Reb Yitzchok Meir Alter was born in the year 5559 (1799). His father was a talmid of Reb Levi Yitzchok Barditchever. Reb Yitzchok Meir was a talmid of Reb Simcha Bunim of Pshischa and Reb Mendele of Kotzk, and was known as the “IIuy of Warsaw.” He is known by his seforim, Chidushei HoRim. Towards the end of his life he became a Rebbe and founded Chassidus Ger. He passed away on 23 Adar 5626 (1866).
A misnaged once asked Reb Yitzchok Meir, “Why do the chassidim daven after zman tefila? It is an aveira and it’s going against a clear din in Shulchon Aruch!” Reb Yitzchok Meir responded, “A sign for an aveira is when it leads to another aveira, as it says ‘Aveira goreres aveira.’ But when the chassidim transgress zman tefilah, they do not come to transgress another aveira as a result. Rather they learn and become inspired to daven, thereby doing Hashem’s will.”
(באר החסידות ע' 165)
In one of his deroshos he spoke about King Achav, and brought out something good in him. One chossid present thought it was not right to be melamed zchus on a rasha like Achav, and Reb Yitzhok Meir told him, “Make a kal vchomer. If chassidim, which can only imagine that their Rebbe has giluy Eliyohu, travel to him and learn from his mouth, it is definitely worthwhile to find some zchus to Achav, who everyone knows saw Eliyohu Hanovi face-to-face...”
(באר החסידות ע' 145)
A non-religious man once asked Reb Yitzchok Meir: “It says in Krias Shema that if the Yidden sin the skies won’t give rain, etc. and they will suffer physically. But I am a sinner and I am nonetheless very rich. Now how does that make sense?” The Gerer Rebbe explained: “It seems from your words that at least once in your lifetime you have recited the Shema. That being the case, however many riches you have, it is very little compared to what you deserve!”
(באר החסידות ע' 146)
