16 Adar · Yahrzeit

"Pnei Menachem"

16 Adar is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter - the "Pnei Menachem" — the 6th Rebbe of Ger, who led the Gerrer Hasidic movement from 1992 to 1996. He was an authoritative Torah scholar, headed the Sfas Emes Yeshiva, and was highly respected for his wisdom, humility, and approach to education.

Yahrzeit - 16 Adar

Burial place - Jerusalem, in the courtyard of the Gerrer Yeshiva

Great-great-grandson of the founder of the Gerrer dynasty, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter (the Chiddushei HaRim).

Pnei Menachem Many remember his sudden passing in 1996. It was a time when terrorists had begun using a new tactic for the first time: a bus was blown up every day. The Rebbe took this very hard. He began telling those close to him that he needed to die in order to become an atonement for the Jewish people. On Purim, during the tish, he spoke not about Purim at all, but about how the death of a tzadik brings atonement. Going to sleep at the end of the holiday, for the first time in his life he did not place a "negel vasser" - a cup of water - by his bed. That night hepassed away. The bus bombings stopped, and there were none for about ten years. "Pnei Menachem" is buried next to his father, the Admor "Imrei Emet," in the courtyard of the Gerrer "Sfas Emes" Yeshiva. Many prayers are answered at this place, as attested by notes with testimonies from various people. The Ohel can be recognized by its stylized brick wall, similar to the one that stood in Ger, Poland. It is located in Jerusalem, not far from Jaffa Street, opposite the entrance to the Machane Yehuda market. The Rachmistrivka Rebbe tells the following story, which he heard from an eyewitness. The narrator lives abroad. His son's bar mitzvah was approaching. According to custom, a month beforehand, a tzadik puts tefillin on the boy for the very first time in his life. Pnei Menachem, who was not yet the Rebbe at that time, put tefillin on his son. Afterward, the boy's father made Pnei Menachem promise that when his second son grew up, he would put tefillin on him as well. A few months before the appointed time, he met Pnei Menachem and reminded him of his promise. The Rebbe said he remembered - the boy's bar mitzvah was on 16 Nissan, and the first tefillin-laying should take place on 16 Adar. But he would be busy that day, so the boy should come the day before, on the 15th. The father and son came, and the Rebbe put tefillin on the boy. However, he refused to promise the same for a third son. A few hours later, the Rebbe passed away. May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!

(With personal permission from Rabbi Yaakov Doktor, from his book "At the Shabbat Table")

Source: https://silatehilim.com/en/events/16-адара-йорцайт-пней-менахем/

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