Roshei yeshivas, dayanim and rabbonim headed a crowd of
thousands laying to rest HaRav Binyomin Zeev Deutsch
zt"l, director of Yeshivas Ponovezh's orphanages since
their founding, who passed away at the age of 92.
Binyamin Zeev Deutsch was born in 5676 (1916) in Budapest to
R' Shmuel, one of the heads of the kehilloh in the
city. As a young man he studied at the yeshiva of HaRav
Yaakov Greenwald, the gavad of Papa and the author of
VaYaged Yaakov. Later he transferred to Yeshivas
Shufroein, where he studied under HaRav Shimon Posen and
became known for his consistency, in-depth study and
exceptional conduct.
In 5700 (1940) he was spared from the Holocaust by coming to
Eretz Hakodesh, where he lived in Tel Aviv at the home of
HaRav Yechiel Benedict.
He served as secretary at the Agudas Yisroel rabbinate and
beis din in Tel Aviv, which was headed by HaRav Meir
Karelitz, and he helped HaRav Karelitz promote Yiddishkeit in
the city.
In 5702 (1942) he married Leah Adler, who supported him
faithfully in all of his communal endeavors for 60 years,
until she passed away six years ago. Soon afterwards the
Ponevezher Rav asked him to help manage the yeshiva,
particularly the setup of orphanages. HaRav Deutsch started
working on this endeavor in Tishrei 5704 (1943), acting as a
father to the thousands of children there.
When he moved to Bnei Brak, HaRav Deutsch formed a strong
bond with the Chazon Ish, cleaving to him and serving as
baal korei at his shul for two years. He was one of
the first figures to work for the setup of Beis Medrash
Chassam Sofer on Rechov Maimon, where he became a regular
member and even served as shaliach tzibbur for a
number of years.
For decades he was on close terms with the heads of Yeshivas
Ponovezh, including HaRav Shach, HaRav Yechezkel Levinstein,
HaRav Shmuel Rozovsky and HaRav Dovid Povarsky zt"l.
For many years the management of the yeshiva ketanoh
was handled by the orphanage management.
He was on close terms with HaRav Abba Grossbard, the
menahel ruchani, and with HaRav Aharon Yehuda Leib
Shteinman and HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz shlita,
who held him in high regard.
Although his health declined two years ago HaRav Deutsch
maintained his schedule of shiurim and
tefillos. On Tisha B'Av he refused to sit on a stool,
insisting on his custom of sitting on the floor.
He passed away on Sunday morning. The levaya set out
Sunday afternoon from his home on Rechov Wasserman in Bnei
Brak. In his eulogy HaRav Shmuel Halevy Wosner shlita,
the gavad of Zichron Meir, noted his longstanding
acquaintance with the deceased, whom he described as a man of
"temimus and yashrus." Hespeidim were
also given by his eldest son HaRav Boruch Shmuel Deutsch,
HaRav Shmuel Markovitz, his son HaRav Osher Deutsch, HaRav
Meir Altman, the ravad of Chug Chassam Sofer and HaRav
Mordechai Drori.
He was buried before sunset at the Netzivei Yeshivas Ponovezh
Cemetery.
HaRav Binyomin Zeev Deutsch zt"l is survived by his
sons, HaRav Boruch Shmuel, HaRav Yaakov, HaRav Osher, HaRav
Yosef Meir and HaRav Mordechai, as well as grandchildren and
great-grandchildren continuing the remarkable spiritual
legacy he passed onto them during his lifetime.
