Rabbi Dubrawsky

Dear Dena and family,
My thoughts have been going around in circles for days as I struggle to find words. Nothing can begin to address the enormity of the loss. There is a huge hole in this world, that right now is so raw.

I remember Rabbi Dubrawsk's tanya class in high school. We were barely into our teens and the depth of the subject was a completely new experience for us. I remember one class in particular where he challenged us to analyze the difference between the various levels of tzadik, rasha and beinoni in perek alef. I'm sure plenty of what we said was off the mark, but in response Rabbi Dubrawsky would have this surprised look of pride, as if we had enormously impressed him, and call us talmidei chachomim. We would laugh, it was that kind of classroom, relaxed and positive, but we also felt so good, so empowered, like little scholars. When he taught us, I'm sure it was one task of hundreds in his busy day, but there was never a sense of him rushing through the class, or impatience to move on to the more urgent matters on his calendar. Whatever he was doing, whoever he was teaching, young or old, got his undivided attention and full presence. Rabbi Dubrawsky was a true example of a pnimi, an example I hope to implement in my own life.

How can I begin to thank Rabbi Dubrawsky for thinking of me when he encountered Binyomin, in passing, over ten years ago? All the beautiful brochos I have in my life today can be traced back to his trademark consideration for others, his quiet but powerful ahavas yisroel. Together with you, Dena, hours were spent in following through with the shidduch and beyond, always there to answer any of our questions, address any of our concerns. I can only hope that what Binyomin and I build together will bring nachas to Rabbi Dubrawsky.

To tell you the truth, I've always felt quite in awe in Rabbi Dubrawsky's presence. Even as a young child I sensed this towering greatness, this penetrating insight into neshamos that you don't find in regular people.
Which makes the loss all the more unbearable, so painful to imagine moving on with this impossible-to-fill void.
Dena and family, what can I say? We greatly miss this giant of a man. May Hashem give you the koach to heal from this devastation.

Malky Bitton