14 minute read
Remembering Baruch T zvi HaLevi Eisenberg z”l
Baruch,
It is hard to believe you are no longer with us. Everyone loved you. Many would say you were a “great guy,” the ultimate nondescript praise. But the truth is, you were. You were great! GREAT!
Our exceptional parents, Rav Ephraim and Rebbetzin Shlomis Eisenberg, raised us to speak in a refined manner. They didn’t appreciate that expression. But Baruch, you were indeed great... and also one of the boys. You were approachable and humble and easygoing and relaxed and upbeat…and the list goes on and on.
You were everything. You never looked down on others and never thought more of yourself. With your effervescent smile, you looked to share your goodness with so many.
As your brother-in-law, Yehuda, said, “He was a ‘noach’ (comfortable) person; it was ‘noach’ to be around him, and he caused others to be ‘noach.’”
Simchas Hachaim
Baruch’s demeanor was positive and optimistic. He had a deep simchas hachaim. He greeted everyone with a warm smile and a wave, a firm handshake, or a hug. Always with a kind word, a positive remark, or a witty response, Baruch enjoyed a good joke and knew how to say just the right comment to make another person think to himself, “My day just got better!”
He was wholesome and genuine. One of his sisters put it this way: “He didn’t worry about what others thought of him. Maybe that’s why he was able to focus on others.” Another sister fondly remembers the way Baruch would lift his arms and greet her and her husband with an exuberant “Baruch haba” whenever they came for Shabbos and the caring way he would answer her weekly “Gut Shabbos” texts.
He found joy and humor in places where others may have only seen ordinary happenings. He was the favorite family speaker, and even the younger kids waited for his speeches at every family simcha. Although he certainly realized that we all appreciated his terrific sense of humor, he never brought attention to himself; he was modest and unassuming. Baruch enhanced our Shabbos tables and family get-togethers with his quick wit and interesting stories but all was given over in an unpretentious manner. He would chuckle, his eyes would crinkle, he would tilt his head back and he would nod toward us... and just like that, a closeness was created.
Acceptance
Baruch was accepting of whatever came his way and happily made the best of things. His mottos of “It’s all good!” and “Life is great!” were accompanied by his trademark smile, which showed he really meant what he said. We can all testify that Baruch was never a complainer. Rav Naftali Jaeger, rosh yeshiva of Sh’or Yoshuv, mentioned his “sever panim yafos,” how he didn’t let on to others the challenges he was going through. Why make others suffer?
He made light of his ordeals, finding humor even in difficult situations. Who can forget that Shabbos we spent together in Passaic shortly after a procedure that left a visible scar on his forehead? He was so uncomfortable going to shul like that, but he took it in stride. When he came back and we wondered aloud how he’d handled the discomfort, his reply was classic. “I didn’t wait for anyone to ask. When they looked at me, I told them, ‘Don’t try snowboarding; it’s not worth it!’”
With a Cheshbon
But it was more than acceptance and humor. There was also the aspect of elevating his life. Our uncle, Rav Yankel Reisman, mentioned how Baruch asked him about putting on tefillin after that same procedure. Uncle Yankel connected Baruch’s attachment to mitzvos to a vort (based on the Olelos Ephraim), about the nesiim (from Parshas Naso, the parasha of his petirah) . Though they all brought the same offering when the Mishkan was set up, the Torah details each nasi’s gift separately. According to the Ramban, this is because every one of them had a different kavanah. Our father, Rav Ephraim Eisenberg, zt”l, would say, “Lots of people do the same actions, but their intentions are individual. What each person has in mind identifies him.” And regarding Baruch, Uncle Yankel asserted, “Baruch looked like any other person who put on tefillin, but his kavanos were unique to him!”
R’ Aaron Landsberg, his brother-in-law, recalled Baruch’s aufruf, where Rav Yaakov Weinberg, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, discussed how Hashem blesses us when
our maasim are performed with thought and deliberation. The rosh yeshiva brought a parallel to Baruch: when he did something, it was with a cheshbon. He didn’t do things automatically or follow what everyone else was doing.
This was evident in his tefillah, as well. His brother, R’ Avraham Yitzchak, enjoyed davening together with Baruch and was inspired by him. “When Baruch davened, he was sincerely focused and intent, really connecting to the Ribbono Shel Olam.” A neighbor noted his purposeful gait as he walked to shul each morning. He was on a mission, centered on being mekayem retzon Hashem, in his cheerful manner.
Ben Torah
Baruch learned in kollel when he first got married and then went on to support his family. However, he was always first a ben Torah, and then a baalabos. As R’ Yanky Safir, his cousin, expressed it, “Baruch was a walking kiddush Hashem in his business dealings.”
When we were sitting shivah, we learned some new things about Baruch. Here’s one: he learned Torah with almost every person he knew. He set up learning sedarim during short trips out of town and in middle of vacations and over yamim tovim. So many people who came to be menachem avel told us, “Baruch was my chavrusa.” And one by one, these many chavrusos spoke about his intelligence, clarity, his ability to explain the Gemara concisely, and his excitement about learning.
Aviva, his wife, who was his partner in all this, spoke about how Baruch loved learning with R’ Shua Fogel in Sh’or Yoshuv, how he would join him for a seder whenever he missed the Lakewood style of learning. In R’ Shua’s words, “He was so alive and smart; it was wonderful learning with him! He enjoyed life and made the most of each moment and each day.” R’ Shua felt that he was able to glean from Baruch’s energy, that he rubbed off on him. His other chavrusos would most likely agree.
His love of Torah and passion were evident at the Shabbos table, too. R’ Moishie Wolfson, a cousin, shared, “At the Shabbos seudos, Baruch would either enhance my vort or shlug it up completely!”
Baruch was so proud of Yeshiva Meon Hatorah, his brother’s yeshiva, and he and Aviva tried to help out whenever possible: raising funds, attending meetings, and arranging bake sales. He davened for its success, scrambled to help when things were rough, and became excited with every step of success and growth that the yeshiva experienced. This was all part of the chashivus haTorah he exhibited. Integrity and Discretion private talmidim, he meticulousowed or what was owed to him. Avinotes even years later, as she feels it’s a great lesson to all. Entries such as “Yossi had to leave early today. I owe him 4 minutes” were common.
R’ Eli Sales, Baruch’s father-inlaw, spoke about the free loan gemach Baruch managed for R’ David Greenblatt. “He was meticulous, honest, and respectful of others. That is the kind of person who needs to be
running a gemach.” Moreover, R’ Eli mentioned how discreet Baruch was; he was careful to ensure the privacy of each individual. R’ Eli shared, “I once asked Aviva why she wasn’t taking in the mail, and she answered that only Baruch collected and opened the mail because of the gemach. The gemach was never discussed between the two of them. No stories were told — even with anonymous names.”
Getting Along with All
R’ Eli added, “While the gemach ruch was, to me, his real gadlus was his ability to avoid machlokes and
Years ago, when Baruch tutored ly noted every hour and minute he va wouldn’t let him discard these
story reveals so much about who Baconfrontation. That takes hard work, and it was something he perfected.”
Aviva noted, “He didn’t talk about people, and he shied away from strife.” If there was an argument going on, he would quietly walk out of the room. He saw the good in everyone, so he naturally had nothing negative to say about them.
Baruch often shared his insightful opinions, but he was never strong or forceful about them. We wanted to hear what he had to say; his views were fair and straightforward. However, if we chose to differ with him, he would step aside with a smile and accept our point of view. He didn’t get sensitive or upset – because it wasn’t about his ego.
He took note of the people who sat quietly on the side. He’d bring them into the conversation and make them feel important. R’ Yanky Safir spoke about this point. “People wanted to be around Baruch. He would bring you up. He knew how to make you feel better about yourself.”
He was uncomplicated and openminded, easily relating to people of all stripes. Dovy, his brother-in-law, shared how the minute Baruch joined the Sales family, it was as if he’d been there forever.
Hakaras Hatov
Baruch was really good at expressing appreciation for any favor shown him, whether it was the kindness of a niece who occupied his boys, a Shabbos invitation, or a business opportunity. He never had a “magia li” attitude or took others’ actions for granted. A staff member in the hospital loved going into his room because he would give her a “yasher koach,” no matter how weak he felt.
Baruch was incredibly grateful to the Wolfson families, whose relationship with him was more like that of siblings than cousins. R’ Moishie Wolfson spoke about Baruch and Aviva’s hakaras hatov for even the smallest things. R’ Moishie and his wife cherish the thank you notes they received from Baruch and Aviva, which were always written beautifully and came from the heart.
Yehuda Sales added, “Baruch would talk about the unbelievable hakaras hatov displayed by his mother, Rebbetzin Shlomis, a”h. When he would tell those stories, he would grow passionate, because he really connected to that middah.”
The rav of Baruch’s shul, Rav Aharon Stein, said, “After every drasha, Baruch would come up to me and first of all thank me. Then, inevitably, he would ask me about one point or another and then apply it to himself. He looked for something personal in everything he learned.”
Home Life
When Baruch and Aviva bought
their house, it was a dream come true for them because it enabled them to host lots and lots of guests. That was always their greatest pleasure. Being hosted by the two of them was also a dream come true for the guests; Baruch went out of his way for them, literally. R’ Dovid Shlomo Levin, his brother-in-law, reminisced, “He was so good to us. Back in the day, when we didn’t know our way to Far Rockaway from Brooklyn, Baruch drove all the way to Brooklyn so we could follow him back to Far Rockaway for Shabbos.”
The seudos at his Shabbos table were enhanced by a thought-provoking vort, a good bottle of wine, and uplifting zemiros; the atmosphere was light, warm, and comfortable. Be’ezras Hashem, the atmosphere at home will continue to be one of simcha and joy; he and Aviva laid such a wonderful foundation.
Baruch was always the fun uncle, the one all the kids looked forward to seeing. He challenged his nephews to push-up contests, showed interest in what they had to say, and entertained them with interesting stories. He and Aviva and the boys attended every family simcha — and he did so happily, making sure to compliment the hosts. And the stars of the dance floor were often Baruch and his boys.
He was an outstanding father and always wanted to do whatever was best for the family. He loved his boys, Ephraim and Yehuda, fiercely, and he was so proud of them! He recognized their individualities and appreciated their talents. He loved sharing their chochmos with us, his siblings, and we, in turn, felt and still feel like surrogate grandparents.
Always “Gevaldig”
Baruch was naturally articulate. He had an easy way with words, with jokes, with public speaking, with niggunim. When the meds slowed him down a bit, he took it in good spirit. If he forgot a word or a name, he would smoothly give us a hint without making anyone feel uncomfortable. He did it so skillfully that many people didn’t think anything of it.
The last few weeks of his life, Baruch was barely able to commu
nicate with words. But somehow, he communicated his appreciation, his acceptance, his love. We will always remember his “I’m impressed” expression. He would open his eyes wide, set his mouth, stick out his chin, and nod his head. That simple movement meant the world to us. It was sometimes accompanied by a hearty thumbs-up. Once we sneaked him an illegal lick of ice cream. The smile and thumbs-up were epic! (We think he did that just to make us feel good because he knew how hard we were trying.) Sometimes he blew us kisses. His formerly firm handshakes turned strong ones!), which also communigiving all of us so much energy!
Ephraim and Yehuda made him so and hold his hand. He was extremely proud of them! When they would learn in the room or Ephraim would practice his bar mitzvah leining, they, verbalized “gevaldig!”
It’s no coincidence that the few Thank you! Baruch Hashem! Bli ayin hara! Yasher koach!
As his nephew, R’ Shimon Charlap, articulated so well: “When the malachim ask, ‘What are they saying about him down there?’ the answer is obvious. From far and wide, people are telling themselves and their children, ‘Go in Baruch’s ways!’”
into hand squeezes (sometimes very cated appreciation and love, while
happy when they would come to visit too, received a thumbs-up and even a
Yes, they want to emulate Baruch, words that stayed with him till the very end were: Gevaldig! Terrific!
and they want their children to emulate him, too. They, as well, want to be gevaldig.
A Ben Olam Haba
His brother-in-law, R’ Yanky Gruen, stated: “Parshas Naso speaks about the counting of the Leviim, along with the tafkid of each family. In this instance of counting, the shoresh of naso (to lift) is used. When a person knows his tafkid, his purpose in life, he is elevated. Baruch recognized who and what he was and fulfilled his tafkid in a heroic way: with humor, positivity, and a heart of gold. He was always interested in others and how they were doing. He made people around him feel comfortable and respected. He was loved by all.”
Incredibly, this was the subject of the speech Baruch gave at the bar mitzvah of his nephew, Yossi Charlap 20 years ago. He spoke about how Moshe Rabeinu wasn’t able to “finish the job” and take Klal Yisroel into Eretz Yisroel because it wasn’t part of his tafkid. Moshe Rabbeinu accepted that. He understood that this was the role the Eibeshter assigned him. Baruch concluded, “If a person understands what his tafkid is, he is able to have utmost simcha!”
Another brother-in-law, R’ Chaim Charlap, related in his hesped: The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 77a) tells us that before entering a person, every illness swears that it will perform the will of Hashem. The time, strength, and effect must be exactly according to Hashem’s plan. Similarly, the Gemara (Niddah 30a) tells us that before Hashem sends a neshama down to This World, it, too, takes an oath that it will do the will of Hashem — that it will be a tzaddik and not a rasha. R’ Chaim proclaimed: “Baruch can go and tell his machalah, ‘You did your shelichus, but I did mine, as well! I kept the promise my neshama made before it came down to the earth to remain ne’eman, loyal and trustworthy, to Hashem!’”
Reb Yisroel Meir, his brother, summed it up so aptly: The Gemara (Taanis 22a) records how Eliyahu HaNavi showed Rav Beroka two people who were bnei Olam Haba. When Rav Beroka approached these men and asked them, “What is your profession?” they answered, “We are happy people and we make others happy.” R’ Yisroel Meir concluded, “Only one who is genuinely happy and content with himself is able to truly make others happy. All can testify that this was Baruch Tzvi, a true ben Olam Haba.”
Yehei zichro baruch. ______
This past Tuesday, 8 Tammuz, marked the shloshim of Baruch Tzvi Ben Ephraim Zalman HaLevi, z”l. The family would appreciate any comments, memories and stories. Please email: BaruchTzviHalevi@ gmail.com.
