The Kossover Rebbe, Rav Shraga Feivish Hager zt”l

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shraga Feivish Hager zt”l, the Kossover Rebbe, a revered manhig, a dayan, and a notable darshan. He was 66 years old.

The rebbe was born on January 10th, 1958. He was an alumnus of the yeshivos of Chachmei Lublin, Ponevezh, and Lakewood.

After his marriage, he resided in Bnei Brak, on the same block as Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l. He spent time in Shikun Viznitz, attending the tishen and tefillos of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rav Moshe Yehoshua Hager.

Upon moving to the United States, he settled in Borough Park, Brooklyn, where he was part of the Tartokover Kollel and Beis Din. He also spent time at the Bais Horaah of the Debrecener Rav, Rav Moshe Stern, and considered himself a primary disciple of Rav Fishel Hershkowitz in Williamsburg.

The rebbe was the eldest son and successor of Holocaust-survivor Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel Hager, the Kossover-Zalishchiker Rebbe of Borough Park, who passed away in 1999.

His grandfather was Rav Shraga Feivish Hager (1870–1937), the Zalishchiker Rebbe, son of Rav Boruch Hager (1845–1892) of Vizhnitz. The Zalishchiker Rebbe was a son-in-law of Rav Moshe Hager (1860–1925), the Kossover Rebbe and author of Leket Oni.

The rebbe was married to Rebbetzin Sara Rachel, daughter of Rabbi Chaim Meir Wosner, rov of Zichron Meir in Bnei Brak, and granddaughter of Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner.

The rebbe younger brother was crowned as the Zalishchiker Rebbe and together they republished the Leket Oni in 1996.

The rebbe served as the dayan of the Vizhnitzer kehillah in Borough Park and was a posek for Chesed Shel Emes.

He was renowned for his involvement in contemporary halachic issues, courageously addressing difficult topics.

The rebbe was unique in his ability to bridge diverse traditions and schools of thought within the frum community.

His lineage connected him to both the Vizhnitz and Rizhin dynasties, and through his mother, he was a descendant of the Sandza Rav. His marriage to a Wosner further blended the worlds of halacha and Chassidus, making him both a dayan and a rebbe. This unique background allowed him to be embraced by various kehillos within the community.

Despite his esteemed positions, the rebbe was known for his humility. He insisted that his kehillah not wait for his arrival for davening and made himself exceptionally accessible to everyone. Whether approached on the street, at home, or by phone, he never turned anyone away.

Although a formal schedule for meeting with people was eventually established, the rebbe continued to engage more informally than formally. His weekday tefillos were often conducted in local shuls.

The rebbe’s tish began in an unconventional manner. Following his father’s shivah, a small group began attending his Shabbos meals, transforming them into a tish. Over time, as more people joined, the rebbe agreed to conduct a tish at the shtiebel but started his meal at home. The role of gabbai was never officially appointed but was filled by volunteers from the crowd.

The rebbe was known for his deep mystical teachings. He was particularly devoted to the teachings of Rav Shimon bar Yochai and celebrated Lag B’Omer with great fervor, often visiting Rav Shimon’s kever in Eretz Yisroel.

The rebbe published several works, including Shabbos Malka Kadisha, a two-volume set on Shabbos, Avdah D’Malka – Tefilah, a two-volume set on tefillah, and Mayana D’Malka, a sefer on Chassidus. His shiurim were widely distributed in print and audio formats, and some were delivered in English.

The rebbe led several shtiebelach around the world, including in Borough Park, Williamsburg, Lakewood, and Yerushalayim.

He maintained a special connection to the historic Kossov shul in Tzefas, regularly sending financial support for its upkeep.

The rebbe battled illness for the last couple of years and was niftar on Shabbos morning.

The levayah will be held Sunday morning, 11 a.m., at the Kossover Bais Medrash, located at 1353 55th Street in Boro Park, followed a levayah at the Vizhnitzer Bais Medrash, located at 25 Phyllis Terrace in Kaser Village in Monsey. Kevurah will then take place at the Vizhnitzer Bais Hachaim on Route 306 in Monsey. The rebbe reportedly requested that no hespeidim be delivered.

The rebbe is survived by his dedicated rebbetzin and their family.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{CB Frommer – Matzav.com}