With the seemingly timeless and growing influence of the Sfas Emes's teachings, it may be worthwhile to examine the world which shaped him and his personality. As a scion of chassidic royalty through his grandfather the Chiddushei Harim of Ger, R' Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter (1847-1905) was expected to rise to greatness. His exposure at a young age to the great R' Menachem Mendel- the "Kotzker" only added to the atmosphere of an already intensely powerful upbringing. The Sfas Emes rose to the occasion and became one of the greatest leaders of Chassidic Poland, building up Ger into one of the largest courts of its day.

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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com