The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, Rav Mordechai Hager, will be undergoing a tracheotomy today at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

The 95-year-old admor, who leads his chassidus in Kaser Village in Monsey, NY, has been dealing with numerous medical challenges. He had been on and off a respirator over the last week.

The rebbe resides in Monsey, in a home located right next to his bais medrash in Kaser.

The rebbe was born in 1922, a son of the fourth rebbe of Vizhnitz, Rav Chaim Meir Hager, the Imrei Chaim. The rebbe‘s brother was Rav Moshe Hager zt”l, the Yeshuos Moshe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, father of the present admorim of Vizhnitz Bnei Brak. Rav Mordechai and Rav Moshe took over leadership of the Chassidus over 40 years ago with the passing of their father, the Imrei Chaim, with Rav Moshe leading the kehillah in Bnei Brak and Rav Mordechai leading the kehillah in Monsey/Kaser.

In addition to leading his large chassidus, the rebbe has raised an exemplary family, including his 14 children, 8 sons and 6 daughters, and many ainiklach.

The hope is that today’s procedure will allow the rebbe to breathe with greater ease.

All are asked to daven for a refuah sheleimah for Rav Mordechai ben Margolia.

{CB Frommer-Matzav.com Newscenter}