Tamchin D'oraysa. The levaya of Harav Shlomo Gross z"l

Thousands of escorts, from a wide spectrum of the public, stepped on Sunday night in Jerusalem after the deathbed of the rabbinical Nagid, supporter of charity and Chessed, Harav Shlomo Gross z"l, one of the greatest Torah supporters over the last years, who was suddenly niftar in Brooklyn on Erev Shabbos, at the age of only 50.

The levaya left from the funeral house Shamgar in Jerusalem, through the Mirer Yeshiva in the Beis Yisroel neighborhood, to Har Hazeisim, where the deceased was buried. Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshivos and Chassidish Rebbes, who came go give the last honor to the famous Machzik Torah, took part in the levaya.

At Shamgar, the Hespedim were given by Hagaon Harav B.D. Povarsky, Hagaon Harav Y. Sheiner, Hagaon Harav S. Auerbach, Harav Ben Zion Gutfarb, his sons-in-law Harav Kopelowitz and Harav Kaufman, his son Harav Aharon Gross, and his business partners Hanagid R' Yosef Friedman from Flatbush.

In the Mirrer Yeshiva, the Hespedim were give by Hagaon Harav A. Finkel, Hagaon Harav Yehushua Dovid Turchin, and his brother-in-law, Harav Ziperstein.

The Rebbe of Toldos Aharon took part in the levaya. The Rebbe had a special connection with Harav Shlomo Gross z"l, and a month ago Harav Gross took part in the Rebbe's youngest daughter's wedding.

In Shamgar, an Askan who took part in the levaya, handed out 200 NIS as Tzedaka to each one present.

"He always looked to give of himself and his money"

One of the heads of institutions in Israel who was supported by Harav Gross, who supported his institutions and was in connection with him for 15 years, tells Behadrey Haredim:

"He had a warm heart, he would become attached to problems – each problem he heard, he would respond warmly and be willing to help. Besides what he would give, he would influence others to give as well, and would go by himself with people to collect money at his friends. He always looked for ways to give of himself and of his money.

"He learned at the Mirrer Yeshiva, and was a Talmid of Hagaon Harav S. Birnbaum zt"l. He was a real Ben Torah, and one of the founders of the kehilla of Hagaon R' Avraham Shor from Flatbush, who is well known for his Droshos. He too came to the levaya. R' Shlomo z"l was Makpid to come to all his shiurim. He loved learning and was happy with every Svorah and piece of Halacha. R' Shlomo had a wide knowledge in Torah.

"His specialty was that he would give open heartedly, he had an open heart and pocket although he wasn't of the biggest Gvirim. He gave way over his means, and was also within reach – one could enter his office without setting a meeting, something which is not common in the USA. When one would sit with him, every second someone else would enter. During his very good times, he was a very big help, and even during less good times he helped more than he could.

"His home is an outstanding home of Torah and his sons-in-law are Talmidei Chachomim. His youngest son is 11 years old and one can see that he is destined to be great. Despite his many workings he devoted time for the Chinuch of his sons and daughters. He kept an exemplary modest home, without any modernization. If a person would need a loan, he could lend him $100,000 for a few months, only because he felt the need."

The head of the institution continues to relate: "Each Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel would find an open door by him. Besides the family members, tens of his friends came on the flight to Israel, something which is rare in itself. Harav Gross supported tens of Avrechim and families by a weekly and monthly stipend; who knows what will be with those tens of families in the upcoming Pesach. Many people depend on him.

"We don't know what will happen with our institutions now, he used to give a large sum each year, and we hope Mashiach comes. We shall end with a story: once he came to Israel on Lag Ba'omer and saw that I'm under a lot of pressure. R' Shlomo told me I must go to air out a little, I told him I have no time for a break. He then asked me what is pressurizing me, and I said $25,000. R' Shlomo said – "You have it now, go out for a break".

"Once he committed himself to give $180,000 to the institutions at a dinner. Usually it takes time until a donor gives the money. But he phoned the next morning and asked for the account number, and deposited the sum in one go. Once a certain Rosh Yeshiva came to him and said that besides what he needs for the maintenance of the Kollel, he has problems with the expenses of his daughter's wedding. Straight away, he took out $10,000 from his safe, and threw it to him like throwing a paper. He had no personal problem to give his money. Even before Purim he handed out tens of thousands to Tzedaka by means of one of the well known Askanim in Jerusalem."

May his soul be cherished for eternal life.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!