Tzadikim

Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger

Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter (1847--1905), also known by the title of his main work, the Sfas Emes, was a Hasidic rabbi who succeeded his grandfather, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter, as the av beis din (head of the rabbinical court) and Rav of Góra Kalwaria, Poland (known in Yiddish as the town of Ger), and succeeded the Rebbe, Reb Heynekh of Alexander, as Rebbe of the Gerrer Hasidim.

Chassidic leader Kabbalist and talmudist.

Born: Warsaw, Poland, 15 April 1847
Died: Ger, Poland, January 1905, 1905
 

Popularly known as Sefat Emet ("Language of Truth"), the title of his work. Chassidic leader and talmudist.

Because his father, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai, died when Yehudah Aryeh Leib was only 8 years old, he was raised by his grandfather, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir, Chiddushei Harym, the first Gerrer Rebbe. He distinguished himself by the diligence with which he studied Torah, devoting 18 hours each day to mastering Talmud, the Zohar, and Chassidic classics;  becoming a gaon (preeminent  authority) both in niglah and nistar, the reveald and mystical aspects of the Torah.

In 1870 he reluctantly agreed to becoming the second Gerrer Rebbe. His monumental work, Sefat Emet al HaTorah, is a commentary on the Torah in five volumes. His comments stress the moral and ethical lessons to be derived from the text, offering many kabbalistic allusions. The author's vast knowledge, profound wisdom, and total dedication to God and Torah are reflected in all his writings. Sefat Emet on Tractate Kodashim is studied avidly by the entire spectrum of Torah scholars, ranging from chassidic to "Lithuanian." 

The title Sefat Emet , taken from the passage Sefat emet tikon la'ad, "Truthful speech abides forever" (Proverbs 12:19), was chosen by his children, who published his works, because it was the last verse on which he commented before his passing.

The Sefat Emet was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, the Imrei Emet, under whose leadership Gerrer Chasidut grew to embrace more than 100,00 chasidim, most of whom were annihilated by the Nazis. The Imrei Emet escaped miraculously. From the ashes of the Holocaust he rebuilt an ever-growing vibrant Gerrer movement, centered around the splendid Yeshivah Sefat Emet in Jerusalem. Today, Gerrer Chasidut spans the globe, making Ger once again a mighty force for Torah-observant Judaism.

Books available by the Sefas Emet:
English

 Book review http://www.bjpa.org/publications/downloadFile.cfm?FileID=8583

More related books: http://seforimcenter.com/Rabbi-Yehudah-Aryeh-Leib-Alter-of-Ger-Sefat-Emet__c-p-0-0-565.aspx

Sefas Emet al Hatorah (5 vol.)  (Hebrew)
Sefas Emes al HaShaas (3 vol.) (Hebrew)
Ma'amrei Sefat Emet (Chanukah and Purim) (Hebrew)

Days of Joy  (English)
Days of Awe (English)

May the merit of the tzaddik  Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger  protect us all, Amen.

Video by ME Production

Light a virtual Candle
  • Soul Elevations

    • רבי יחיאל הלל בן רבי יעקב
    • Noah ben Yosef
    • Gary Fishmen ben Stanley
    • שיינה מינדל בת ר' יחיאל הלל
  • Healing

    • Thomas ben Karin
    • יצחק ירחמיאל בן משה פייבל
    • יותם בן זהבה
    • Thomas ben Karin
    • Shmuel ben Manya
    • Miriam bat Sarah
    • Thomas ben Karin
    • Zalman ben Ruchel
    • Roberto Isaac ben Teresa
    • JOSE LITUMA ben Sarah
    • משה אהרון בן לאה ביילא
    • כלב יצחק בן רבקה
    • אתי בן נורית
    • Joel ben Midge
    • Natalie bat Alexandra
    • איתי בן רחל
    • אריאל בן אפרת
    • הראל בן חנה
    • Thomas ben Karin
    • Patricio Luis Alberto Mauricio Angelo Gary ben Sara
    • אלרועי ינון בן סיגל
    • יאיר בן נעמי אסתר
    • Efrat bat Ziona
    • Thomas ben Karin
    • Robert Eugene ben Marie
    • Sarah bat Luiza
    • עוז משה בן תמר
    • חיים בן מרים
    • Luiz ben Maria
    • Aurelia bat Aurelia
  • Success in life

    • Robert ben Yosef
    • Moshe Yitro ben Pedro Shaul
    • Esther bat Pedro juan
    • Shmuel ben Shmuel
    • Michelle bat Jose
    • Ingrid bat Horst
    • Nicole bat Pilar
    • Debbie bat Ralph
    • Daniel ben Shimon
    • Tzivia Gallegos bat Dionicio
    • Augusto ben Salvador R. Hernandez
    • Luiz ben Lino
    • DANNIELA bat BLANCA SONIA
    • GRACIELA ben ISMAEL
    • Florrie Sésé bat Kae
    • Sarah bat Primo
    • Esther bat Pedro juan
Light a virtual Candle


Hillulot | Biographies | Prayers | Virtual Candle