First Yahrtzeit of Yeshuos Moshe of Vizhnitz, zy”a, to Be Marked on Shabbos

The Yeshuos Moshe, Harav Moshe Yehoshua Hager, was the son of the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz, zy”a. Already during his father’s lifetime, he was the Rosh Yeshivah of the yeshivos of Vizhnitz, and was known as a phenomenal mechanech. When his father passed away in 5732/1972, he succeeded him as Rebbe, leading his flock for the next forty years. He was the Nasi of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael, and fought tirelessly to preserve religious standards in Eretz Yisrael.

This week, a series of hisorerus gatherings were held in Vizhnitzer communities in Eretz Yisrael and around the world. Hundreds of sidrei Shas and Mishnayos were studied throughout the year, and were concluded this week. On Thursday night, a large gathering of Chassidim was held in the heichal near the central beis medrash, where elders of the Chassidus shared their memories, and Rabbanim gave chizuk to the younger generation.

Over this coming Shabbos, thousands of Chassidim from Eretz Yisrael and the world over, will converge on Bnei Brak at the courts of his sons, the Rebbes, shlita. Plans have been made to accommodate the thousands of guests for the tefillos, seudos and for sleeping arrangements. During shalosh seudos, the , Harav Yisrael, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, oldest son of the Yeshuos Moshe, will make a Siyum HaShas in honor of the yahrtzeit in the central beis medrash in Kiryat Vizhnitz, which the Rebbe established and where he lived.

On Motzoei Shabbos, an assembly will take place, attended by Rebbes, Rabbanim and family members.

On Sunday, tens of thousands are expected to visit the tziyun in the Shomrei Shabbos cemetery in Bnei Brak to daven for yeshuos for individual and communal needs, led by the Rebbe. Large tents have been erected over the tziyun, which has been renovated, to enable the masses to daven comfortably. Visitors will be allowed into the tziyun itself in a moving line for a few seconds at a time. Organizers will be in place to guide the public in and out of the structure.

A special ohel tefillah that overlooks the tziyun was also prepared for women to be able to come and daven. There are separate paths for men and women.

The Rebbe’s second son, Harav Menachem Mendel, Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, will be conducting the tischen and other Shabbos events in his beis medrash on Ezra Street. Thursday afternoon, he went with his chassidim to his father’s tziyun. After reciting the fourth sefer of Tehillim, he delivered an emotional address, stressing the terrible void that is left by the passing of the Yeshuos Moshe. Later last night, a Siyum HaShas and seudas mitzvah were held in Heichalei Malchus in Bnei Brak, led by the Rebbe.

A set of sefarim entitled Yeshuos Moshe al HaTorah has been released for the yahrtzeit, and several other sefarim about the Rebbe and his life have also been published.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the March 1st, 2013 edition of Hamodia.