Some of my Vizhnitz Elter Zaides....

HaRav Chaim Hager of Ottynia, the Tal Chaim (1863-1931)

son of
HaRav Boruch Hager  The Imrei Boruch 2nd Rebbe of Vizhnitz (1845-1892) Boruch Hager was born in 1845 and was named after Rabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh at the behest of his grandfather, Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn. In 1885, aged 45, he inherited the mantle of leadership from his father, Menachem Mendel Hager, and became rebbe to thousands of Hasidim. He led them for only eight years until his death in 1892. His Torah thoughts were collected in Imrei Boruch by his son-in-law. Eight of his sons became rebbes in different locals: His eldest, Reb Yisroel, succeeded him in Vyzhnytsia; Reb Chaim became rebbe in Ottynia; Reb Moshe in Suceava; Reb Shmuel Avrohom Abba in Horodenka; Reb Yaakov Yitzchok Dovid in Storozhynets; Reb Pinchos in Borsha; Reb Feivish in Zelishtshik; Reb Yechiel Michel succeeded his brother in Horodenka. Another son, Reb Sholom, died in his youth. His sons-in-law were Reb Shmuel Dov Chodorov of Petriva; Reb Mordechai Chodorov of Kolomea, who published Imrey Boruch; Reb Sholom Yosef Friedman of Sadigur-Chernovitz.
son of 
HaRav Menachem Mendel Hager the Tzemach Tzadik 1st Rebbe of Vizhnitz (1830-1884) (son in law of Yisroel of Ruzhin) Menachem Mendel Hager was born on May 17, 1830 in Kosiv. He was the son of Rabbi Chaim Hager of Kosiv and the son-in-law of Rabbi Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn. He was appointed Rebbe at the age of 24, and soon after he moved to Vyzhnytsia, a small town close to Kosiv. As his reputation grew, so did his followers. He became known and admired for his charitable acts, sincerity in prayer and love for Eretz Yisrael. In his older years he endeavored to emigrate there. He had two sons, Reb Boruch and another, Reb Yaakov Dovid, who died during his lifetime. His son-in-law was the son of Rabbi Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz, Reb Shmuel of Sokal. His Torah thoughts were published under the title Tzemach Tzaddik. He died on October 18, 1884 and was buried in Vyzhnytsia. His son Reb Boruch took his place becoming the second Rebbe of Vizhnitz.
son of 
HaRav Chaim Hager of Kosov the Toras Chaim
son of
HaRav Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov, The Ahavas Shalom
son of 
HaRav Yaakov Koppel Chosid (disciple of the Baal Shem Tov) HaRav Yisroel ben Eliezer
(1698-1760)

KOSOV REBBE DANCING AT Sholom and Nechama McJunkin at their Cuhpah on Jun 1, 2014

Sukkos 5774 in Kosov

The Kosover Rebbe's Vort on Parshas Pinchas

This weeks Vort is sponsored by Baruch & Adina Cohen in honor of their daughter Tali Cohen's graduation from Bais Yaakov of Los Angeles

The Rebbe's Vort

A Weekly Dose of Inspiration from the Kosover Rebbe, Shlita 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN OR TO TO DOWNLOAD

A king, when he is presented to the public, is presented in all his glory.  He dons his crown. He wears royal clothing. He sits in a throne. He is presented as larger than life and dresses and acts accordingly. When that same king sits with his family, there is no pomp and circumstance. He sits with them, sans crown, and is a part of the clan.
  
At this time of year we find ourselves in the Three Weeks, the somber time preceding TIsha B'Av, when the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed. Though two thousand years have passed, we mourn for what was and yearn for what will be. Our King no longer has His throne; He has no Bais Hamikdash in which to dwell. Instead, he dwells with us, like a King with His family. During these sad weeks, He approaches us and seeks us, determining our connection to Him. Are we with Him? He wants to know.
  
Chazal tell us that the month of Tamuz should have had Rosh Hashana;  Av should have had Yom Kippur; and Elul should have included Sukkos. Instead, we have the calendar as it stands now, and Hashem comes to us during these weeks before the holidays to seek us out. These weeks are significant, and the mention of the Yomim Tovim in this week's Parshah, Pinchas, alludes to that. This time is our chance to become close to Him, even before those holy days.
  
Our nation has withstood thousands of years of persecution; we have outlasted everyone. This is the sole greatest miracle we have experienced. We await the culmination of this miracle now: the ultimate redemption. It is said that those who mourn the Bais Hamikdash will rejoice in its rebuilding. This is our chance. Hashem is now knocking at our door, seeking us out. Let us demonstrate our connection to Him during the weeks that seem so dark, and may we merit to rejoice with Him in the final, eternal light when the Bais Hamikdash is rebuilt. 

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos 

Menashe Silber
347-693-4142

Dedicate next week's Vort in honor in honor of a Simcha or a Yurzeit by emailing msilber@kosov.org.  

Enjoyed this week's Vort? We welcome your feedback. Click Here to leave your comments.

Spread the Rebbe's Torah even further! Forward this message to a friend by clicking below on the forward link.

The Rebbe's Vort A Weekly Dose of Inspiration from the Kosover Rebbe, Shlita

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN OR TO TO DOWNLOAD

On Pesach we reached great heights of holiness, by eradicating every trace of Chametz and eating the Matzah.  Matzah, the only food we are commanded by the Torah to eat, is not mere food; it is an item of holiness which elevates us upon consumption. And after eating it for the entire duration of Pesach, we have unlocked true potential - anything can happen now.

Now is the time when we implement the words mentioned in the Hagaddah, "L'maan Tizkor Yom Tzeischa Mimitzrayim Kol Yemei Chayecha" - in order that you remember the day you left Mitzrayim all the days of your life - "Lehavi Limos Hamashiach," - to hasten the days of Mashiach.

 Those who reside outside of Eretz Yisrael celebrate an extra day of Pesach due to uncertainty at the time the calendar was implemented. The Chasam Sofer tells us that even when Mashiach comes we will continue celebrating this extra day, to remind us of our time in Galus. The comparison of exile to freedom, from darkness to light, will be a powerful one. On the eighth day of Pesach - the day that is only celebrated outside of Eretz Yisrael- we read in the Haftorah about the glory of Mashiach, about the peace that will reign as Hashem brings the ultimate light to this world. We read this here in exile to remind us of the potential that we have unlocked during the past week - potential that we must remember despite our bleak surroundings.

Before Pesach we worked endlessly to remove every speck of Chametz - every trace of impurity. We spent a week in pristine surroundings eating holy food. We have reached a lofty plateau and have the power to bring Mashiach. We can bring the Geulah by heeding the words of the Hagaddah and remembering the darkness of Mitzrayim. May we soon merit to compare that darkness to the shining light of Mashiach. 

 

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos

Purim 5773 In Kosov

The Rebbe's Vort on Vayechi - A Weekly Dose of Inspiration from the Kosover Rebbe, Shlita

The Chasam Sofer offers extraordinary commentary on the final years of Yaakov Avinu's life, the seventeen blissful years he spent in Mitzrayim with his children and grandchildren. Each day that Yaakov lived, says the Chasam Sofer, is correspondent to one year of the world, which we are told will stand for 6000 years before Acharis Hayomim. Therefore, the days that Yaakov lived literally served to strengthen the years of Klall Yisrael. In the words of the Pasuk: 'Vayehi Yemei Yaakov" - the days of Yaakov - "Shenei Chayav" - became his years.

Let's do the math on that: The (lunar) year has 354 days. Multiply that by the 17 years of Yaakov, and the result is 6018. Add in the extra days that result from leap years during that span, and that number will increase to 6198. 6000 of those days correspond directly to the 6000 years of the world. But what of the remaining 198?

If we count back 198 days from the time of Yaakov's death we arrive at Chof Gimmel (23) Adar. This is when the 6000 days of his time in Mitzrayim ended. According to the Chasam Sofer's analogy, this is the time that directly corresponded to the 6000 years of the world. Following 6000 years, the world will move on to a time of Olam Habah; so too, following Yaakov's 6000 days, he entered a state of Olam Habah. Eight days after the 6000th day, 23 Adar, was Rosh Chodesh Nissan, when the Chanukas Hamishkan took place. The Pasuk hints to this by referring to the day of the Chanukas Hamishkan as  "Yom Hashmini."  Eight is also the number of days of Sukkos, when Yaakov was Niftar. Those days correspond to the eight days of Chanukah, as we are told by the Gemarah.  

The events of Chanukas Hamishkan, and the Nes of Chanukah are directly related to the days of Yaakov. Both these events symbolized light, the victory of Torah, and the glory and rebirth of our holiest places: the Mishkan and the Bais Hamikdash.

Yaakov Avinu experienced many difficult years. The 6000 years of the world prior to Acharis Hayomim are dark and difficult. The 6000 days of Yaakov in Mitzrayim symbolized this period, and served to strengthen Klall Yisrael during long periods of Galus. Just as Yaakov dark times led to days of extraordinary light, so too will we experience miracles of light and the ultimate victory of Torah following our own difficulties. Yaakov's suffering served to open doors for us. Just as his unfailing faith led him to the long days of Olam Habah, concludes the Chasam Sofer, so too will our unwavering faith in Hashem lead us to the long days of Olam Habah and the ultimate redemption.

The Kosov Rebbe's Vort on Parshas Breishis

The Torah is a continuous cycle. As such, the last Parshah leads directly into the first Parshah. This week, the Kosover Rebbe offers us a timely insight that demonstrates this. 

 Sukkos, and the spiritual wave of the Yomin Noraim, is behind us. Though it is easy to fall back to our old habits, a new beginning is possible, even as we return to the humdrum of our daily routines.  The words that conclude and begin the Torah send us this message.  

 

The final words of the Torah, in Parshas V’Zos Habrachah, mention “the great thing that Moshe did” - “L’Einei Kol Yisrael,” (“before the eyes of all of Yisrael”). Rashi comments on these words that they refer to the breaking of the Luchos. He continues by saying that Hashem not only agreed with this action, but told Moshe “Yasher Koach.”

 

Chazal tell us that as Moshe concluded his period of forty days in Shomayim, Hashem told him to go back down because Klall Yisrael had done something terrible. Hashem did not even want to send down the Luchos at that point; Moshe, however, wanted top bring them. Chazal say that Hashem pulled the Luchos up toward heaven, while Moshe tugged them down towards earth. Ultimately, Moshe succeeded, and as we know, the sight that greeted him when he arrived was that of Klall Yisrael with the Eigel. In response to their utter disrespect towards Hashem, Moshe shattered the Luchos.

 

How could he react to their behavior by breaking the Luchos – an act which seems to disrespect Hashem as well? And even more puzzling, why did Hashem agree with his actions and even thank him for them?

 

When Moshe saw the Eigel he found himself in a bad spot. He had thought he’d done a positive act by bringing the Luchos, but when he saw the depths to which Bnei Yisrael sunk, he realized it was not so. Furthermore, he realized that there was now a great disparity between himself and his nation: they had sinned, and he had not. His response was therefore to shatter the Luchos. They had done a disgrace, and now, so had he. Later, Hashem told him that He wanted to eliminate Klall Yisrael, saving only Moshe. Moshe responded that he had done something wrong as well; he’d broken the Luchos. He wanted to remain with his brothers, no matter what.

 

Rashi, on the words “L’Einei Kokl Yisrael,” tells us that Hashem wished him “Yasher Koach” because He agreed with Moshe’s intentions. He understood that his motivation in bringing the Luchos and then shattering them was out of concern and solidarity with Klall Yisrael. The word which follows immediately after is “Bereishis” – a new beginning. Hashem was telling Moshe that no matter what had happened, his good intentions had paved the way for a new beginning.

 

This is a message to keep in mind as we begin the year anew. We had great intentions during the last month. Now is the time to put them into practice. Hashem knows they were sincere, and will therefore pave the way for our new beginning with success.

 

Have a wonderful Shabos 

Sukkos 5772 In Kosov

Erev Yom Kipur Tish 5773 In Kosov

The Kosover Rebbe's Vort on Parshas Ki-Setzei

In this week’s Parshah Ki-Setzei, Hashem reminds Klall Yisrael to keep themselves and their camp ("Machaneh") holy and pure, because He is with them at all times. This is a message for all generations: Remain holy and pure, for Hashem is with us wherever we go.

There is a question raised in the Gemarah regarding one who becomes impure: is he allowed to learn Torah or not? The answer is no. The Gemarah explains that just as Klal Yisroel had to remain pure for the three days preceding Matan Torah, so too must every Jew establish his purity before learning Torah.  

Why is learning Torah on an average day paralleled with the momentum of Matan Torah? The Noam Elimelech says that one needs to learn anew each day – each time you learn, it should be like the first time you’re learning. In fact, he continues, the world is created anew each second. As we say each day in Davening, “Hamechadesh b’tuvo b’chol yom tamid – Who renews…every day, always.”

In this vein, we can understand the correlation between Matan Torah and our day-to-day learning. At Matan Torah, the Jews stood ready and waiting, sure in their belief that anything was possible – even though they did not know what the future held. The entire world was upheld by that very powerful moment when Hashem gave the Torah. The Noam Elimelech explains that Hashem is constantly being Mechadesh the Torah, every single second. That is what holds up the world. So in fact, we are standing at that moment, at the giving of the Torah, every day. Everything we learn really is new, because the world is not the same as it was a day ago, or even a moment ago.

We must approach our days the same way that Klal Yisrael stood at that mountain - pure and steadfast in the belief that anything is possible. Every second brings renewal; every second brings new creation from Hashem. And every second can potentially bring change. If we believe in the words we say each day, there is no reason why our problems should follow us from one second to the next. After all, it’s a new world.  

Have a wonderful Shabos

The Kosover Rebbe's Vort on Parshas Shoftim

The Kosel, the resting place of the Shechinah, and the only remnant of the Bais Hamikdash, stands today as a symbol of our unity.  Within that wall lies a stone weighing nearly 600 tons. The secret of the stone’s placement - a remarkable and seemingly impossible feat – is the secret to Klall Yisrael’s strength.

The Midrash tells us that when Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa wanted to bring a heavy stone to the Bais Hamikdash Hashem sent five Malachim to help him. He put his hands on the stone and suddenly found himself at the Bais Hamikdash without commanding any physical exertion at all. We see a similar phenomenon when Moshe built the Mishkan – when Hashem told him, “Do it and I’ll help you.” The third Bais Hamikdash will be built the same way.

How do we tap into this type of strength? The answer is in Shema. The numerical value of the words of Shema plus the beginning  letters of, “Baruch Shem Kvod Malchuso L’Olam Voed,” equals precisely the number of years that the Jews traveled with the Mishkan. The Rma'a Mipano
tz"l  says Shema that was recited by Klal Yisrael every day kept the Mishkan going throughout their travels. If we are strong in our belief, God is with us.

When David fought Goliath he brought five stones with which to battle him, corresponding to the five words of Shema. These stones merged to become one, and were then miraculously able to go through iron. The five different words contained in the Pasuk of Shema represent the attributes of Hashem that we mention every day in Tefilah: Gedulah (greatness); Gevurah (strength); Tiferes (splendor); Netzach (eternity); and Hod (beauty). When we recite Shema, we attribute these characteristics to Hashem. By doing so we gain these same characteristics – and become powerful beyond measure. In David’s case that power allowed stones to pass through iron.

When Yaakov Avinu composed Maariv, the stones beneath his head also fused into one. This was due to the Shema contained in his Tefillah.

In this week’s Parshah, when Klal Yisrael was sent into war, the Pasuk uses the word Shema. Rashi tells us, “Even though you only recited Shema, for that alone you should win the war.”

Shema unites us. It allows us to recognize Hashem as the source of all strength. When we recite it, that strength is transferred to us. Our power is then immeasurable, allowing us to accomplish seemingly impossible feats – such as lifting and placing a 600-ton stone into an eternal wall.

Have a wonderful Shabbos

Click here <http://therebbesvort.org/KosovParshasShoftim.mp3> to listen or

download the audio file therebbesvort.org/KosovParshasShoftim.mp3

The Kosover Rebbe Shlita has recorded a beautiful and powerful Dvar Torah on this week's parsha which is linked in this email. Below is a brief synopsis in writing. Please enjoy both as our continuing efforts to bring the Kosover Rebbe's beautiful divrei torah to the community.

As we approach Tisha B’Av, the saddest day of the year, we mourn our greatest loss: the Bais Hamikdash.  We yearn to see its restoration and to once again serve Hashem within its holy walls. In Parshas Devarim Moshe relays a powerful message that is as relevant to us, in our current state of mourning, as it was to the generation who stood before him thousands of years ago.

  

In this week’s Parshah Moshe recounts his history with Klall Yisrael, enumerating the great events they experienced, especially the day they stood at Har Sinai to accept the Torah. Moshe concludes, however, by drastically changing courses, saying that he is incapable of carrying their burden himself. Why does he change direction from expounding upon greatness to expressing his frustration with them?

As Moshe speaks he is preparing to bid farewell to Klall YIsrael after forty years of leading them in the desert. He will not continue to lead them as they embark upon their greatest journey yet – into the land of Israel. This is the punishment that was doled out to him by Hashem for addressing them as “Hamorim,” undisciplined people.

We begin to understand Moshe’s punishment back in Parshas Pinchos, when he witnesses ZImri sinning with a non-Jewish woman and begins to cry. Moshe’s tears were the result of an epiphany: face to face with a prominent member of Klal YIsrael battling his Yetzer Hora, he suddenly understood the very real internal struggle faced by every Jew. Until that point, from his lofty position, Moshe simply did not comprehend how a Jew could sin. Witnessing Zimri made him realize that his perspective had been flawed: they were not undisciplined, but rather succumbing to very real temptation. His word choice had indeed been a fatal flaw.

Now, however, Moshe was giving Klall Yisrael a powerful message. Yes, his word choice had been wrong, but he was right that they should not have acted out of sync with the ideal image they were meant to personify. “Remember Har Sinai?” he was saying. “Remember how you stood before Hashem, and He made you holy? You are still those same people, and you need to act that way.”

Matan Torah transformed Klall Yisrael into holy people. The Bais Hamikdash did the same thing. It was built for angels, with no facilities for regular human functioning, because that’s what they became when they entered.

We are the same people who stood at Har Sinai; we have within ourselves that holiness. We no longer have the Bais Hamikdash to renew that feeling of becoming pure and elevated, but we remain steadfast in our battle to regain it.

Moshe’s message to the people he stood before was that they destroyed themselves. Although they were elevated to lofty heights, they forgot who they were and so he could no longer bear their burden. In fact, he was being punished for it.

We too were once holy. We destroyed ourselves. By accepting the blame and understanding Moshe’s message – never giving up the fight to rebuild the Bais Hamikdash  – we will be Zocheh to serve Hashem in His Home once again.

May we merit it speedily in our days.


Click here to listen or download the audio file therebbesvort.org/Kosov%20Parshas%20Devorim.mp3

Kosov Rebbe Visits Israel Menachem Av 5772

Kosov Rebbe Conducting Yahrtzeit Tish For the Leket Oni Tamuz 5772

Wedding son of the Kossover Rebbe Sivan 5772

בורו פארק: הילולת האדמו"ר מקאסוב זצ"ל

קהל רב מתושבי בורו פארק נטלו חלק בשולחן הטהור שערך כ"ק אדמו"ר מקאסוב שליט"א לרגל הילולת אביו כ"ק 
אדמו"ר מקאסוב זצ"ל, למחרת עלה האדמו"ר עם קבוצה מחסידיו לפקוד את ציונו • גלריה

Pictures of Rabbi Moshe Chait at Baruch Cohen's brother Michael Cohen's Bris Young Israel of Wavecrest & Bayswater, August 1968

ADMOR RABBI DOVID SCHAPIRO, GEVOZHITZER REBBE OF BORO PARK, BCC'S GREAT UNCLE, RABBI DR. SAMUEL I COHEN, JULIUS LIEB, RABBI MOSHE CHAIT

RABBI MOSHE CHAIT; RABBI CHAIM ROSEN, BCC'S GREAT UNCLE, SON OF HARAV MOSHE ROSEN THE MECHABER OF THE SIFREI NEZER HAKODESH AND DIRECT DESCENDANT OF THE ROGATCHOVER GOAN

RABBI MOSHE CHAIT, MORAH D'ASRA, YOUNG ISRAEL OF WAVECREST &  BAYSWATER

RABBI MOSHE CHAIT, MORAH D'ASRA, YOUNG ISRAEL OF WAVECREST &  BAYSWATER

JULIUS LIEB, RABBI DR. SAMUEL I COHEN, ADMOR RABBI DOVID SCHAPIRO, GEVOZHITZER REBBE OF BORO PARK, RABBI MOSHE CHAIT, MORAH D'ASRA, YOUNG ISRAEL OF WAVECREST & BAYSWATER

ADMOR RABBI MENDEL TWERSKY, THE TOLNA REBBE OF PHILADEPHIA, BCC'S STEP-GRANDFATHER, RABBI MOSHE CHAIT, MORAH D'ASRA, YOUNG ISRAEL OF WAVECREST & BAYSWATER, RABBI DR. SAMUEL I COHEN, MOHEL

 

ADMOR RABBI MENDEL TWERSKY, THE TOLNA REBBE OF PHILADEPHIA, BARUCH CHAIM COHEN, BCC'S ZAIDIE HARAV HAGOAN R' MEIR COHEN, MENAHEL AGUDAS HARRABONIM OF NORTH AMERICA, BCC'S GREAT UNCLE, SON OF HARAV MOSHE ROSEN THE MECHABER OF THE SIFREI NEZER HAKODESH AND DIRECT DESCENDANT OF THE ROGATCHOVER GOAN, RABBI MOSHE CHAIT, MORAH D'ASRA, YOUNG ISRAEL OF WAVECREST & BAYSWATER

RABBI MOSHE CHAIT, MORAH D'ASRA, YOUNG ISRAEL OF WAVECREST & BAYSWATER, ADMOR RABBI HERCHEL HAGER, KOSSOVER REBBE OF BORO PARK

Purim 5772 In Kosov