The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Yisroel Hager, who was in Los Angeles for the past two and a half months following a complex surgery, departed last night on a private jet bound for Switzerland, where he will be staying for a period of rest and recuperation.
The Rebbe took off from Los Angeles at 10:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday night, en route to Davos, where he is expected to remain for ten days.
Barring any changes, the Rebbe is scheduled to return to Eretz Yisroel at the start of the week of Lag BaOmer.
Upon his return, a major welcome event is planned, featuring a grand kabbalas panim by all the talmidim of Vizhnitz’s talmudei Torah schools across the country.
In Eretz Yisroel, preparations are already underway for a high-profile conference of the Vizhnitz institutions, set to take place in Rosh Pina. The exclusive gathering will bring together prominent philanthropists and dignitaries from around the world, with the participation of the Rebbe himself.
Additionally, the main Lag BaOmer event in Bnei Brak, including the traditional bonfire lighting, is scheduled to take place under the leadership of the Rebbe. However, the exact location of the event is still under discussion, as organizers expect a massive turnout from across the country, especially as it will be the Rebbe’s first major public appearance since his surgery.
In advance of the Rebbe’s arrival in Switzerland, a group of six outstanding yeshiva students—described as the “lions” of the Vizhnitzer yeshivos—were selected to accompany him and maintain their full Torah study schedule during the stay in Davos. The talmidim were carefully chosen by the administrations of the yeshivos in Kiryat Vizhnitz, Brachfeld, and Elad. Among them is Tzvi Elimelech Askal, son of Rabbi Ephraim Askal, a prominent chassid, who recently completed the entire Shas. He merited the Rebbe’s participation at the siyum celebration held at Yeshivas Yeshuos Moshe-Vizhnitz in Brachfeld.
All are asked to continue davening for Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther for his swift return to full strength.
{Matzav.com Israel}