Yitzchak Meir Alter

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Yitzchak Myer Alter (also Rottenburg, Rothenburg or Rothenberg as an alternate for "Alter") (1798 - March 10, 1866), was also known as the Chidushei Harim for his Torah book/s. He is sometimes referred to fondly as Reb Itche Myer by his followers. He was an Orthodox Judaism rabbi and founder of the Ger (Hasidic dynasty) within Hasidic Judaism in the town of Góra Kalwaria ("Ger" in short) in Poland. He came from a very distinguished family of rabbis, among the most prominent in Germany and Poland. He was a descendant of Rashi, and R. Meir ben Baruch of Rothenburg (1215 - 1293) the Tosafist. He is considered to be the first rebbe (Hasidic spiritual leader) of the Ger Hasidic dynasty.

Yitschok Myer was born in Magnuszew, Poland, in late 1798. He married Feigele Lipszyc, daughter of Moshe 'Halfon' Lipszyc, in 1811. They had fourteen children (according to most published sources), most of whom died in infancy.

Yischok Myer became known as a Talmudic genius. At first he was close to the rebbes of Kozhnitz. After some years he was drawn to the Rebbe Reb Simcha Bunim of Prshischa whose close adherent he became. After the demise of the Rebbe Reb Binem, Yitschok Myer, in common with many of the former's chasidim, became a disciple of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, known as the Kotzker rebbe, who was famous for his acerbic wit and Talmudic brilliance. The two eventually became brothers-in-law, when the Kotzker Rebbe married Chaya Lipszyc, sister of Rabbi Yitschok Myer's wife Feigele.

Rabbi Yitzchak Myer Alter was succeeded by his colleague and disciple Rabbi Chanoch Henoch of Alexander.

One son, Avrohom Mordechai, and three daughters, Cyna Pesia, Leah Hudes and Esther, survived to adulthood and married. By the time of Yitschok Myer's death on 23 Ador 5626 (1866), only one child (Esther) remained alive.

[edit] See also

• Hasidic Judaism
• Ger (Hasidic dynasty)
• Rebbe

[edit] Rebbes of Ger

1. Yitzchak Myer Alter (1798-1866)
2. Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter (1847-1905)
3. Avraham Mordechai Alter (1866-1948)
4. Yisrael Alter (1895-1977)
5. Simchah Bunim Alter (1898-1992)
6. Pinchas Menachem Alter (1926-1996)
7. Yaakov Aryeh Alter (b. 1939)

[edit] Sources

The best known biography of Rabbi Yitschok Myer is מאיר עיני הגולה Meir Einei Hagoilo (1928) by Avrohom Yisochor Binyomin Alter and Avrohom Mordechai Alter. Another biography, תולדות הרי"ם Toldoth Horim, was written by Itshe Myer Broder of Ger.