Rabbi Alter Bentzion Metzger, a noted author, professor, and educator who served as a simultaneous translator for the Rebbe’s sichos, passed away on Monday, 22 Shevat.

He was 92 years old.

As a young man, he was drawn to the world of Chabad and initiated a Chassidus study group for university students, frequently bringing groups to the Rebbe’s farbrengens. By hashgacha protis, one of the first groups he organized attended the historic farbrengen of Yud Shevat 5711, where the Rebbe formally accepted the nesius.

A longtime resident of Crown Heights, Rabbi Metzger served as a Professor of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. He served on the team of simultaneous translators of the Rebbe’s sichos from Yiddish to English for many years and mentored baalei teshuvah as a teacher at the Ivy League Torah study program.

When he reached the age of marriage, he asked the Rebbe for a bracha for a shidduch. Standing among others, he asked for a bracha for “Krias Yam Suf“, alluding to the Gemara that finding a match is as difficult as splitting the sea. The Rebbe replied, “Similar to the splitting of the sea.” Shortly thereafter, he became engaged to Yehudis, the daughter of Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Hershberg (who later served as Chief Rabbi of Mexico). At a farbrengen on Purim 5718, the Rebbe turned to him publicly and said, “Alter Metzger, zog L’chaim.”

Rabbi Metzger was a prolific writer who contributed extensively to the fields of Chassidic thought, Jewish history, and psychology. He authored several works, including The Heroic Struggle, a chronicle of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s arrest and liberation, and Chasidic Perspectives, an anthology of the Rebbe’s teachings. His column, “The Golden Chain,” was featured for over 25 years in Di Yiddishe Heim.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Yehudis Metzger, and their children: Rabbi Yehoshua Metzger (Midtown NYC), Mrs. Tova Mayzlish (Mexico City), Rabbi Menachem Mendel Metzger (Milwaukee), Mrs. Chana Perman (Toronto), and Rabbi Shmuly Metzger (Midtown East NYC); grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings, Mrs. Judy Sukenik (Queens) and Rabbi Gershon Metzger (Yerushalayim).

The levaya will take place today, Monday, passing by 770 at 2:30 PM, with kevura near the Ohel at 3:30 PM.

Baruch dayan ha’emes