Yeshiva World News

[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

As was reported extensively on YWN, the massive Levaya of the Viznitser Rebbe ZATZAL ended earlier today, with approximately 80,000 people in attendance. Dozens of Gedolim, Admorim and Rabbonim were in attendance.

The Av Beis Din Bnei Brak, HaRav Yehuda Leib Landau Shlita called for a cessation of all work in the city during the levaya.

There were literally hundreds of police, EMS, volunteers, chessed organizations and agencies taking part in the levaya to maintain order and protect participants, and of course to lend assistance when required. Ichud Hatzalah officials report 32 people have been treated, most with light soft tissue injuries from the overwhelming crowd and associated pushing and falls.

In compliance with the rebbe’s instructions, the levaya was completed before shekiyah, and no hespeidim were delivered.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos taken at the Levaya by Shuki Lerer for JDN

Additional photos and video by Kuvien Images will follow shortly.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The link below is a collection of photos of the life of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, HaRav Moshe Yehoshua Hager ZATZAL. The Rebbe was born in Romania on the 13th of Nissan 5676. He was 95 at the time of his Petira. Additional photos of the Rebbe ZATZAL will be added as they become available to us.

Additionally, a full crew from Kuvien Images has been in Bnei Brak covering the massive Levaya for YWN, and full photo and video coverage will be published shortly.

Thanks to JDN for providing this beautiful photo essay.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE to see the photos.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

There was an excitement in the air among Skverer chassidim in Eretz Yisrael in anticipation of the arrival of the rebbe shlita, scheduled to arrive on Thursday, 7 Adar 5772 for a 15-hour visit. The rebbe will be attending the chasnah of the youngest daughter of the Machnuvka Rebbe.

Arrangements were made that when the rebbe’s flight arrived in Tel Aviv at 9:00am, the rebbe would be the first off to permit him to reach Bnei Brak in time to daven shachris.

The chasnah was held on Thursday night in the Royal Garden Hall in Petach Tikvah following which the rebbe will be leaving for his return to the USA to be with his chassidim for Shabbos Parshas Zachor.

READ MORE: MONSEYSCOOP.COM 

The Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, HaRav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum Shlita, raised $2 million in one-day fundraising missions to Los Angeles and Miami. The rebbe landed in LA at 1:00am on Thursday and davened shachris in the Beis Yehuda Beis Medrash, where a kabolas panim was held after Davening.

The rebbe visited the homes of a number of gvirim, who responded to his call for assistance. According to the BaKehilla report, the rebbe also held a one-day fundraiser in Miami, and askanim report the two one-day efforts yielded the chassidus a total of $2 million.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Sanzer Rebbe Shlita is in the midst of a two-week chizuk visit in the United States, touching the lives of his chassidim and others wishing to take advantage of the opportunity. The rebbe on Tuesday, 5 Adar 5772 visited with Sholom Rubashkin in prison along with other Jewish prisoners in the facility. The rebbe was there for four hours.

Prison officials approved the request for the visit, permitting five people to enter with the rebbe but cameras and recording equipment were prohibited. The rebbe davened mincha in the prison, relying upon six Jewish prisoners to complete the minyan.

Following mincha the rebbe sat with Sholom Rubashkin, seeking to give him a chizuk. The meeting lasted over 30 minutes. According to a Chadrei chareidim report, the rebbe also met with 20 chareidi prisoners. The prisoners took part in a ‘l’chaim tisch’ as it were and they reported were very uplifted by the visit.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Please be Mispallel for the Vizhnitzer Rebbe Shlita of Bnei Brak, who is being treated for difficulty breathing and an infection.

A massive crowd gathered in the main Vizhnitzer Bais Medrash in Bnei Brak, Sunday afternoon, following a request for Tehillim from the Rebbes Gabbai.

Doctors are deciding if they should continue treating the Rebbe at his home, or they should have him moved to a hospital.

The Rebbes children were at the home today, which include his sons Rav Yisroel, Rav Mendel, and daughters who are married to Rav Menachem Ernster (Rosh Yeshiva of the Vizhnitzer Yeshiva in Bnei Brak), the Satmar Rebbe from Kiryas Yoel, and the Belzer Rebbe.

His other daughter who is the Rebbitzen of the Skver Rebbe (New Square) has departed New York for Bnei Brak on Sunday.

Rav Yisroel Hager has been leading the Bnei Brak Chassidus since the Rebbe became unwell in recent years, while his son Rav Mendel Hager was appointed at the Av Beis Din of the Chassidus.

Please be Mispallel for Moshe Yehoshua ben Margulios.

(Moshe Altusky – YWN)

Speaking during a motzei Shabbos L’Chaim Tisch that followed a hachnasas sefer Torah, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel addressed a number of ‘inyanei d’yoma’. The rebbe arrived last week for a family simcha.

The rebbe spoke about kiyum mitzvos, Am Yisrael’s responsibility to adhere to the Torah, and the severity of transgressions “in the King’s palace”, the lack of shmiras Shabbos in Eretz Yisrael by the majority of the residents.

“Most of the Jews in Israel are not observing Torah and mitzvos and the Land of Israel records their offenses”.

He added this is particularly true among the “big Zionists that were present for the establishment of the state, leading to the spilling of blood resulting from their unwillingness to compromise on peace”.

The rebbe spoke out against politicians who target mosdos Torah, decrying the recent effort to bring non frum MKs to visit yeshivos and embracing them.

The rebbe then shifted to chareidi weeklies, those with “hashkafa of the Zionists, a hashkafa of kefira – bringing poison into chareidi hearts”.

“Some of the papers have shtreimels and white beards, some Litvish or Sephardim, with a common denominator, the destruction of the pure hashkafa”.

The rebbe called on his chassidim to refrain from bringing such publications into their homes.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

A ceremonious event was held to usher in the new director of the Refuah V’Chaim organization, Rav Baruch Himmel. In attendance was HaRav Yisrael Hager of Vishnitz.

Rav Hager addressed the tzibur, expressing his tefilla that the organization will deal more with “chaim” and less with “refuah”.

“The organization was started by my father, the Vishnitzer Rebbe to assist all Yidden in need during that difficult period”, Rav Hager added, stressing the need to come to the assistance of any Jew of any walk of life, without exception.

He stressed that during today’s difficult financial times, we do not have the luxury of ignoring those in need and everyone must receive assistance despite the challenges posed by the new economic situation.

After the event, Rav Himmel entered to see the Rebbe Shlita, presenting him with an assortment of Tu B’Shevat fruits.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

After years of distancing from one another, the highly-anticipated reconciliation meeting between Satmar and Belz took place on Wednesday night. The meeting between HaRav Aron Teitelbaum Shlita, the Satmar Rebbe from Kiryas Yoel, and the Belzer Rebbe Shlita, took place at a home of the Belzer Rebbe in Telz Stone.

Police barricaded off the area earlier in the evening, and only allowed residents of that street in the area.

According to reports in the Chareid media in Eretz Yisroel, the meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes. It is being reported that they will meet again tomorrow.

Attending the meeting from the Belzer side was the Rebbe, his son R’ Aron Mordechai Rokeach, the Gabbai R’ Shimon Wolf Klein, R’ Michel Firer, Rav Pinchos Friedman, Rav Mordechai brisk, Rav Moshe Ringel, and R’ Aron Fried.

From the Satmar side: The Rebbe and his three Gabboyim were the only ones participating.

No photos of the meeting have been released as of this time, and the exact details of the meeting have yet to be released.

As YWN had previously reported, on Monday, 21 Teves 5772, Gabbai R’ Shimon Wolf Klein and ten dayanim from Belz communities worldwide visited the Kever of the Divrei Yoel of Satmar in Kiryas Yoel in Monroe, NY.

The gabbai asked mechila from the Rebbe in the name of the Belzer Rebbe Shlita. “We are the emissaries of Rabbeinu Yissacher Dov Ben Chana, who sent us to ask mechila on that which compromised your kovod”.

The Belzer delegation then visited the tziyun of the Beirach Moshe of Satmar zt”l and recited the same nusach seeking mechila.

According to reports, the dayanim shlita included HaGaon HaRav Tuvia Wettenshtein, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shimon Binata, Rav Asher Eckstein, Rav Sholom Pesach Langsheim, Rav Wolf Ber Lerner and Rav Mordechai Galitzky.

(Dov Gordon – YWN)

The Satmar Rebbe from Kiryas Yoel, Rav Aron Teitlebaum Shlita, arrived in Eretz Yisrael on Tuesday. The rebbe arrived at Ben-Gurion International Airport during the morning hours, on a Continental Airlines flight.

The rebbe traveled to Eretz Yisroel in honor of the chasnah of a grandson of his brother-in-law. The chosson is Chananya Yomtov Lipa Meizlish, the son of Rav Chaim Tzvi Meizlish Shlita, rav of the kehila and son-in-law of Rav Rav Yisrael Hager of Vishnitz and the great grandson of the Vishnitzer Rebbe Shlita.

Prior to setting out to Eretz Yisrael, the Satmar Rebbe Shlita made his first public statements regarding the recent agreement (http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=114990) between Satmar and Belz, ending decades of disconnect and machlokes.

The rebbe addressed yeshiva bochrim prior to heading for the airport, discussing some of the history surrounding the severed ties, explaining that he will visit “admorim while in Eretz Yisrael, even those who are not part of our camp. We don’t plan to change out ways, fighting on behalf of Hashem, in line with the tradition handed down from our fathers”.

He spoke of the need to continue fighting those who act contrary to the teachings of the previous Satmar Rebbes. The rebbe continued, explaining the importance of clinging to the ways of the previous Satmar Rebbes ZY”A, concluding “those who get it get it and those who do not understand, never will”.

According to the rebbe’s itinerary, he is not going to be in Yerushalayim during his stay in Eretz Yisrael. Chadrei Chareidim reports a meeting with the Belzer Rebbe Shlita will most likely take place in an undisclosed location in the center of the country and it will be a closed meeting.

The rebbe will be in Eretz Yisrael until Wednesday, 29 Shevat.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Maran Hagon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita was taken to the hospital on Sunday evening, after a deterioration in his health.

An ambulance was called to the home on Rechov Chanan on Sunday night, and Paramedics transported him to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center, with police cars escorting the ambulance.

Sources tell YWN that the Gadol HaDor is suffering from shortness of breath, and his blood pressure dropped.

He is Boruch Hashem fully conscious, and undergoing tests.

Just last month, Rav Elyashiv was rushed to the hospital for shortness of breath, but had recovered, and even attended the Chasunah of his youngest grandchild.

YWN will post additional information as it becomes available to us

Please be Mispallel for Yosef Shalom ben Chaya Musha.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Nadvorna Rebbe Shlita was released from Beilinson Hospital on Wednesday after being treated for an aggressive case of pneumonia. A sudden improvement in his condition permitted doctors to discharge the rebbe.

Upon his release, the rebbe traveled to a vacation spot in Herzliya where he will convalesce until erev Shabbos, hoping to return to Bnei Brak for Shabbos, planning a ‘Shira Tisch’. Some two years ago, the rebbe was R”L diagnosed with a malignant illness which has left him in a weakened condition.

The tzibur is asked to continue being mispallel for Yaakov Yissacher Ber ben Sima Reizel b’soch kol cholei am yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Chassidim gathered at the Kosel on Sunday night, eve of 6 Shevat 5772, to be mispallel on behalf of the Nadvorna Rebbe Shlita, whose health has taken a turn for the worse. The rebbe has been stricken with a serious illness a number of years ago, and today he is described in a significantly weakened state.

The tzibur is requested to be mispallel for Yaakov Yissacher Ber ben Sima Reizel for a refuah shleima b’soch kol cholei am yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

R’ Shlomo Kook, spokesman at the home of Maran Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv’s Shlita home announced earlier on Tuesday evening, Rosh Chodesh Teves 5772, that the rav left his home and appears to be doing better.

Rav Elyashiv was instructed to remain home after being diagnosed with fluid in his lungs by physicians at Shaare Zedek Medical Center last Thursday. He condition was reported to be cause for concern as the 101-year-old Posek HaDor is in a weakened state.

It appears that the chasnah of his youngest grandchild however was enough reason for the rav to gather his strength, and despite the fact his presence was not expected at the chasnah due to his physical condition, the posek hador did make it to the wedding at Tamir Hall and was the mesader kedushin. The kallah is the daughter of the rav’s son-in-law Rav Binyomin Rimmer, and the chosson is Zevulun Drevkin of Yeshivas Grodna Be’er Yaakov.

Everything was done to assist the rav, realizing it was important for him to participate in the wedding of his last grandchild. A number of physicians arrived at his home Tuesday morning from Shaare Zedek and checked the rav, giving the green light later in the day for him to participate in the chasnah after receiving results of the tests taken during the morning hours.

Rav Elyashiv left his home at 6:30pm for the hall, where he was given a room to rest. HaGaon HaRav Yosef Efrati Shlita read the kesuva.

The tzibur is requested to continue davening for the rav, Yosef Sholom ben Chaya Musha b’soch kol cholei am yisrael.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

After years of distancing from one another there are now signs of a possible peace-making effort between Satmar and Belze, chareidi media in Israel reports Baruch Hashem.

On Monday, 21 Teves 5772, Gabbai R’ Shimon Wolf Klein and ten dayanim from Belz communities worldwide visited the tziyun of the Admor Bal Divrei Yoel ZY”A of Satmar in Kiryas Yoel in Monroe, NY.

The gabbai asked mechila from the tzaddik in the name of the Belzer Rebbe Shlita. “We are the emissaries of Rabbeinu Yissacher Dov Ben Chana, who sent us to ask mechila on that which compromised your kovod”.

The Belze delegation than visit the tziyun of the admor Beirach Moshe of Satmar zt”l and recited the same nusach seeking mechila.

According to Chadrei Chareidim, the dayanim shlita included HaGaon HaRav Tuvia Wettenshtein, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shimon Binata, Rav Asher Eckstein, Rav Sholom Pesach Langsheim, Rav Wolf Ber Lerner and Rav Mordechai Galitzky.

There is now speculation that when the Satmar Rebbe Shlita visits Eretz Yisrael next month, he and the Belzer Rebbe will meet. They are after all brothers-in-law.

The dispute was the result of a drasha given by the Belzer Rebbe on motzei Simchas Torah in 5740. The Belzer Rebbe has made numerous efforts to make shalom over recent years.

Recently, it was reported that the Satmar Rebbe stated, “When the Rebbe will send a minyan of rabbonim and dayanim to the kever of the Divrei Yoel to ask mechila, the peace process will get underway”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Speaking at Chanukah candle lighting, the Belzer Rebbe Shlita released a statement against the escalating violence from within the chareidi tzibur. The rebbe stated “If there are those among us who believe they will spread the light of Yiddishkheit through violence, they are mistaken”.

Taking part in the hadlokas neiros was Minister of Education Gideon Saar, who added that Avraham Avinu also worked to bring people closer to Hashem, but did so through gently trying to attract others, not seeking to achieve his goal with violence, which the minister added “hasn’t a chance of succeeding”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)