| Menachem Mendel Hager | |
| Honorific-Suffix: | of Kosov |
| Honorific-Prefix: | Rabbi |
| Dynasty: | Kosov |
| Birth Date: | 1768 |
| Death Date: | 29 October 1825 |
| Birth Place: | Kolomyia, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth |
| Mother: | Chaya |
| Father: | Yaakov Koppel Hager |
| Spouse: | Shaina Rachel |
| Yahrtzeit: | 17 Cheshvan |
| Children: | ,, Sarah Leah |
| Death Place: | Kosiv, Habsburg monarchy |
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov, nicknamed the "Ahavat Shalom", (1768–29 October 1825) was a Hasidic rebbe and founder of the Kosov dynasty, which he led from 1802 until his death in 1825.[1] He is well-known for his book, The Love of Peace.[2]
Hager was born in Kolomyia (modern-day Ukraine) to Rabbi Yaakov Koppel Hager and his wife Chaya.[3] He studied under Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sasov, Rabbi, Rabbi Meshullam Feivush Heller, and Rabbi .
From an early age, he devoted most of his life to Torah study and only engaged in commerce enough to earn a living for basic necessities. He accepted the position of rabbinate in Kosov and became the mentor to thousands of Hasidim. He, along with his wife Rebbetzin Shaina Rachel, was the first member of the Kosov Hasidic of the Hager family, of which came the subgroups of Vizhnitz Hasidism,, and others.[4]
Becoming popular among Hasidim, Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa said that his feet burned to want to meet the rebbe of Kosov.[5] The Seer of Lublin referred to him as a "king".
After the death of his wife, Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sasov sent two children, a boy and a girl, to Hager, his former student, to take care of their upbringing and education. Moshe died about three months later.
Among Hager's students were:
He died on 29 October 1825.
Among his children are: