Prominent Vizhnitz Hasid Dies Suddenly Hours After Arriving in Israel
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Raziel Steinmetz, a prominent Vizhnitz Hasid from Antwerp, died suddenly in Ashdod, Israel, about an hour after arriving from Montreal. He had attended his grandson's wedding in Canada. Steinmetz, around 70, was known for his devotion to Torah, Hasidism, and the Land of Israel. He collapsed at his son's home upon arrival and could not be revived by emergency services.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Raziel Steinmetz, a prominent Vizhnitz Hasid from Antwerp, died suddenly in Ashdod, Israel.
- He collapsed about an hour after arriving in Israel from Montreal.
- Steinmetz had attended his grandson's wedding in Canada.
- He was known for his devotion to Torah and the Land of Israel.
- Emergency services attempted resuscitation but were unsuccessful.
Raziel Steinmetz, a well-known and respected figure among Vizhnitz Hasidim in Antwerp, has died suddenly. He passed away approximately one hour after landing in Israel, having returned from Montreal where he attended his grandson's wedding. Steinmetz, who was around 70 years old, was born in Borsha, Romania, to Yitzchak Yisrael Steinmetz. His mother was told before his birth that the child would not survive, but a rabbi assured her he would be born alive and bring her great nachas, which he did, establishing a large family devoted to Torah and Hasidism.
His father later moved the family to Antwerp, where he owned the "Steinmetz Bakery." In his youth, Raziel Steinmetz studied at the Vizhnitz yeshiva and became deeply attached to the Hasidic rebbes. He married the daughter of Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Hoffman, who served as the rabbi of Munkacs after the Holocaust. Despite living in Antwerp, Steinmetz maintained a strong connection to the Land of Israel, frequently visiting to be near the rebbes and later the current Vizhnitz Rebbe. He even purchased an apartment in Kiryat Vizhnitz to use during his visits.
Steinmetz was known for his business acumen, first running a grocery store and later a health food shop. His acquaintances described his shop as often closed when he was in Antwerp, as he would use the time to help others or collect charity. He was considered the "lifeblood" of the Antwerp community, fostering a generation dedicated to Torah and genuine Hasidism. In the past year, he used a wheelchair due to leg treatment but continued his routines. Upon arriving in Israel on Thursday afternoon, he went to his son's home in Ashdod, where he collapsed at the entrance. Despite resuscitation efforts by emergency services, he passed away.