IN TRIBUTE: Reb Yonasan Binyomin Farkash, z"l, Holocaust Survivor

YS GOLD 

Over Shabbos, the Boro Park community bade farewell to one of the last remaining links to the old world of Torah and chassidus in Europe with the passing of Reb Yonasan Binyomin Farkash in the his high nineties. The niftar was known as a deeply chassidishe and ehrliche Yid, and as a fountain of memories and vignettes from the old world that he saw go up in flames. 

He was born to his parents, Reb Benzion and Chaya Farkash, ardent Spinka Chassidim from the shtetl of Lozo, near Orshiva, Hungary. He came from illustrious stock having grandparents who were talmidei chachomim of renown. 

As noted, his witnessed that entire world go up in flames, including his mother and brothers, as well as countless friends, relatives, and admired figures from the surrounding communities. He was initially taken into the Munkacz ghetto, and from there to Auschwitz. 

Amid the darkness, he experienced many miracles which kept him and his fellow survivors alive. After he had given up on ever meeting any of his family, he learned that his sister survived--something that was deeply emotional and exciting for him. 

Like so many of the survivors, Reb Yonasan Binyomin was drawn close to the Klausenberger Rebbe following the war, and learned in his yeshiva with great diligence. 

He remained an ardent chossid of the Rebbe, and of his son, ybl"ch, the current Rebbe, for the rest of his life. 

He merited to establish beautiful Torah generations of bnei Torah, chassidishe and ehrliche Yidden who follow in his ways. 

Yehi zichro baruch.