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Сила Теилим

23 Adar · Yahrzeit

Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter (Rothenberg) - the "Chiddushei HaRim"

Rabbi Yitzchak Meir ben Yisroel Rothenberg-Alter - the "Chiddushei HaRim" (1866), a direct descendant of the Maharam of Rothenburg - founder of the Ger dynasty. Yahrzeit - 23 Adar Resting place - Góra Kalwaria, Poland   Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Rothenberg-Alter was the first Rebbe of the Ger Chassidic dynasty, which he founded in the town of Góra Kalwaria, Poland. He headed the Meir Baal HaNes Kollel in Poland, and his followers would sometimes affectionately call him Reb Itche Meir (Yiddish). Rabbi Alter was born in Magnuszew, Poland, at the end of 1799. He came from a very distinguished rabbinic family, one of the most prominent in Germany and Poland. He was a descendant of Rashi and of the Tosafist Rabbi Meir ben Baruch of Rothenburg - the Maharam of Rothenburg. He married Feigele Lifshitz, daughter of Moshe "Chalfon" Lifshitz, in 1811 and settled in Warsaw. According to most published sources, they had fourteen children, most of whom died in infancy. Rabbi Alter became renowned as a Talmudic Gaon. At first he was close to the Rebbe of Kozhnitz. A few years later he was drawn to Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, becoming one of his close followers. After the passing of Rabbi Simcha Bunim, Alter became a disciple of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, also known as the Kotzker Rebbe, who was known for his sharp wit and mastery of Talmud. A large number of Simcha Bunim's followers soon followed him there as well. Alter and the Kotzker Rebbe eventually became brothers-in-law, when the latter married Chaya Lifshitz, the sister of Alter's wife Feigele. In 1830 he was forced to change his name to Alter because of his support for the Poles during the November Uprising. Rabbi Alter was succeeded by his colleague and disciple, Rabbi Chanoch Henoch of Alexander. One of his sons, Avraham Mordechai, and three daughters, Kina Pesia, Leah Chudes, and Esther, lived to adulthood and married. However, by the time of Alter's passing on 23 Adar 5626 (1866), only one child (Esther) was still living. May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!
Pilgrimage site: Grave: Chiddushei HaRim