Jerusalem – Thousands of Chasidim turned out in Haifa and Bnei Brak today to pay their respects to Reb Eliezer Hager, the Seret-Vizhnitz Rebbe, who died yesterday at the age of 91.
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The Haifa levaya took place in the Vizhnitz beis medrash in Haifa where, as previously reported on VIN News, Rabbi Hager led the Seret-Vizhnitzer chasidim for over 50 years. Rabbi Hager was brought to the beis medrash last night, where tearful Chasidim came to say Tehillim by their beloved rebbe, as reported by B’Chadrei Chareidim.
The levaya began this afternoon with Tehillim, led by Rabbi Yaakov Deutsch. Among those who came to honor Rabbi Hager were the Rebbes of Sanz, Slonim and Modztiz in addition to numerous Rebbes and rabbonim. Rabbi Yaakov Hager, the Rebbe’s only son, made the bracha of Dayan Haemes out loud before tearing kriya, his actions mirrored afterwards by the many Chasidim who were present. As per the Vizhnitz custom, there were no hespedim at the levaya.
The procession, which included the Gerrer Rebbe, then traveled to Bnei Brak, where streets had been closed since 6:30, with second levaya starting at 10:30 PM in the Seret-Vizhnitz beis medrash. Following the funeral, thousands of people filled Rechov Chazon Ish to pay a final tribute to the Rebbe on his way to the Vizhnitzer section of the Shomrei Shabbos Zichron Meir beis olam, where he was laid to rest near his father and grandfather.. Among those who gathered for the levaya were Reb Aaron Leib Shteinman, Reb Dovid Povarsky, Reb Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rabbi David Lau and many other prominent rabbonim and roshei yeshiva.
Rabbi Yaakov Hager is expected to be appointed to succeed his father.
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