JEWISH HOME LA

Rav Gerson Bess Delivers Yahrtzeit Shiur at LINK Kollel For Rabbi Kalman Levine, HY”D

Rabbi Eli Stern

Four years ago, a shocking terrorist attack took place at the Kehillas Bnei Torah shul in the Har Nof section of Yerushalayim. Five Rabbis were brutally murdered while clad in tallis and tefillin during Shacharis. Amongst them was Rabbi Kalman Levine, hy”d, originally from Kansas City, Missouri. His nephew, Rabbi Yehuda Kraft, was learning in Yerushalayim at the time and now learns in the LINK Kollel in L.A. To commemorate Rabbi Levine’s fourth yahrtzeit, on Thursday night, the 24th of Marcheshvan (November 1st), the kollel hosted Rav Gershon Bess, who gave a shiur in Rabbi Levine’s memory.

Rav Bess is the senior posek of the Los Angeles community and rav of Congregation Kehillas Yaakov in Hancock Park. To a packed beis medrash, Rav Bess delivered a masterful presentation on many of the halachic intricacies in the laws of affixing a mezuzah to one’s home, including issues dealing with walk-in closets and porches.

Rav Bess’s remarks were preceded by words of hesped from Rabbi Kraft. He recalled his uncle as a masmid who was always learning Torah yet found time to help others as well. His love of Torah was matched by his refined humility. He was a true embodiment of kiddush Hashem in life, as well as in death.