Among the geonim of our generation and leaders of the chareidi community, ever since his name became well-known within the community he has attracted a diverse following, both in Israel and abroad. They are drawn to his greatness in Torah and brilliance of his teachings, and they seek his advice and blessings. He presides over two yeshivos in which he delivers shiurim, while his talks are usually delivered in his beis midrash in Yerushalayim or during visits to the shuls of his followers throughout Eretz Yisrael and abroad.
The style of his drashos and talks is direct and simple, “at eye level,” and he regularly interacts with members of all kehillos and sectors, young and old alike. You could access on the site some of his divrei Torah translated into English. If you would like to hear or see more, please contact us.
Rav Shaul Alter shlita was born in Yerushalayim 67 years ago to his father, the Gerrer Rebbe, Rav Pinchas Menachem Alter, the Pnei Menachem zt”l, and Rebbetzin Tzippora a”h. The Pnei Menachem headed Yeshiva Sefas Emes for decades before ascending to becoming Rebbe.
In the years following his marriage, Rav Shaul lived in Haifa, where he diligently dedicated his days and nights to the study of Torah. He did this without publicity, and he acquired vast knowledge of the Torah while there. Upon his father’s becoming Rebbe in 1992, Rav Shaul was appointed to replace him as Rosh Yeshiva of Sefas Emes, despite his being in his 30s. Already then, he became known as a tremendous gaon and as the innovator of a unique teaching method which combines a striving for the truth, based on extensive knowledge and proficiency in all areas of the Torah, alongside profound depth. Over the years, he has produced many students who look to him as a role model, both in Torah study and in avodas Hashem.
Rav Shaul shlita follows an original path that he paved for himself in avodas Hashem. It is based on the chassidic values that he received from his ancestors, the Rebbes of Gur, but at the same time draws inspiration from the masters of machshava and chassidus of previous generations and from all kehillos.
In all areas, he strives to isolate the inner point. When he studies a sugya in Gemara, he always seeks the understanding that is closest to the truth, staying away from commentators that are not close enough to the truth, brilliant they may be. Similarly, in avodas Hashem, he urges that the focus be on the main issue, on the mind, on the “what does Hashem … require of you,” and to stay away from externalities and unimportant things.
This path is expressed in his talks and drashos — delivered mainly on Shabbosos and Yamim Tovim — in which he clarifies his teachings on matters at hand, in a clear and profound way.
Despite his great hasmada and the distraction of leading the kehillah, he finds time to engage in personal conversation with every person, young and old. Throughout the day, he responds to the many petitioners who come to him — these may be members of his own kehillah or from others — who correspond through letters or in-person during the evening kabbalas kahal hours in his private office in his beis medrash.
In recent years, the name of the Rav Shaul Alter shlita has become famous when the association of his talmidim gathered in 2020 to establish the kehillah which he currently heads, as well as the network of yeshivas and elementary schools that are under his guidance. Since then, thousands of families have attached themselves to him, both in Israel and abroad, and thousands more have become exposed to his teachings and his personality that they have made him a significant spiritual figure in their lives.
Following the establishment of the mosdos, he undertook a series of trips to strengthen his mosdos abroad. He used the opportunity to also visit various Jewish communities in the United States and Europe. With the outbreak of the war in Israel in 2023, the Rosh Yeshiva addressed it on various occasions, offering consolation and empathy to the wounded and families of the hostages and fallen. Jews of all stripes draw comfort and security from these talks, and they then stream to his beis medrash in Yerushalayim to hear his talks in person and to receive his brachos.
His drashos are printed, recorded and broadcast on various channels, reaching wide audiences.
The Mosdos Pnei Menachem, which are under the leadership of the Rosh Yeshiva shlita, were established in 2020 and are headquartered in Yerushalayim. The goal of the institutions is to provide talmidim with the tools to excel in Torah according to the path laid out by the Rosh Yeshiva, while maintaining iyun study and hasmada. It concurrently emphasizes Torah study and middos according to the chassidic teachings of the Rebbes of Gur.
The network includes a Yeshivah Gedolah, Yeshivah Ketana, Talmud Torahs, kollelim for yungeleit and shuls, and charitable and social welfare organizations. These are located in the cities of Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Ashdod, Haifa, New York and London. The mosdos operate under the umbrella organization, “Mosdos Pnei Menachem Network,” whose aim is to establish and expand on the activities of the mosdos.
Rabbi Nachman Widislavsky is the CEO of the mosdos
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