Today marks the first yartzeit of Harav Avrohom Blumenkantz zt”l. As a prominent Rav and Posek he exuded Ahavas Yisroel with his warm smile, gentle manner, and availability to the Klal at all hours of the day and night. He was a Talmud Muvhak of Reb Moshe Feinstein zt”l and absorbed Reb Moshe’s legendary Neimus and sterling Middos along with his Torah. Although Rabbi Blumenkrantz was an Iluy, with a comprehensive knowledge of all areas of Halacha, when he Paskened a Shaila he would patiently take the time to ensure that the person asking, fully comprehended and was comfortable with the answer.
Rabbi Blumenkrantz was a high school and seminary Halacha teacher to thousands and is remembered by his many Talmidos for his clarity, compassion, good humor and ability to impart timeless Halacha and Hashkafa in a way that made a lifelong impression. His legendary caring and devotion to the needs of Klal Yisroel continue to live on in the hearts and minds of the multitudes he touched, whether through his Pesach Sefer, as Talmidim, Talmidos, members of his Kehillah or any Yid in need of a Rav’s advice.
May the merit of his tremendous Limud Hatorah and selfless efforts on behalf of his fellow Yidden be a Meilitz Yosher for his ka”h beautiful Mishpacha and for all of Klal Yisroel.
The greatest Aliyah for a Neshama on the day of the Yartzeit is to learn Leilluy Nishmaso. Please have in mind Horav Avrohom Ben Harav Chaim Menachem Ben Tzion zt”l.
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9 Responses
Despite being incredibly busy all day, every day, Rav Blumenkrantz ZT”L made callers feel their shaaloh was the most important he’d ever heard. In this respect, he was unique, at least in my experience. A true gentleman, a Tzaddik, incredibly erudite & learned, and such a nice man. No one can replace him.
The thing is, I only ever called him once with a shaaloh, yet I vividly remember his patience & clarity. I attended a number of Shiurim he gave & hung on every word. What a huge loss!
BTW, FYI, Rabbi Blumenkantz zt”l was a Tomim, a talmid in Tomchei Timimim Lubavitch.
Early life
Rabbi Blumenkrantz was born in Mandatory Palestine to parents of Ashkenazi European extraction, Rabbi Chaim Menachem Bentzion and Rebbetzin Devorah. His father was a highly trained talmudic scholar from Warsaw, who attended some of the best yeshivas in pre-war Europe, including the Novardok yeshiva. In 1948 Rabbi Chaim was abroad at the outbreak of the War of Independence, and chose not to return. Instead young Avrohom and the rest of the family left Israel aboard a ship. In the early 1950s the family settled in Bogotá, Colombia, where Rabbi Chaim became chief rabbi.
Avrohom began his education in Bogotá, but came to New York City as a teenager to study at Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem under the famed Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, with whom Rabbi Blumenkrantz maintained a close relationship until Rabbi Feinstein’s death in 1986.
Rabbinical career
Rabbi Blumenkrantz became a confidant of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, screening his calls and filtering the constant stream of halakhic questions posed to the posek. At age 25 Rabbi Feinstein asked his student to teach a semicha class in Yoreh De’ah at MTJ. Afterwards, Rabbi Feinstein directed his student to prominent teaching positions in Staten Island and then Brooklyn, at which Rabbi Blumenkrantz excelled.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Rabbi Blumenkrantz took the helm of a synagogue in Far Rockaway, Queens.
I think you might be too early. Someone’s first yahrtzeit can *never* occur in Adar I.
Try again next month.
That being said, we do all miss Rabbi Blumenkrantz.
The Wolf
Velvele.
There is a shitta that when someone is niftar in a shana peshuta, the yahrtzeit is held in adar alef.
As a family member i can tell you for a fact that the yahrtzeit is today. The entire Blumenkrantz family was on Har Hazeisim and there was a yahrtzeit seudah and Siyum Mishnayos today. The family follows the psak of R’ Dovid Feinstein. There will be a Siyum Hashas and an Azkara in Adar bais.
he was one great rabbi.
Actually, I’ll amend what I wrote earlier: The yahrtzeit will be at 13 months. What is commemorated in an ‘ibur yahr’ is ‘yud bais choidesh’; the end of the availus for the niftar.
My grandfather was niftar 21 days in Tammuz before an ‘ibur yahr’ and my uncles finished saying kaddish in Iyar and ended the availus 21 days in Sivan.
I believe that the Blumenkrantz family may have still been during Shivah over Purim last year.
Rabbi Blumenkrantz Zatzal was one of my high school and seminary Rabbaim. His teachings left such an impact on me that till today (some 25 years later) his comments ring in my head when I am keeping kashrus in my kitchen. Some of you might recall his saying “N.G.” for ‘no good’. I hope I can leave some of his legacy and warmth to my daughters when they begin the setup of their families I”H.