Vizhnitz Rebbe Undergoes Successful Heart Procedure at Hadassah Ein Kerem

The spiritual leader of the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty successfully underwent a heart procedure to implant a pacemaker at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The procedure was performed by Professor David Lurie, head of the Electrophysiology and Pacemaker Unit at the hospital. The Rebbe is expected to remain hospitalized for medical observation and monitoring by the medical teams.

The treatment, which was scheduled for Tuesday morning, followed an announcement Monday evening that the Rebbe would undergo the procedure. Following the announcement, tens of thousands of Vizhnitz Hasidim worldwide gathered for prayers for his swift and complete recovery. Special prayer gatherings were held in Bnei Brak, at the Western Wall, in Meron, and a group of Hasidim traveled to the tomb of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk in Poland.

Prior to the medical procedure, the Rebbe attended the wedding of his granddaughter, the daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Mordechai Hager, the Vizhnitz dayan of Elad. During the celebration, the Rebbe was seen encouraging singing, particularly a tune whose acronym he specially adapted for the current Hebrew year, 5787.

The Hasidic community continues to call on all Jews to pray for the complete recovery of the Rebbe, identified as Rabbi Yisrael ben Leah Esther, among all the sick of Israel.