The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Yisroel Hager, will remain in Eretz Yisroel this summer rather than follow his usual practice of traveling abroad for rest, his office announced. Starting on Tu B'Av, he will begin receiving chassidim in preparation for Rosh Hashanah, with appointments scheduled through Rosh Chodesh Elul. A separate announcement about reception hours during Elul will be issued later.
In most years, the Rebbe spends this period abroad for rest and recuperation. Since he will remain in Eretz Yisroel this year, the decision was made to begin kabbolas kahal earlier, providing thousands of chassidim additional opportunities for private audiences and to submit kvitlach before the Yomim Nora'im.
Traditionally, the Rebbe has traveled each year to Chaldodna in the United Kingdom for rest, and occasionally to Davos, Switzerland. In recent years, due to his medical condition, he has spent those periods between treatments in the Israeli community of Ora, near Yerushalayim.
Officials said the earlier start to kabbolas kahal is intended to accommodate the expected influx of chassidim seeking his blessing before Rosh Hashanah 5787 by distributing appointments across a longer timeframe. Tefillos continue for the Rebbe's complete recovery. His name for tefillah is Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther, b'soch she'ar cholei Yisroel.