Rav Yisroel was the son of Rav Baruch Hagar of Vizhnitz.
He was known for his genius that was only matched by his love for every Jew - even the simplest and lowliest of them all—towards whom he demonstrated the utmost honor and respect.
He was among the greatest gedolim and leaders of his generation and his thousands of followers and chassidim hailed from Eastern Galicia, Romania and Hungary.
He was also the leader of Kollel Vishnitz. The auspices of the tzedaka for Rabbi Meir Baal Haness were under his authority, and he distributed charity from the fund to the poor in Eretz Yisroel.
He served as Rav in Devlia and the Máramaros region, and afterwards he was AvBeisDin in Vishnitz.
At age sixteen he married Hinda the daughter of Rav Meir Horowitz of Dzhikov, author of Imrei Noam, the grandson of Rav Naphtali Horowitz who was the founder of the Ropshitzer Dynasty.
When his father, the Imrei Baruch, passed away on 20 Kislev 5653/1893 he succeeded him as Vishnitzer Rebbe. He had many thousands of followers and served in Vishnitz as rebbe for over 43 years. In 1905 he founded the famous Vishnitz Yeshiva, Bais Yisroel.
Because of the affection that he felt and demonstrated towards every Jew, he became known as "the Ahavas Yisrael," which is also the name of his seforim that were published posthumously.
When Rav Yechezkel Pannet of Desz once observed the Ahavas Yisroel as a yungerman he remarked: Here goes a yungerman whose feet are planted firmly on the ground, but whose head reaches to the very Heavens!
Rav Aharon Roth of Shomer Emunim said of him that he merited an ayin tova when it came to spiritual matters-- he bestowed a good eye on all he gazed upon.
The Ahavas Yisroel once said about himself: "How do I know that I am not a goner? Because when I see a good Jew, I love him, even if he is not one of my own followers!"
During the first World War he fled to Grossvardein where he lived out the remainder of his days.
He passed away on 2 Sivan 5696/1936
He was laid to rest in Grossvarden, and later in 5710/1950, he was reinterred in the Vizhnitzer Ohel in Bnei Brak, Eretz Yisroel.
He left behind his sons: Rav Menachem Mendel of Vishiva; Rav Chaim Meir the Imrei Chaim; Rav Eliezer Hager, the Damesek Eliezer; Rav Baruch of Seret, founder of the Sereter Dynasty; and Rav Shmuel Abba Hager.
HIS SEGULOS:
Segulas For Learning Sefer Degel Machane Ephraim
The Berditchever Rav author of Kedushas Levi wrote that “I am assured that this sefer will enliven and inspire the hearts of our brethren Bnei Yisroel and set them aflame to serve Hashem with avodas haBoreh Baruch Hu.” (Haskamah to Degel)
The Chozeh of Lublin said that “Surely the author (who was a gaon and G-dly man)’s merit shall aid and help all who study these words that came out from his holy mouth and when they recite them in the name of the author his lips will move in the grave and who will act as an advocate on our behalf because tzadikim are even greater in death than in life.” (Haskamah to Degel)
The Ahavas Yisroel of Vizshnitz once told his son the Damesek Eliezer that the heilige Rizhiner testified to his followers and Chassidim that just to study the holy Sefer Degel Macheneh Ephraim is a segulah for good children – Lernen in Degel iz mesegual tzi gitte kinder! (Siach Zekenim 5 p.42)
