BROOKLYN WEATHER

Living Legacy: The Imrei Chaim of Viznitz, zt”l

Living Legacy: The Imrei Chaim of Viznitz, zt”l

Photo Gallery:

There are thousands families of Viznitzer Chassidim around the world today—recognizable with their unique Vinizter flavor, emphasis in certain areas of avodas Hashem (and also by their hats, which are notably worn with the ribbon on the right side)—with a sizable number in our Boro Park shtetl. 

They owe their connection to Viznitz of yore to Rebbe Chaim Meir Hager, known as the Imrei Chaim, zecher tzaddik livrachah, whose yohrtzeit we mark this week, the 9th of Nissan. 

Rav Chaim Meir was born to his illustrious father, Rebbe Yisroel of Viznitz, known as the Ahavas Yisroel, in the winter of 1888. He was named for his ancestor Rebbe Chaim of Kosov—who descend from Rav Yaakov Koppel Chossid, a talmid of the Baal Shem Tov—and Meir, after his ancestor Rebbe Meir’l of Dizkov (author of Imrei No’am). 

In his youth, he was known for his tremendous hasmadah b’Torah, and this would indeed mark the lives of his two famed sons, the Viznitzer Rebbeim from Monsey and Bnei Brak respectively. He received semicha from the greatest Gedolim of Poland and Galicia. 

After his marriage in 1905, he lived in the court of his father in law, but after a while his pining to be in the presence of his father was too great, and he returned to Viznitz. During WWI, the Ahavas Yisroel escaped to Grosswardein, in Bukowina, and this is where Viznitz would thrive… and the hearts of thousands forged with a love and yearning for Viznitz… until the great Churban. 

In 1936, Rav Chaim Meir assumed the place of his holy father, who was niftar. During the war, they were taken to labor camps, and survived b’chasdei Hashem. The Rebbe returned to Grosswardein following the war, and continued to lead his chassidim for one year—until he realized that Communism was gaining a hold, so he left for Belgium, where he remained for another year, and from there made his way to Eretz Yisroel. 

Thus began a new chapter, as the Imrei Chaim set to work rebuilding the chassidus. He began with the she’eiris hapleitah—for whom he cared with every fiber of his being, in gashmiyus, as well as in ruchniyus. 

Even before his arrival, he arranged the purchase of land in the Bnei Brak area, and this is what is known today as Shikun Viznitz, and the Rebbe relocated there in 1951. After the Rebbe’s passing in 1972, his son, the Yeshuos Moshe succeeded him in Bnei Brak, while his son Rebbe Mottele built the chassidus in Monsey. 

Today, the third generation of Viznitzer Rebbeim in the postwar era—a total of ten—lead chassidim around the world. They perpetuate a golden chain of Torah and chassidus brought back to life by their holy and illustrious ancestor, Rebbe Chaim Meir of Viznitz, zechusoi yogein aleinu. 


Living Legacy, a special project of BP24, explores the lasting impact of our luminaries of yore, appears weekly. Comments and suggestions may be emailed to [email protected]



New Bridge and Tunnel Tolls to Go into Effect on April 11
  • Mar 22 2021
  • |
  • 6:05 AM

Mayoral Candidate Eric Adams Joins UJO, Met Council in Distributing Pesach Food to Thousands
  • Mar 21 2021
  • |
  • 12:30 PM

Be in the know

receive BoroPark24’s news & updates on whatsapp

 Start Now