When Satmar kept the 'Zionist' coin for a virtue

In light of the Vizhnitz Rebbe's first visit to the U.S., which was accompanied by a large entourage of his followers, to participate in the Bar Mitzvah of his twin grandchildren, a number of episodes and events of interest were recorded in recent days.

One of the distinguished guests, who attend the various occasions, was a nephew of the Rebbe - Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager – son of the Vizhnitz Rebbe, the rabbi of the Vizhnitz community in Borough Park. The nephew was welcomed honorably, and Gabbaim sat him very close to the Rebbe, a sight which inspired excitement among those present, and he participated in the lighting the candles, at the table led by the Rebbe on Shabbos Chanukah and at the tisch for Zos Chanuka in Monsey - incorporated with the Chanukas Habayis of the Beit Midrash Yeshuot Moshe in Monsey.

Another distinguished guest who came to participate at the Chanukas Habayis of the Beit Midrash Yeshuot Moshe Vizhnitz, was the Satmar Rebbe. Likewise, Rabbi Yisrael Hager also participated, Av Beis Din Monsey, son of Rebbe Vizhnitz Monsey and sons and son in laws of the Squarer Rebbe.

For the candle lighting, thousands came to participate, including hundreds of Satmar chassidim. After the lighting, the Rebbe gave out Chanukah coins brought from Israel. This is a half-shekel coin packaged in a special package of plastic, printed in Israel, as is customary by the Rebbe. In a slightly surreal spectacle, a mass army of Satmar chassidim bent over the table of the Rebbe, to get the coin, and save it as a virtue.

One of the participants in attendance was Rabbi Kalman Shektel, resident of Borough Park, and senior Vizhnitz composer, who sang after lighting the candles of the Rebbe. At the end of the standing, when he passed by the Rebbe to receive the Chanukah money and a blessing, the Rebbe asked him if he intends to participate In the davening and Shabbos tables which he intends to hold.


"For Shabbos, I plan to hopefully go to the town of Monsey to stay with the Rebbe of Vizhnitz Monsey," Rabbi Kalman apologized. The Rebbe nodded and wished him "a guten Chanuka."


But many thoughts to a man: On Friday morning, shortly before Reb Kalman was about to leave to Monsey, he felt unwell. Hatzalah medics who arrived at his home diagnosed that he suffered a heart attack and rushed him to the hospital, where he was hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!