Page "Ger (Hasidic dynasty)" Paragraph 5

After Rabbi Yitzchak Meir's death in 1866, his Hasidim wanted his eighteen-year old grandson, Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, to succeed him.

When Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib refused to accept this position, most of the Hasidim became followers of the elderly Hasid, Rabbi Chanokh Heynekh HaKohen Levin, formerly rabbi of Prushnits and Krushnevits and now retired to Alexander.

After Rabbi Chanokh Heynekh died in 1870, Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib ( who became known posthumously as the Sfas Emes ) acceded to the request of the Hasidim to become their next rebbe.

Despite his youth, he was quickly accepted amongst the rebbes of Poland.