BD”E: Rebbetzin Tzipporah Alter, A”h, Widow of the Pnei Menachem of Ger, Zy”a

By Hamodia Staff

The Chassidic world and the Ger community in particular mourn the loss of a noble and righteous figure, a descendant of holy ancestors and the widow of the Gerrer Rebbe, the Pnei Menachem, zy”a. The esteemed Rebbetzin Tziporah Feiga Alter, a”h, passed away Sunday at the age of 97.

In recent years, the Rebbetzin’s health declined, and she was hospitalized at Maayanei Hayeshuah Hospital in Bnei Brak, where she returned her soul to her Creator surrounded by her family.

She was the last in a generation of great individuals. She was an exemplary model of pious Rebbetzins from past generations and a steadfast bridge for preserving tradition, standing by her husband, the Rebbe the Pnei Menachem, zy”a, with nobility and strength.

Her levayah began at Sfas Emes Yeshivah in Yerushalayim, passed by the Gerrer Beis Medrash, and proceeded to the Sanhedria cemetery. She was laid to rest near her late parents.

The Rebbetzin was born on 27 Tishrei 5687/1926, to Rav Avraham Mordechai (Reb Mottel) Alter, z”l, son of Harav Moshe Betzalel Alter, Hy”d, the son of the Sfas Emes, zy”a. Her mother was Rebbetzin Yenta, a”h, daughter of Harav Shaul Moshe Zilberman, zt”l, Rabbi of Wierzchow and a prominent figure in the Chassidic yishuv in Eretz Yisrael.

When she came of age, in 5706/1946, she married the youngest son of the Gerrer Rebbe, the Imrei Emes, zy”a.

Their wedding was a historic and joyous event for the Gerrer community and beyond, bringing hope and happiness to survivors in DP camps and the small Chassidic communities in Eretz Yisrael.

They established their home near the residence of the Gerrer Rebbe Imrei Emes, and after his petirah, they lived next to the Sfas Emes Yeshivah, together with the late Rebbetzin Feiga Mintza, a”h.

Rebbetzin Tziporah’s dedication to her husband’s Torah spanned over 50 years, as he led the Sfas Emes Yeshivah and taught thousands of talmidim. She stood by him through all his roles, always with wisdom and modestly.

After the sudden petirah of the Pnei Menachem in 5756/1996, she remained a pillar of strength, continuing her charitable activities and offering advice and blessings to those in need.

In recent years, she moved to Bnei Brak, where she lived near her son Harav Yitzchak Dovid Alter.

Several months ago, she underwent a medical procedure, and her health deteriorated, until her petirah Sunday.

The Rebbetzin is survived, lhbch”l, by her sons, a daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Moshe Betzalel, z”l, who passed away as a child, and Rav Yehuda Aryeh, z”l, who was niftar in a car accident.

Yehe zichrah baruch.