"The Rebbe of Vizhnitz admired the people of religious Zionism"

In a conversation with the head of the preparatory school in Beitar, Rabbi Moshe Hager-Lau, he talks about his father's cousin, the Rebbe of Vizhnitz, who passed away yesterday. "His attitude towards religious Zionism was positive. He abolished the Mizrahi and said they would disappear, but he had an attitude of admiration for the people of Gush Emunim, and instructed his students to learn from them how to be strict with the mitzvot."

Aryeh Yoeli , Srugim News All credit goes to the Author and the Srugim Website14.03.12 13:58 20th of Adar 5772

  Admired Gush Emunim. (Shuki Lerer, courtesy of the Prime Minister's Spokesperson's Office)

This evening, Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager, the late Rebbe of Vizhnitz, passed away at the age of 96.

The one who knew him closely was Rabbi Moshe Hager-Lau, head of the pre-military preparatory school in Beit Yatir, whose Rebbe was his father's cousin.

In a conversation with 'Srugim. ' he talks about the character of the Rebbe and his attitude towards religious Zionism.

"The Rebbe was a tremendous scholar compared to other Hasidic rabbis," says Rabbi Hager-Lau. "I knew him when he would come to Arad. He would immediately open a book and start studying."

In this context, Rabbi Hagar-Lau, a Moft associated with the Rebbe, adds: "The book would always open to him on the page he was looking for, always. He didn't have to flip through, even if he was looking for a specific addition on one of the pages, he would arrive at the correct page upon opening the book."

Regarding the Rebbe's approach to leading his followers, Rabbi Hagar-Lau says that his main concern was with education and not with performing miracles.

"The Rebbe was always concerned with education. He had a sign in his room that read, 'Beware of the poor children from whom Torah will come forth.'"

"He reestablished the branch of Hasidism in the second generation after the Holocaust, and always adhered to discipline, honor, and respect for parents."

However, the Rebbe did not refrain from advising and encouraging people in their troubles. "Every evening, hundreds of people with troubles would come to him, so that he could help them with advice or a blessing," the rabbi says.

Admired Gush Emunim

The Rebbe divided his attitude towards religious Zionism into two, between the Mizrahi people, whom he treated with disdain, and the Gush Emunim people, whom he respected.

"His attitude towards religious Zionism was positive. He abolished Mizrahi and said they would disappear, but he had an attitude of admiration for the people of Gush Emunim, and instructed his students to learn from them how to be strict in observing the commandments."

The Rebbe often said: "A group of believers, supreme and supreme."

Rabbi Hager-Lau calls the Rebbe's views right-wing. "He was always concerned about the security situation of the Jewish people, probably because he was a Holocaust survivor."

"He was in contact with Arik Sharon for years and opposed disengagement. I personally would inform him of the data and update him on security developments," says Rabbi Hager-Lau, himself an officer with the rank of colonel.

In recent years, the Rebbe has suffered from Alzheimer's and his functioning has gradually weakened, but the personal connection between the two families has been maintained. Rabbi Hager-Lao says that when he was sitting in prayer for his father about two months ago, the Rebbe's two sons came to comfort him.

The Yesha Council is also mourning the passing of the Rebbe. In a statement of mourning they issued, the Yesha Council says that they mourn together with the Beit Hasidut Vizhnitz and the entire people of Israel. "The Rebbe, who was known for his appreciation and affection for the people of the Yesha settlement, will be remembered favorably not only as someone who established Torah and many students, but also as someone who supported and strengthened the building of the country, and opposed any act that could have damaged its building."

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The Rebbe's funeral procession left at 1:00 PM from Kiryat Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak, with tens of thousands of Vizhnitz followers expected to attend the funeral.