Thousands Pray for Vizhnitz Rebbe's Health Ahead of Heart Procedure

Thousands of Vizhnitz Hasidim worldwide are being called upon to pray for the recovery of their spiritual leader, the Vizhnitz Rebbe, Rabbi Yisrael ben Leah Esther, who is scheduled to undergo a heart procedure to implant a pacemaker on Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem.

During the procedure, large gatherings of Hasidim are expected to convene in synagogues and holy sites across Israel and abroad for communal prayers. These prayer vigils will take place in various locations, including Bnei Brak, near the Western Wall, in Meron, and a special group of Hasidim will travel to the tomb of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk in Poland to offer prayers. The community is urging all of Israel to continue praying for the Rebbe's complete and swift recovery, alongside all the sick among the Jewish people.

Despite the impending medical treatment, the Rebbe appeared at a celebration for his granddaughter's engagement on Monday evening. His granddaughter is the daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Mordechai Hager, the head of the Vizhnitz rabbinical court in Elad. During the celebration, the Rebbe was seen encouraging singing, particularly a tune whose acronym he specially adapted for the Hebrew year 5787 (2026-2027).