Rabbi Aharon Noach Blasbalg, z”l

Born in Antwerp Belgium on 29 Sivan, 5683 to, z”l, Reb Binyomin Zev and Leah Blasbalg,Reb Aharon Noach learned  in the cheder of Yesodei HaTorah, and in the Heida Yeshivah for his mesivta years under Harav Shapiro, zt”l.

In Yesodei HaTorah, his Gemara rebbi was Harav Avrohom Yosef Pesachovitz (Pesach), z”l, a fervent chassid of, zy”a, the Sfas Emes and the Imrei Emes. Before the war, Reb Aharon Noach was set to depart for Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, where he had been accepted — a singular honor and accomplishment in those days.

When World War II reached Antwerp, he and his parents fled through France, Portugal, and Casablanca. Eventually, they and others traveled to Cuba. Eventually they settled in Havana, where he married Ettel Fraida Censor, another Antwerp refugee.

In Havana, he founded the Zeirei Agudath Yisrael, which helped establish the frum community. He gave shiurim, organized Pirchei activities, and printed a newspaper. Also during that time he continued learning with Harav Shmuel Alter, z”l, author of Likutei Basar Likutei, and his mentor, Reb Usher Schwebel, z”l.

After the war he left Cuba, settling in Manhattan and then Boro Park. He gave Daf Yomi shiurim, completing the cycle b’rabim eight times.

His children remember that every Shabbos he would rise at 3 a.m. to learn until 6 a.m., when the Daf Yomi shiur came to the house and learned until Shacharis.

Whether he davened in the Gerrer shtiebel on 49th Street and Thirteenth Avenue or in the shtiebel on 51st Street and 16thAvenue, everyone knew that if you had a question on any section of Torah, or were looking for mareh mekomos, he was the one to ask. He was especially fond of learning with the bachurim and children.

In addition to being a talmid chacham, Reb Aharon Noach was well educated in secular matters. He spoke and wrote in  seven languages.

But he was most famous for his shiurim. His koach in hasbara was without equal.

On Shabbos, 7 Tammuz, the yahrtzeit of the Lev Simcha of Ger, zy”a, to whom he was so mekushar, he returned his neshamah, in the presence of family members.

Reb Aharon Noach is survived by his daughter Rachel Corcia, and his sons Nachman, Yanky, and Binyomin Zev (Velvel), and more than three generations of doros yesharim u’mevorochim, including Rabbanim, talmidei chachamim, and askanim. A more complete tribute will, iy”H, appear in a future edition.

Yehi zichro baruch.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the July 8th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.