Rav Yehuda Leib Eiger was born in Posen in 5576/1816. His father, Rav Shlomo, son of Rav Akiva Eiger, was Rav of the city. Young Leibel grew up on the knee of his illustrious grandfather.
When the family moved to Warsaw, Rav Leibel learned in the famous Yeshiva of the Chiddushei HaRim (later the Rebbe of Ger), where many top lomdim (learners) gathered. The Chiddushei HaRim attracted many of them to Chassidus, among them Rav Leibel. His father, Rav Shlomo, was upset, and sent him back to Posen, where Chassidus had not yet taken hold. Rav Leibel learned with his grandfather, saying later that these were his best learning years, and that he regretted not making the most of them.
In 5595/1835, Rav Leibel married the daughter of the noggid Rav Ezriel Gratenstein, and settled in his wife’s hometown of Lublin. Lublin at that time was a metropolis of Chassidus, still under the influence of the Chozeh (despite his petira several years earlier), and Rav Leibel found his place among the Chassidim. He davened in the Bais Medrash of the Chozeh.
At that time, the Kotkzer Rebbe lived in Tomashov. Rav Leibel’s friends suggested that he join them on a nesia (trip) to their Rebbe.
With the consent of his wife, and in spite of fierce opposition from his family and his in-laws, Rav Leibel traveled to Tomashov. His father and grandfather sent messengers to convince him to leave, but Rav Leibel stood firm: there he found his place and way of Avodas Hashem, and he was there to stay. With time, resistance weakened — notably his grandfather’s, who saw that his intent was solely l’shem shomayim (for the sake of heaven).
Under the watchful eye of the Rebbe, Rav Leibel became a devoted Chassid. The Rebbe appointed as his madrich in Chassidus one of the lions of the chabura (group) — Rav Mordechai Yosef of Izhbitza. Rav Leibel soon became one of the foremost Chassidim.
In 5600/1839, when Rav Mordechai Yosef left Kotzk and founded his own court in Izhbitza, Rav Leibel joined him. In Izhbitza, Rav Leibel was considered the right hand of Rav Mordechai Yosef.
After the petira of Rav Mordechai Yosef on the 7th of Teves 5614/1854, Rav Leibel considered returning to Kotzk. He discussed this with Rav Tzodok HaKohen, another of the leading Chassidim in Izhbitza. Rav Tzodok returned to him with a kvittel, thus appointing him as the new Rebbe.
Rav Leibel held court in Lublin, where he taught the ways of Avodas Hashem. He was known for mofsim.
Despite agreeing to become a Rebbe, Rav Leibel did not deliver Divrei Torah as long as the Kotzker Rebbe was alive, in deference to his Rebbe. He kept many of the Kotzker ways, like lengthy preparations before davening, which were done with much emotion.
On the 22nd of Shevat 5648/1888, the yahrzeit of the Kotzker Rebbe, Rav Leibel was niftar at the age of seventy-two and buried in Lublin. He was succeeded by his son, Rav Avrohom.
Rav Leibel’s manuscripts, printed after his petira, were Toras Emes and Imrei Emes. Zechuso yagen aleinu.
