Memory Lane: Rabbi Benzion Blech

A decades’-long mechanech in Boro Park’s Yeshiva Toras Emes, and a longtime Rov, he impacted thousands of people over the years. Possibly, this ability to influence was rooted in the multi-faceted background from which Rav Blech came; a fusion of Chortkover chassidus, and a strong exposure to the Chofetz Chaim and other Lithuanian Gedolim—a fusion of influence that he continued on American soil for 40 years.   

In the Glow of the Chofetz Chaim 

He was born in the Galician town of Butchach, to his father Rav Aaron and his mother Devorah, who was the daughter of the previous Butchacher Rav—a Ga’on by the name of Rav Shmuel Yisachar Stark, who authored Avnei Shayish and Michas Ani. At the outbreak of WWI, in 1914, the family moved to Vienna. After studying under a number of Polish ge’onim, he entered the Lithuanian yeshiva world with his enrollment in Radin. The influence that he received there would mold him for life. 

The Chofetz chaim needed an attendant for two weeks as he was attending the first Knessia Gedolah in Vienna, in 1919. The privilege fell to the best bachur in the yeshivah—and Benzion Blech accompanied the Chofetz Chaim there. He later related that these two weeks in which every moment was spent with the Chofetz Chaim inspired him for his entire life. 

One wealthy man told my father that if he would procure him an appointment with the Chofetz Chaim, he would donate an astronomical sum to the yeshivah in Radin. The man got his appointment, and at the conclusion he said, “I would like to give the Rosh Yeshivah $50,000.” The Chofetz Chaim asked, “and what is with Shabbos?” The man replied, “I am not a mechalel Shabbos.” 

My father was overjoyed. Now the chofetz chaim would be able to accept the money. The chofetz chaim immediately said, “We say Kol Mekadesh Shev’ii karaui.. kol shomer Shabbos kodesh… There are two levels; one who sanctifies Shabbos, and one who is a shomer Shabbos. They are not the same. At this, the man broke down, and admitted that while he personally keep Shabbos, his factories are open.

After some time in Zurich, he family settled in Boro Park (due to Rabbi Moshe Blech, his brother who was one year older, having been living there by then), and they resided at 3513 12th Avenue. 

Transmitting the tradition forward 

Two main occupations consumed him for the following years; his serving as the maggid shiur for the highest shiur in Yeshiva Toras Emes in Boro Park—in which modeled for these American born boys hasmadah and lomdus. He would sit and learn all day, and nevertheless found time for the vision for activism. As we know, he marched on Washington in October of 1943. This tenure lasted from 1942, until 1967, when he retired. 

And then there was his service as Rav of Linas Hatzedek at 109 Clara Street. “My memories from the earliest time are of my father standing at the bimah addressing the congregation,” remembers his son. He was also a beloved and revered guest at many community gatherings. As the family originated from Chortkover chassidim, he felt a kinship to this dynasty. In all the years that Chortkov had melaveh malkah’s in Boro Park, Rav Blech was the guest speaker. 

Almost weekly, he would speak with Rav Moshe Feinstein a few times a week on the telephone. 

His children were Rabbi Benjamin Blech longtime Rabbi of Young Israel of Oceanside L.I., Shmuel Blech, a patent judge in Washington (the father of Rav Zushe Blech a world-renowned expert on Kashrus), and Judge Lee First, New York’s first frum female judge.  

Rabbi Benzion Blech is remembered to this day by many talmidim, his family, and congregants who were privileged to have this masmid and talmid chacham in their midst. A miraculous Hashgachah that had guided his footsteps throughout Europe, then to safety, and finally to a distinguished tenure of Rabbanus in Boro Park of Yesteryear.