Rav Chaim Kanievsky writes (Shoneh Halachos 695:12) that before we start the Purim Seudah, we should learn the halachos of both Purim, and believe it or not � Pesach!

Rav Menachem Mendel Hager zt”l of Vishva brings an allusion to this from Parshas Nitzavim � The verse states, m�chotev aitzecha ad sho�ev maimecha � that the laws of drawing water (mayim shelanu for Matzah baking) must be studied from Purim � where the tree was prepared.

WHO HE WAS

Rav Menachem Mendel Hager zt�l was a leading Rabbinic figure in Agudas Yisroel.� He was the Rosh Yeshiva of one of the largest Yeshivos in Europe. He would farher (test) bochurim in learning. They came from far and wide.� The Yeshiva had an international reputation.� It was known throughout Europe as having a very high academic standard.

If the young man was not so good in Talmudic studies, he would say, �tzitzis bawser� it meant come back next year.

There were, of course, people that he did not turn away.� Once a yasom with no support came for a farher and Rav Mendel realized that he barely knew the aleph beis.� He accepted him and tutored him himself.

A boy that would not pass the entrance farher would cry and return to his parents.� The parents would be� disappointed.� People came to study under Rav Mendel Hager from all over Romania and beyond.� He came to America in 1936, to raise money.� There were now 500 mouths he had to feed.

The Rebbe and his wife left to the United States before Purim and there was a seudas preidah held in the Yeshiva before they left.

The famous niggun for the song, �tzavei, tzavei, tzavei yeshuas Yaakov � Command, Command [O� Hashem] the salvation of [the House of] Jacob� was composed for that occasion, by the local shochait who was also an incredible baal menagain � Rav Beirish Horowitz.

Aside from the Yeshiva in Oiber Vishva having the largest dormitory in Europe, there was a large dining room in the building with tables for the young bochurim to eat.

When Reb Mendel was in the United States, his father, the Vishnitzer Rebbe had passed away.� The menagain who had composed the original niggun now composed another to mournfully greet the new Rebbe.

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