By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Binyomin Mentz, one of the first “American Chassidim” and a fixture in 770 for many decades, passed away on Monday, 27 Adar, 5776.
He was 85.
Rabbi Mentz, born in Pittsburgh, was one of the first students of Rabbi Posner in the 1940’s. It was in the Yeshiva in Pittsburgh that he was introduced to Chabad, and with great self-sacrifice he moved to New York to become a Chossid of the Frierdiker Rebbe.
In Tomchei Temimim in New York, Rabbi Mentz was known as an exemplary student, called by the nickname “Binyomin Hatzadik.”
In 1954, the Rebbe encouraged a group of bochurim to keep Seder, and asked about their whereabouts one evening. The Rebbe was told that the group had left to a wedding in Manhattan. The Rebbe requested the group return, and Rabbi Mentz was one of the bochurim who returned to 770. When they returned, they were summoned to the Rebbe, where the Rebbe gave them each Chanukah gelt, the first time the Rebbe had done so.
At his marriage, the Rebbe was Mesader Kedushin.
A resident of Crown Heights for many decades, Rabbi Mentz was one of the oldest living American Chassidim, known for his great devotion to the Rebbe. He was part of the famous Monday night Shulchan Aruch Shiur which took place for many years.
He was known to be a kind person, who never spoke a bad word about anyone. Many newlywed Chasanim related that Rabbi Mentz would take the time to show them how to put on a Talis and fold it after davening, when he noticed them in 770 shul just after their weddings.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Miriam Mentz, his children Rabbi Chaim Mentz – Bel Air, CA; Rabbi Yossi Mentz – Los Angeles, CA; Hendy Raymen, Baltimore, MD, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral will take place Tuesday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 10 AM and passing by 770 Eastern Parkway at 10:45 am.
Mrs. Miriam Mentz will be sitting Shiva at 713 East New York Avenue, Crown Heights.
Rabbi Chaim Mentz and Rabbi Yossi Mentz will be sitting Shiva in Bel Air, CA – 10421 Summer Holly Circle, Bel Air, CA 90077
Shiva Times: Shacharis – 8:00am, Mincha/Maariv – 5:30pm
Baruch Dayen Haemes
Our thoughts and our prayers are withal of you as fimily family and may his soul go to the highest places to be with those who are righteous like him.
Zalman Yosef ben Hershel
BD”H
What a Special Neshoma in every sense of the word
Always remember apples don’t fall far from the tree
May your loss and Shomaim’s gain finally tilt the scale and bring the ultimate Simcha with Moshiach Now. Simchas Only
IB
BD”E to all the family
Warm Regards,
Hessel & Miriam Kessler & family (LB/LA)
My family was so fortunate to have this man, my Rabbi’s father, to recite Kadish for 11 months 3 times a day when there was no one to do so when my beloved uncle passed last year. I’ve shared 2 Seder tables with with man who’s smile spoke only of loving kindness. BDE
I remember him from empire shteibel. he was a very gentle and soft spoken man
He was a מתפלל in the kolel minyan for many years He would always sit at our kidush and say wonderful stories of the rebbe and previous rebbe always with a twinkle in his eyes he was a very devoted chasid a true הצנע לכת He was a link to he old days and now that link is gone Always with a smile and in good spirits. He was always makpid to daven with a minyan. Even when it was hard for him to come to the kolel he would make great effort to come up the stairs to daven.… Read more »
Among the 36 Righteous
A true tzaddik I used to watch him Daven for hours in 770 saying every word
To #10 says “one” of the first, and Binyamin was one of the first American born chassidim
Wow what a true tzadick and such a special man!
I know his grandchildren from Bel Air they have a strong Hiskashrus and true warmth for others now I understand where they get it from May the family be comforted MOSHIACH NOW
such a nice man I also remember in telling the story of purim 5713 when the Rebbe raised both of his hands three times “hura Hura hura” and that took care of stalin ym”s, he told the story not missing a single detail המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך
שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
BDE!
I didn’t know him, but I know his Grandaughter, as well as the rest of the Family.
They are as kind and caring one can ever know.
May Binyamin Ben Liba’s Neshamah have an Aliya.
He really was a true true tzadik. Changed so many people’s lives. He will be missed and remembered by everyone. A true Angel
He participated evry day in the Rambam shiur in 770, 3 chapters daily For Abaut 25 years and was a true chosid.
ZOL ER ZAIN A GUTEN BETTER FAR DI GANTZE MISHPOCHO
AND BRING MOSHIACH NOW
I knew him personally and so saddened by his passing
He was a really tzadik
BDE. He was a devoted husband
Rabbi Mentz was a real Tzaddik!
He was one of the Bochurim who stayed up all night saying tehilim by The Fredikah Rebbes body the night before the Fredika Rebbes Levaya
a real loss to lubavitch