US Jewry lost a rare gemstone with the passing of R' Yisroel
HaKohen Bloom z"l, founder of Yeshivas Darkei Torah in
Far Rockaway, who passed away on Erev Yom Kippur. Reflecting
a life of good deeds and elevated character the words
"Yisroel asher becho espo'er" were inscribed on his
gravestone.
His essence is encapsulated in the gemora describing
Hashem's delight at the arrival of a clean and righteous soul
(Moed Koton 25b). This gemora begs deeper
scrutiny. Are the terms "clean" and "righteous" two separate
attributes? If the individual is free of transgression, of
course he is righteous as well; and if he is righteous,
likewise he must be untainted by transgression.
A similar question is raised in maseches Kiddushin
(40a). A verse in Yeshayohu reads, "Say of the
righteous that he is good" (3:10). "And is there a righteous
man who is not good?" asks the gemora. "Good for
Heaven and good for mankind—this is a righteous man who
is good. Good for Heaven and bad for mankind—this is a
righteous man who is not good."
Yet even these definitions call for elucidation. What does
"bad for mankind" refer to? One who harms his fellow man is a
thoroughly wicked man, not merely a righteous man who is less
than completely righteous. Therefore we must interpret the
gemora to mean "bad for mankind" refers to a righteous
man who is remiss in doing enough chessed with mankind
though he is righteous in his ways and avoids sin.
We can now also explain the concept of "clean and righteous"
along similar lines: "clean" of transgressions and completely
"righteous"—a man who is both good for mankind and does
much chessed with HaKodosh Boruch Hu's beloved
progeny.
All who knew the deceased will attest that both the crowns of
"clean" and "righteous" adorned his head. He was a man of
Torah who spent his youth immersed in his learning at the
holy Yeshivas Ponovezh, cleaving to the roshei yeshiva and
most of all the Mashgiach, HaRav Levenstein, whom he served
faithfully. During his final illness he even posted a picture
of the Mashgiach on the wall beside his hospital bed.
He was eager and generous in supporting Torah study,
particularly at Kollel Chazon Ish in Bnei Brak, and was
considered one of the prominent Torah benefactors of our
time. The energy and money he invested in helping Torah
institutions is inestimable. He was known to spend long hours
visiting philanthropists to provide them the opportunity to
take part in this treasured mitzvah, saying that every day he
devoted to Kollel Chazon Ish was a day of joy and celebration
for him.
He was blessed with a rare streak of pleasantness and
kindness. Says the gemora, "R' Chamo bar Pappo said,
`Every man who has graciousness is known to have yiras
Shomayim, as is written, "Vechessed Hashem mei'olom
ve'ad olom al yerei'ov"'" (Succah 49b). On the surface
this is hard to understand, for where does this verse hint at
graciousness? The Maharashoh explains, "chessed
Hashem" is based on the idea of finding favor in Hashem's
eyes, i.e. "chessed Hashem al yerei'ov" is the
blessing of graciousness, which not everyone merits but which
R' Yisroel Bloom—as all of his many acquaintances and
admirers will attest—attained.
His pleasant personality defied description—a sort of
otherworldly spiritual beauty. The gleam of graciousness
radiating from his face endeared him to all who saw him. He
had a rare and noble graciousness generally reserved for
royalty and very unique individuals like himself.
R' Bloom's petiroh while in his sixties is clearly a
difficult loss for his wife tlc"a, his children and
grandchildren, his siblings and the entire family. The words
of an ordinary mortal fail to console and strengthen the
brokenhearted. Only HaKodosh Boruch Hu, Baal
Hanechomos, has the ability to heal the grief-stricken,
as is written, "Onochi Onochi Hu menachamechem," and
"Nachamu nachamu ami yomar Elokeichem," and "Ki
Atoh Hu baal hayeshuos uvaal hanechomos."
Nothing can replace such a cherished man, the pride and joy
of the family. The blessing Chazal formulated, HaMokom
yenachem eschem, is very apt, for only HaKodosh Boruch
Hu has the power to console them, from His giving and
full hand, as is written, "Mochatzti va'Ani erpo" ("I
have struck the blow and I will heal"). This is the blessing
we extend to the entire eminent family: that they find
consolation in G-d's kindness and may they no longer know
sorrow, may only goodness and kindness pursue them throughout
their days, may only gladness and joy reach them.
This writer was a friend to R' Yisroel and knew well how much
he loved the Torah and constantly endeavored in Torah
himself, how he deferred and clung to chachomim and
their talmidim, how he yearned to do acts of kindness
and charity in secret, how he ran all of his business affairs
with honesty and integrity and how truth and peace were his
guiding light. The unique combination of his traits created
the splendid personality we knew, and hearts cry out over the
lovely human being the earth has swallowed up.
I will always remember our last meeting. As he lay on his
deathbed in great suffering, R' Yisroel turned to me and said
from the depths of his heart, "I accept all of the suffering
with love." Who can forget such words? The Creator is perfect
in His ways. Hashem has descended to His Garden to gather
roses and to delight in the company of his beloved in Gan
Eden.
May his offspring have the merit to perpetuate their father's
fabulous legacy of providing for the poor and supporting
talmidei chachomim and hard-working Torah scholars, of
bringing joy to the despondent and propping up all in need of
kindness and help. Maasei ovos simon lebonim. And may
he be a meilitz yosher for them in the Heavens until
those lying in the ground rise up and sing, speedily in our
days.
