Belz & Vishnitz celebrate Rosh Chodesh Tish together

B"H

The Belzer Rebbe is spending his summer vacation in Telshe Stone (outside Jerusalem) where he has a house and a community. However, yesterday he went down to Bnei Brak in order to spend a Rosh Chodesh Tish together with his in - law, the Vishnitzer Rebbe. I think it is Rebbe Israel Hager and not his Rebbe - Brother Menachem Mendel. It is always hard for me to identify the two brothers, as they look similar.

Since the old Vishnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak passed away recently, the two fighting Hager - brothers made a kind of a public peace agreement. At least in public, the two Vishnitzer groups won't fight anymore. I haven't found out more details about the deal but a Vishnitzer Chassid told me that Rebbe Menachem Mendel may have been promised something in order to keep the agreement. However, I have no further details so far.

The Belzer Rebbe to the left and the Vishnitzer Rebbe on the right.

See all pictures HERE !

The haredi world on Shavuot and Parashat BaMidbar

B"H

The English edition of the weekly haredi magazine "MISHPACHA". It goes without saying that Shavuot is one of the most mentioned topics in this week's edition. Especially all kinds of dairy foods. Furthermore, the magazine brings a report about a German convert called Chaya Nechama. 

Another huge subject is the future of Chassidut Vishnitz in Bnei Brak (near Tel Aviv). Years ago, the two brother of the old Vishnitzer Rebbe started fighting about leadership and the group split. Each brother took some of the followers with him. Just recently, the old Rebbe passed away and the brothers announced a sudden unity.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Pictures of the life of the Vishnitzer Rebbe z"l

A video about the life of Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua Hager

http://www.bhol.co.il/Article_EN.aspx?id=39043

Vishnitz Funeral in Bnei Brak

Photos: 

Kikar Shabbat

Mourning in Kiryat Vishnitz last night

B"H

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua Hager passed away last night. Kiryat Vishnitz in Bnei Brak is in mourning. Here are some photos from last night:

All pictures HERE !

Kiryat Vishnitz last night

More photos HERE !

Vishnitzer Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua Hager passed away

B"H

After years of suffering from the Alzheimer disease, the Vishnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager, passed away. Within the past few days his health situation worsened and the Rebbe was suffering from fever. Tonight he died at the age of 95.

Kiryat Vishnitz (Bnei Brak) in mourning because the Chassidim still stuck to their old Rebbe although his sons Israel and Menachem Mendel Hager took over leadership. Their father, however, was some kind of a mutual connection, as Vishnitz Bnei Brak split into two groups with the two Rebbe brothers hating each other. Now the connection between all Vishnitzers in gone.

Vishnitz Takanot

Source: Chadre'i HaCharedim

Vishnitzer singing Lubavitcher Song

At a Sukkot Tish of Rabbi Israel Hager / Bnei Brak

 

Link:

Kiryat Vishnitz in Bnei Brak

Pictures from Bnei Brak

Enough with the haredi immodesty (regarding certain haredi women walking around dressed in a very modern sense).

Chabad in Rashi Street 

Kiryat Vishnitz

Karlin - Stolin

 Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Kiryat Vishnitz in Bnei Brak

B"H

Every time anew, I am having difficulties where to begin. Basically Bnei Brak has three Vishnitzer Rebben at the moment. There is the older Rebbe and father of the two other Rebbes, Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager. He has been suffering from Alzheimer for quite a while and has two sons fighting with each other about the Rebbe position. Rebbe Israel Hager took over the position and most Vishnitzer Chassidim from Bnei Brak followed him. His brother and competitor, Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager founded his own Vishnitzer group but still resides in Kiryat Vishnitz. 

The following photos show the Mosdot and area of Rebbe Israel Hager in Kiryat Vishnitz / Bnei Brak.

Here, outside the Beit Midrash, Rebbe Israel Hager has been holding his Tish many times. Once I have been to his Tish on Sukkot (and will do so this Sukkot) but we women were placed in a building across and not outside. It was very hard to see, as there wasn't enough space for all women behind some tiny windows. 

Photos 19 September 2011: Miriam Woelke

Thousands of Pessach Meals were handed out in Kiryat Vishnitz

Thousands of Pessach meals were handed out in Kiryat Vishnitz / Bnei Brak. You can view all photos HERE !

Pessach (Passover) Cleaning

B”H

Not only a Jewish kitchen is being cleaned (from forbidden Chametz and wheat, oats, spelt, barley and rye products) thoroughly before Pessach but also the rest of the house. Today I walked with a friend of mine through two haredi (ultra - Orthodox) neighbourhoods in Jerusalem: Ge'ulah and parts of Mea Shearim. What we saw were toys hanging over the balconies to dry after scrubbing. 


Its unbelievable but it was here in Mea Shearim / Ge'ulah where I got my first Pessach feeling this year. I got really into it while hundreds of Haredim around us were running around from shop to shop in order to buy kitchen equipment, shoes or clothes. My friend and I took plenty of photos but also enjoyed some food (Kasher Badatz Edah HaCharedit). 


Meanwhile religious housewives are cleaning out fridges, move and wash stoves, kasher dishes, wash toys and windows and use tons of aluminium foil covering the area around the sink as well as shelves and kitchen cuboards. In other words, the entire house is being taken apart and cleaned.

Here are a few photos with Pessach (Passover) explanations:

Grocery store near the great Gerrer (Gur) Beit Midrash: The potatoes delivery has already arrived. There isn't too much to eat for Ashkenazi Jews. Potatoes, eggs, meat, and fish. Regarding Chassidut Vishnitz following the custom of avoiding fish during Pessach: Not all Israeli Vishnitzer still keep the custom. Some eat fish, others still don't.

 

 Aluminium foil for cuboards. Expensive and sold by the meter.

 

Many households buy news dishes for Pessach.

 

Streets were packed and everyone was busy preparing Pessach. 

 Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Purim Tish in Vishnitz

 

B"H

Tel Aviv is celebrating Purim and tomorrow night, most chassidic groups in Bnei Brak are giving huge Purim Tishes. Instead of running around in Jerusalem, I am concentrating on the events in Bnei Brak and will be there tomorrow night. Among others, Chassidut Vishnitz (both "Rebbes") is giving its famous Tish and I hope I will be able to get it, as it is going to be overcrowded.

Chaseneh Vishnitz - Kretchnif

B"H

Last night, a huge wedding took place in Vishnitz - Kretchnif and those of you who are interested in looking at videos and photos will find plenty of material here:

Kikar Shabbat

Chadrei HaCharedim

Chassidut Vishnitz is moving to Afula / Northern Israel

Chassidut Vishnitz in Kiryat Vishnitz / Bnei Brak

B"H

Rents have got extremely high in Israel. Ordinary families where both spouses go to work and earn quite some money have difficulties paying the rent. Let alone being able to buy an apartment.


The coastal line around Tel Aviv, Netanya, Bat Yam, Ashdod up to Hadera has almost become unaffordable and people basically work in order to pay their rent. Gush Dan, the coast, has never been cheap and Jerusalem used to be affordable. This has changed in recent years and now, sometimes Jerusalem is even more expensive than Tel Aviv.


Israelis have discovered the north and the south. Living in the countryside with its cheap rent and commuting to their jobs every day. But now, also the smaller towns are raising their rents. Mea Shearim, Sanhedria or Kiryat Mattersdorf in Jerusalem have become far too expensive for newly married haredi couples. Years ago, haredi society started building neighbourhoods in Beit Shemesh, Ashdod or Arad but even there, space is getting harder to find. Entire chassidic groups move from Bnei Brak or Jerusalem to smaller towns where land and rent is still much cheaper. For instance, Chassidut Karlin - Stolin has bought some land in Tiberias Illit and is building its own neighborhood. There has been a rumour going around Tiberias that more chassidic groups are coming. Such as the Toldot Aharon, for instance.


However, none of the inhabitants of smaller town has anything against Haredim moving in. Nevertheless, people are afraid of what is coming afterwards. Are the Haredim going to determine their lives ? Has everything go according to Halacha ? What about demonstrations, Sikarikim and all this ? Who needs such things in Tiberias ?


I see it myself when I go to Zfat (Safed). The place has always been quite haredi with Breslov and Chabad but now, the old city has become slightly more extreme. Vishnitz, Chernobyl, Zanz and further groups are there and when you walk through the old cobblestone alleyways, haredi kids keep on staring at you.


So far, life goes on and the Haredim are not bothering any non - haredi inhabitants. Neither in Zfat and nor in Tiberias. Still, there is a negative side of them moving in: First of all, rents go up as soon as landlords see that there is a demand. Secondly, entire formerly secular or traditional (religious) areas may turn into haredi territory.

Now haredi society, in particular Vishnitz, has dicovered Afula located in the Jezreel Valley. Years ago, no one wanted to move to Afula, as there was just nothing. Lately, the mayor of Afula, Avi Alkabetz, has been working hard on settling some industry in his town. Hightech branches are coming to create jobs. Thousands of new inhabitants have moved in and new neighbourhoods have been built. Afula is changing its face and the mayor of the nearby Nazeret (Nazareth) is following suit. Northern small towns want to attract Israelis from the center because the Arab population in the northern district keeps on growing. However, the mayors are trying to attract regular Israelis who will integrate into their new places of living and not necessarily Haredim who stick to themselves.

Afula

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Afula's local weekly papaer "Avodah", however, reported last Friday that the Vishnitzer are moving in. Landlords have figured that out and the result are increasing rents. Vishnitz is upset because someone obviously made it public. Now Vishnitz is in trouble, as real estate prices are exploding for them.

 

Afula, Central Bus Station

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Even places like Ramat Beit Shemesh or the haredi town of Beitar have become too small and sometimes already too expensive. Haredi society will keep on spreading all over the country but each side has to be careful not to start a takeover. In case the Toldot Aharon are going to move into Tiberias, they have to accept that the tourist places are opening on Shabbat. Various restaurants at the beach area (at the Sea of Galilee / Kinneret) are open on Shabbat and so is the Mac Donald's. This way, Tiberias is earning its money. Otherwise the town would be completely bancrupt and those of you looking around there are very aware of the financial difficulties Tiberias keeps on facing.

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Menachem Mendel on ZEDAKA

B"H

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Menachem Mendel (unfotunately the text I read didn't mention which Menachem Mendel of the Vishnitzer Rebben) said the following about giving charity (Zedaka):

A rich Jew should not increase his amount of charity in order to avoid becoming arrogant and proud. The same with a poor Jew who should not diminish his amount of Zedaka in order not to feel unimportant or less than anybody else.

The Vishnitzer Rebbe is absolutely right. Just let us take a look at public institutions or Yeshivot and schools. Especially American Jewish donors insist on having their name published on a  big sign. The worst example for this is the new AISH HATORAH building across the Western Wall (Kotel). You cannot even use the washroom without seeing a name on the toilet paper (donated by so - and - so).

The example with the toilet paper is a joke but just look around:
Sometimes it looks as if a private rich American donor Jew rules over Israel and not G - d. At least G - d does not insist on having His name written anywhere you go.

Satmar (Israel) in Belz (Israel)

B"H

The heads of the Satmarer communities of Jerusalem and Bnei Brak participating in a Belzer Bar Mitzvah. A haredi forum is asking if peace between the two chassidic group is ahead.

I thought that the haredi world would know better than me ...

At the beginning of the 80ies, Chassidut Belz left the anti - Zionist Edah HaCharedit and joined the Agudat Israel. The Agudah has a Knesset party which is today called "Yahadut HaTorah" (run by Gur, Vishnitz, Belz and some litvishe Rabbis).

The Edah went wild because they considered the Belzer as traitor who ran over to Zionism and participating in the State of Israel. A war took place between Satmar, the Toldot Aharon and Belz.

However, today you have to take the follwoing into consideration:

The old Vishnitzer Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua Hager (alive but suffering from Alzheimer) has, beside his two fighting sons about the Vishnitzer leadership, four daughters.
One daughter is married to the present Belzer Rebbe. Another daughter is married to the Satmarer Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum. The third daughter is married to the Skverer Rebbe of New Square and the fourth daughter is married to the Vishnitzer Rosh Yeshiva (Bnei Brak), Rabbi Ernster.

Lets thus have a look at the facts:

The Belzer Rebbe as well as one of the two present Satmarer Rebbes, Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum, are related through their wives. Are they still enemies ?
I heard the following saying:

The Belzer and Rebbe Aharon are Buddies and their goal is helping one of the present two Vishnitzer Rebbes (the ill Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua not included); namely Rabbi Israel Hager.
Obviously those three Rebbes build one fraction against the second Vishnitzer Rebbe "Mendele" Hager who dared to split off and found his own Vishnitzer group.

If this is very likely to be true why then the question about peace ?

Rebbe Israel Hager and his trip into the chassidic Past

B"H

How am I going to say it correctly ? The Vishnitzer Rebbe or one of the present three Vishnitzer Rebben of Bnei Brak ?

Rebbe Israel Hager took his Chassidim do Medziborz and surroundings in order to visit several graves of chassidic Rebbes. Among them the Ohalim of the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.

All photos HERE !

Lag Ba'Omer Photos

Lag Ba'Omer in Beit Shemesh

Lag Ba'Omer in VISHNITZ / Bnei Brak

 

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua Hager, father of the Belzer Rebbitzen, the Satmarer Rebbitzen (wife of Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum) and the Rebbitzen of New Square.

Various photos from MERON !

Further pictures HERE !

Last night in Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak in Mea Shearim/ Jerusalem. This morning, the Rebbe is going with his Chassidim to Meron.

Source: Rebbe Clips

Vishnitzer Rebbe against "HaMevaser" and "HaModiah"

B"H

The Vishnitzer Rebbe (Bnei Brak), Rabbi Israel Hager, said in a recent speech that Yeshiva students should not bother reading the daily haredi newspapers. Then he added: "Such as "HaMevaser" and "HaModiah". Further should a Yeshiva student refrain from possessing a cellphone.
All this would not help the student's soul (Neshama).

The hightech as well as the social networking world has long reached the haredi world. And it is especially Haredim I see walking around in Jerusalem and using the most modern cellphones. No matter who. Even the Toldot Aharon women.

In a way, Rebbe Hager is right but who is able to refrain from all this today ? No question that one doesn't need to bother with the "HaModiah" but Yeshiva students have their own little secret sources.

After his speech, the audience wished the Rebbe a "Mazal Tov" to his 65th birthday.