November 6 (2001)

The Two Viznitz's

By CHAIM SHNEIDER, HasidicNews.com Researcher

Viznitz started in Hungary about hundred years ago. After the WWII Reb Chayim Mei'rel, as he was affectionately called was leading the sect in Bnei Brak, Israel.

Disciples from pre-war Europe gathered around him and formed the "Kirya" (town) in Bnei Brak, along with a comprehensive net of educational and communal institutions. He was later known to head the Ultra-Orthodox political and social organization "Agudas Yisrael". Agudas Yisrael has had roughly 4 seats in the Israeli Knesset (out of 120) from the time it was founded to this day. It has thus never had major political influence, yet it managed to extract significant "concessions" and financial aid from the ruling governments in return for their support of the ruling party or coalition.

Reb Chayim Mei'rel had two sons, the older Moshelle and the younger Mottele. While the Moshelle was raised and educated in the community, Mottelle preferred to study the Talmud in the Satmar Yeshiva in Brooklyn after he came to the US for a visit and became attracted to the Satmar "Shittah" (unique religious policy). He was somewhat resented back home in Viznitz for this act signaling a departure from the traditional Viznitz style.

After Reb Chayim Mei'rel passed away, Reb Moshelle was, expectedly, appointed to lead the Viznitz community in Bnei Brak, while some dissenters and Viznitz Hassidim in the US gathered around Moshelle and helped him create the Viznitz community in the fledgling Jewish settlement in Monsey, NY. He quickly became known as a "kanui" (zealot). He protested his brothers participation in the secular anti-messianic Israeli government as well as other policies. While he was a stanch disciple and referrer of the old Satmar Rebbe Joel Teitelbaum, he wasn't as kind in relation to the newly appointed nephew Moshe Teitelbaum. He frequently criticized him and drew harsh reaction in return.

In the famous Kiryat Joel independent school district case that ultimately came before the Supreme Court of the United States, he was outspoken against Satmar. He publicly criticized Aaron's handling of the case as Aaron announced that no religious studies were being taught to the handicapped children and that "god's name is not being mentioned" in the government-sponsored premises. Aaron was prompted to say this in order to continue receiving the millions of dollars in aid from the government and not violate the separation of church and state constitutional clause. Reb Mottelle and other Rabbis believed that this announcement was an immense "Chillul Hashem" (profanity of god's name).

While Reb Mottelle has always stuck to a very independent non-chalant mannerism of publicly criticizing any Rebbe or Hasidic leader he believed wasn't doing or saying the right thing, he did manage to maintain a chore of followers and established various "shtieblech" (cells) throughout the Metropolitan area and even abroad. Some people came to admire his obstinate attitude while others believed that it was simply stupid to get involved in every Hasidic sect's internal affairs and announce his opinion unasked.

Reb Moshelle held on the existing and much-larger Viznitz community in Bnei Brak and followed a very traditional Viznitz-like model. He had a very elegant "Hadras Panim" and commanded significant respect in the religious establishment in Israel, both as being one of the largest Hasidic sects in Israel and as being the president of the "Aguda". He is also known for his long and beautiful friday night "Tish" and his extensive skill in public speaking. His three daughters were married to Aaron Teitelbam, Rav of Kiryat Joel, Yisuchar Dov Roke'ach, Belz'e Rebbe and the Skver'e Rebbe.

The Shiduch (engagement) that he did with the then-Sigget'e Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum drew much opposition and stirred up much controversy in Satmar. When the Satmar Rebbe passed away in 1978 and he was viewed as a potential successor as the closest akin, many people objected for the mere reason that he was "Meshadech" with an "Agadist". Years later, after Moshe was elected Satmar Rebbe and his son Aaron Kiryat Joel Rav and Aaron celebrated the wedding of his son Mendel, inviting his father-in-law Reb Moshelle to the wedding, Hassidim pinched his legs and tossed orange peels on the Viznitz'e Rebbe and Aaron had to beg his Hassidim to leave his father-in-law alone.