Second Vishnitzer Rebbe Visits America
Rabbi Menachem Mendel, Vishnitzer Rebbe and younger son of Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager, zt”l (1916-2012), Bnei Brak Vishnitzer Rebbe and author of Yeshoas Moshe, will be arriving in New York. This will be his first visit here since last March, when his father passed away and he was thrust into leadership by his chassidim.
The late Vishnitzer Rebbe was survived by two sons and four daughters. His older son, Rabbi Yisroel and his younger son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, were anointed as Vishnitzer Rebbes, succeeding their father.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel’s chassidim had established their own huge beis medrash in Bnei Brak. Rabbi Menachem Mendel is the son-in-law of Rabbi Avrohom Dovid Horowitz, zt”l (d. 2004), Strassburger Rav and author of Kinyan Halacha B’Torah, later Jerusalem Badatz Dayan. Rabbi Menachem Mendel’s son-in-law is Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Katz, son of Rabbi Asher Anshel Katz, Vienner Rav. Rabbi Moshe Mordechai’s twin sons are reaching bar mitzvah, and their grandfather from Bnei Brak is coming to join in the double celebration to be held at the Rose Castle in Williamsburg on Wednesday evening, December 5. Thousands of chassidim were expected to attend.
The Vishnitzer Rebbe will publicly light Chanukah candles Tuesday evening, December 11, in Williamsburg. On Thursday, December 13, the rebbe will be lighting in the Five Towns in order to strengthen and inspire the Jewish communities of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns, which are recovering from Hurricane Sandy’s fury. On Motzaei Shabbos Mikeitz, December 15, the rebbe will be lighting in Boro Park.
Sunday, Zois Chanukah, December 16, will feature two main events. The rebbe will conduct the special Chanukah tisch in Boro Park and later lead in the Chanukas Habayis (inauguration) of the new Vishnitzer Beis Medrash for his chassidim in Monsey.
Zois Chanukah In Dinov, Poland
The town of Dinov (Dynov-Dinow) is located in the Lwow District of Poland. Jews are recorded as residing there as early as 1552. Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Shapiro, zt”l (1783-1841), founding Dinover and Munkatcher Rebbe and author of Bnei Yesoschor, established his chassidishe court in Dinov in 1825.
The Bnei Yesoschor writes that Zois Chanukah is a special day when prayers for conception and for livelihood are accepted. The Bnei Yesoschor composed a special tefillah for such supplication. Through the years, thousands have converged at his ohel. In recent years, the Bnei Yesoschor Foundation was established to facilitate Jews coming on pilgrimage to Dinov.
In recent years, for the first time since before World War II, large groups have been traveling to Dinov, especially for Zois Chanukah. Last year, bitterly cold weather did not prevent thousands from coming and celebrating. Praying, singing, and dancing continued for more than five hours at the ohel after Chanukah candle-lighting.
This year, Zois Chanukah is Sunday, December 16. With Chanukah candle-lighting on Motzaei Shabbos, many visitors will be in Dinov for Shabbos. The Bnei Yesoschor Foundation had outfitted its building and chartered additional facilities in Dinov to comfortably accommodate the many chassidishe pilgrims expected. The Motzaei Shabbos event, with the group recital of the Bnei Yesoschor’s special tefillah, promises to be something everyone on hand will long remember.
For special requests and for those unable to make the trip, kvitlech will be accepted in Boro Park (917-586-3689) and Williamsburg (347-219-1303, or by e-mail, [email protected]).
