For the tens of thousands of Vizhnitz Hasidim, Wednesday couldn’t have brought more wonderful news after learning their beloved Rebbe had been discharged from a Los Angeles hospital.

At 79 years of age, Rabbi Yisrael Hager guides one of the largest and misunderstood Hasidic communities in the world. He is expected to recuperate at a private LA residence provided by a student before his return to Israel.

“G-d’s kindness has not ended, as His mercy has not ended; may G-d help us so that everything will continue to work out in the best way possible. Our leader, our rebbe, is regaining the strength that he has and will with G-d’s help return to his holy home, healthy in body and with light from Above,” read the official announcement from Vizhnitz leadership.

Known as the last person to consider public opinion or popularity, especially in matters of the soul, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe made headlines beyond Chareidi newspapers after Hamas launched its vicious Oct. 7 massacre against Israel. Standing at his synagogue in Bnei Brak on the Shabbat following the attack, the Rebbe broke with precedent to offer a heartfelt prayer for IDF soldiers fighting to defend the nation.

“He who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, may He bless and safeguard and assist and protect and save all our brethren, the house of Israel, who stand in battle against those who hate Israel,” the rebbe prayed after being called to the Torah.

“God will cause them to recuperate, heal them, strengthen them, and revive them. And may He send them from heaven complete recovery for all their limbs and their sinews, together with all Jews who are ill, a healing of the soul and a healing of the body.”

Rabbi Hager also extended prayers to those in captivity, asking that God “be filled with mercy for them, and grant them mercy before their captors, and rescue the prisoner from confinement, and proclaim release for the captives and liberation for the imprisoned, and speedily return them to their homes in peace.””

For those seeking spiritual guidance such loss and pain, the Rebbe’s prayer gave and still gives hope that healing is possible even in the depths of despair.