Torah Networking
Reb Ben Zion Dunner, z'l
During the past week we’ve encountered the name of R’ Ben Zion z”l numerous times. Anyone involved in the work of supporting Torah institutions was acquainted with him or had at least heard about him. Involved as we are in the task of supporting and funding Torah institutions, we feel the need to dedicate this weekly column to the memory of R’ Ben Zion Dunner z”l, even though the writer of these lines was acquainted only with his reputation and not acquainted with him personally.
The great esteem with which many regarded R’ Ben Zion came not only from those he supported. Jews from all walks of life admired him. Indeed, even those who learned of his life and work only after his passing have expressed high regard for his approach to assisting his fellow Jews.
At first, one might ascribe this homage as arising from admiration for his technical support and financial assistance. Deeper consideration reveals a more profound source for the respect with which he was regarded.
At the deepest level, the origin of the public and private reverence with which R’ Ben Zion z”l was regarded was his connection to anything that hinted of things Jewish. The roots of his connection to many communities and yeshivos did not sprout solely from the fertile ground of the financial assistance he tendered.
The roots of this connection received their vitality from an inner stratum of his personality, a stratum comprised of his appreciation and admiration for Torah and chesed (deeds of kindness).
The stories that have flowed about him since the news of his passing create a mosaic of kindness and love of the Jewish People. These stories do not come solely from institutions and public organizations. Private individuals tell of assistance and support in terms of sums to which they had not had access previously. Indeed, as many said this week, “R’ Ben Zion obligates the wealthy,” (i.e., his standards of philanthropy present a model worthy of imitation by others who are wealthy).
May it be the Will of the One Above that R’ Ben-Zion’s good deeds will accompany him in the World that is Entirely Good, and that Heaven will comfort his eminent family, including his father, HaRav Abba Dunner, shlita, the executive director of the Conference of European Rabbis, who is known for his many works of goodness and kindness.
The great esteem with which many regarded R’ Ben Zion came not only from those he supported. Jews from all walks of life admired him. Indeed, even those who learned of his life and work only after his passing have expressed high regard for his approach to assisting his fellow Jews.
At first, one might ascribe this homage as arising from admiration for his technical support and financial assistance. Deeper consideration reveals a more profound source for the respect with which he was regarded.
At the deepest level, the origin of the public and private reverence with which R’ Ben Zion z”l was regarded was his connection to anything that hinted of things Jewish. The roots of his connection to many communities and yeshivos did not sprout solely from the fertile ground of the financial assistance he tendered.
The roots of this connection received their vitality from an inner stratum of his personality, a stratum comprised of his appreciation and admiration for Torah and chesed (deeds of kindness).
The stories that have flowed about him since the news of his passing create a mosaic of kindness and love of the Jewish People. These stories do not come solely from institutions and public organizations. Private individuals tell of assistance and support in terms of sums to which they had not had access previously. Indeed, as many said this week, “R’ Ben Zion obligates the wealthy,” (i.e., his standards of philanthropy present a model worthy of imitation by others who are wealthy).
May it be the Will of the One Above that R’ Ben-Zion’s good deeds will accompany him in the World that is Entirely Good, and that Heaven will comfort his eminent family, including his father, HaRav Abba Dunner, shlita, the executive director of the Conference of European Rabbis, who is known for his many works of goodness and kindness.
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