey."
His wife, Simi Mirel Hager, died in 2005 at the age of 76. She was also sister of Grand Rebbe David Twersky of New Square.
Hager's eldest son, Rabbi Pinchus Shulem Hager, died in 2015 at the age of 67. Known for performing Hasidic Jewish weddings, his funeral in Brooklyn was attended by thousands of mourners. He was buried in the Viznitz Cemetery in Monsey.
Rebbe Mordechai Hager's funeral is planned for today. Thousands are expected, with standstill traffic anticipated in the community.
The Ramapo Police Department said on its Facebook page that extensive traffic congestion is expected in Monsey for the next hours because of the funeral. Police are urging drivers to avoid the area.
Ramapo Police Chief Brad Weidel said the department has implemented its extensive operational plan, as thousands are expected to attend the funeral and procession to the cemetery.
Weidel said to anticipate traffic congestion and road closures today. Spring Valley police said they are helping Ramapo police with traffic control and road closures.
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