Ger (Hasidic dynasty)

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Ger, or Gur (or Gerrer when used as an adjective) is a large Hasidic dynasty originating from Ger, the Yiddish name of Góra Kalwaria, a small town in Poland. It is now based in Jerusalem. The rabbis who lead them have come from a family by the name of "Alter". The founder of this group was Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Alter (formerly Rothenburg or Rottenberg, 1799-1866), known in Hebrew as the Chidushei HaRim after his scholarly works by that title.

Almost all Gerrer Hassidim (about 200,000) in Europe perished during the Holocaust, but the Imrei Emes somehow managed to escape and quickly set about rebuilding the movement in then Palestine.

There are large communities of Gerrer hasidim in New York, London, and Belgium. In Israel they dominate the Agudath Israel of Israel religious political movement and party in the Israeli Knesset. They have set up several satellite communities in parts of Israel, including a large one in Ashdod in the south, Arad in the Negev desert, and Hazor in the Galilee.

Gerrer and Lubavitcher Hasidim have traditionally been closely allied both in Israel and the Unites States with the leadership of both groups demonstrating respect and affinity for the beliefs of the other. Both groups are two of the more pro - Israeli of the Hasidim (cf. the Satmars, who until recently objected to the creation of the State of Israel on religious grounds).

They are distinguished by their dark hasidic garb, and on shabbat and Jewish holidays the married men wear a high circular fur hat sometimes called a spodik (not to be confused with the much flatter shtreimel a fur hat worn by most hasidic groups) and by their pants tucked into their socks called "hoyzn-zokn" (not to be confused with the breeches worn by other hasidic groups).

Ger follows the way of the Kotzker in stressing serving God in a sharp and objective way rather then being mystical and spiritually oriented as in other hasidic sects, and in putting a lot of emphasis on studying the Talmud.

Contents

1 Emphasis on Purity and Holiness
2 Gerrer dynastic leadership
3 External links
4 See also

Emphasis on Purity and Holiness

The Bais Yisroel Z"L (5th Gerrer Rebbe) put a great emphasis on purity and holiness, and will always be remembered as the Rebbe that rebuilt Ger after the terrible destruction of World War 2. He left a great impression on all walks of life that came in contact with him and was highly respected by all chasidic circles. His idea was to elevate every person to somehow become one level higher than his present state. There are countless stories from individuals (Chasidim and non-Chasidim) who met the Rebbe, which relate how he had a tremendous spiritual impact on them and how this strong impression will never leave them. What makes this even more impressive is that many of these encounters with the Rebbe were for a very short period of time.

Gerrer dynastic leadership

Note: As is common among rabbis, the alternate names for each rebbe (given in parenthesis) is derived from the title/s of the main (Torah) works they published and were then best known for it in rabbinical scholarly circles.

Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter in Europe

Rabbi Yisrael Alter The "Bais Yisroel"

First rebbe - Yitzchak Meir Alter (Rottenburg) (1798(?) - March 10 1866), also known as the Chidushei Harim. Notable for being the prime student of the incomparable Kotzker Rebbe and a major decisor of Jewish Law in his time.
Second rebbe - Chanoch Henich HaKohen Levin of Aleksandrów Łódzki
Third rebbe - Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter (1847 - 1905), also known as the Sfas Emes. Born in Warsaw, Poland. Died in Góra Kalwaria. Well known among non-chassidim for his deep talmudic works as well as his Maharal style Torah commentaries.
Fourth rebbe - Avraham Mordechai Alter (December 25 1866 - June 3 1948), also known as the Imrei Emes. He was the Gerrer rebbe from 1905 to 1948.
Fifth rebbe - Yisrael Alter (October 12 1895 - February 20 1977), also known as the Beis Yisrael, son of Rabbi Avraham Mordechai. He was the Gerrer rebbe from 1948 to 1977.
Sixth rebbe - Simchah Bunim Alter (April 6 1898 - August 6 1992), also known as the Lev Simcha son of Rabbi Avraham Mordechai. He was the Gerrer rebbe from 1977 to 1992.
Seventh rebbe - Pinchas Menachem Alter (June 9 1926 - March 7 1996), also known as the Pnei Menachem, son of Rabbi Avraham Mordechai. He was Gerrer Rebbe from 1992 to 1996.
Eighth rebbe is the present Gerrer rebbe - Yakov Aryeh Alter (Born 1936), son of Rabbi Simchah Bunim, has been the Gerrer rebbe since 1996 - Present

Ger (Hasidic dynasty)

Emphasis on Purity and Holiness

Gerrer dynastic leadership

External links

See also