Wedding Invitation from the Admo"r of Otynia, Rabbi Chaim Hager

Wedding Invitation from the Admo"r of Otynia, Rabbi Chaim Hager

Invitation from the Admo"r Rabbi Chaim Hager of Otynia (son of the 'Imrei Baruch' and brother of the 'Ahavat Yisrael' of Vizhnitz), to the wedding of his granddaughter to the bridegroom Elazar ben Rabbi Shalom, son of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Shtroznitz. Handwritten addition in the invitation's margins (from the gabbai). Stanislav [1927].

Before us is a printed invitation to the Admo"r's granddaughter's wedding from the Admo"r himself. There is a handwritten addition from the gabbai indicating where to send the wedding gift. There is also a handwritten correction in the body of the invitation. The invitation is apparently to the wedding of the daughter of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, the Admo"r's son who predeceased him, hence his not being mentioned in the invitation. The bridegroom, Rabbi Elazar, was a son of Rabbi Shalom Hager of Shtroznitz, son of the Admo"r Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Shtroznitz, who apparently served as rabbi of the 'Beit Shalom' synagogue in London after the Holocaust.

The Admo"r Rabbi Chaim Hager of Otynia [1862-1932], son of Rabbi Baruch Hager - the second Admo"r of Vizhnitz, author of Imrei Baruch. Rabbi Chaim was raised by his great grandfather, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, author of Tzemach Tzedek of Vizhnitz. He was rabbinically ordained at the age of 13 by the leading rabbis of Galicia [including Rabbi Shlomo Drimmer, author of Bayit L'Shlomo]. After his father's passing in 1893, he established his court in Otynia, Eastern Galicia, and thousands of Chassidim were soon drawn to him. Rabbi Chaim suffered much, undergoing dozens of operations due to his physical weakness. It is told that when he underwent a lengthy and complex operation, the doctors wanted to anesthetize him. Rabbi Chaim refused and requested that the Zohar be brought to him, as well as a cigarette, and that candles be lit above him. After a half an hour of study, they could begin to operate. Indeed, he didn't stir for the entire procedure. This astonished the doctors and the matter was soon published in the local press. Aside from his Torah prowess, he was also a master of prayer and a musician. He added melodies and emphases to the prayer style of Vizhnitz Chassidut. He also composed melodies, such as the second part of Vizhnitz Chassidut's "Odeh LaKel." He passed away while he was lighting candles, just after concluding the shehecheyanu blessing for lighting the first Chanukah candle. Most of his Torah thoughts were lost during the war. After his passing, his Chassidim printed Tal Chaim on Torah and Nimukei Chaim on Talmud.

[2] pages, paper. 18 cm. Left leaf: The invitation, in Hebrew. The right side is entirely in a foreign language: The Admo"r's printed name and address; the sender's and addressee's addresses; postage stamps and postmarks. Moderate-fine condition. Aging stains. Fold marks, tears in the folds without damage or lack.