5 Shevat 5665
Rav Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter was born in 5607 in Warsaw to his father, Rav Avraham Mordechai, the oldest son of the Chiddushei HaRim of Gur.
When he was two years old, he was orphaned of his mother, and when he was nine, his eminent father passed away as well. He was raised by his grandfather, the Chiddushei HaRim. His chinuch in his grandfather’s home left a deep impression on him, and from his youth, he dedicated all his time to Torah and avodas Hashem.
He was twelve years old when the Kotzker Rebbe passed away and his grandfather began to lead the community. Then, as well, he was always at his grandfather’s side, as they learned together for many hours, both Nigleh and Nistar.
With the passing of his grandfather in 5626, he was appointed to take his place as Rav in the town of Gur, at the young age of nineteen. About four years later, with the passing of the Rebbe Rav Chanoch Henich of Aleksander, thousands of chassidim turned their eyes to him, and after much urging, he acceded to lead them. Again, the roads leading to Gur were very busy, as tens of thousands gathered to be in his presence.
In 5664 the Russo-Japanese war broke out, and thousands of his chassidim were forcibly conscripted to the army. During that time, the Rebbe did not get into a bed. He slept on the floor, laying only on his robe. This robe was saturated with his tears each morning.
The Sfas Emes was Rebbe for nearly thirty-five years. On 5 Shevat 5665, at the age of just 58, he passed away, and was buried beside his grandfather’s kever in the cemetery in Gur. After his passing, his divrei Torah on Torah and Shas were printed in the renowned series of seforim entitled Sfas Emes.
