Rabbi Benjamin Hecht

HaRav Binyamin Chaim Ben Tzvi Aryeh Ve Zelda

In addition to the in-person service at the chapel, the funeral will also be live-streamed. To view the service virtually, please go to https://smclive.ca/ on Tuesday, April 25th at 2:00 p.m.

To join the Zoom Shiva call on Thursday between 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., please tune in to:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87336020257?pwd=Q3hJV09SQUgyZFVycEcyRGNOREpaQT09Meeting ID: 873 3602 0257Passcode: ghUH76

Date of Death: Monday, April 24, 2023

Yahrzeit Day: Iyar 4

Date of Funeral: Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Time of Funeral: 2:00 PM

Memorial Service Location: Steeles Memorial Chapel, 350 Steeles Ave., W., Thornhill.

Burial Service Location: Pardes Shalom Cemetery - B'nai Torah Section - 10953 Dufferin St, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S2

Shiva Details: 22 Tichester Road, #207, Toronto. Mincha/Maariv Tuesday night only at 8:00 p.m. Shacharit Wednesday morning only at 7:30 a.m. Shiva daily (excluding Friday) from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Thursday, there will be a Zoom Shiva call from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (see above for link). On Friday, Shiva will visit from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Shiva concludes Monday morning, May 1st.

Message of Condolence

Posted on 25.04.2023 - 9:56 AM

Jerrold and Tzippy Landau

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Rabbi Hecht. I recall him from my younger days in Ottawa (when I often walked to shul with his late father Harry Hecht, who lived a few blocks from us), from the shiurim he would give in Toronto, and from being part of our small shul (known as Mizrachi Bayit at the time) many years back. He was a very creative thinker, who left a mark on the Jewish community. May his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 10:13 AM

Freya Morrison

My heartfelt condolences to the family. I feel grateful and privileged to have studied for many years with Rabbi Hecht. I have greatly missed our shiurim and am deeply saddened to know that they will never resume. I will cherish the lessons and wisdom he shared. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 10:27 AM

Liora and Ariel Burton

We are so sorry to hear of R'Hecht's passing. R' Hecht was a unique person who filled an important role in Toronto's Jewish community. We appreciated learning from him as his approach to learning was intentional, intellectually stimulating and challenging. We still remember some of his words and quote them periodically. He approached psak thoughtfully, listening to the person asking so as to answer appropriate to their situation. We miss him.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 10:34 AM

Janice Lebow

To the family of Rabbi Hecht: I was very saddened to hear that Rabbi Hecht succumbed to his tragic long illness. I had davened for his refuah but it was not to be. I had for years been enjoying and being inspired by the Nishma mailings and was happy to contribute to this organization. My condolences to the family and to Martin A. who worked steadfastly for Nishma's continuance with Rabbi Hech's daughter. I am positive that Rabbi Hecht is smiling down at his family and dear ones with great pride and graditude. Hamakom Yenachem Etchem Betoch Shaar Avalei Tzion ve Yerushalyim and know no more sorrow. My heart is with you.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 10:44 AM

Debbie and Wayne Levin

We are so sorry to learn of the passing of Rabbi Hecht. He provided unconventional thinking and guidance and was of great help to us when we experienced a loss ourselves. He was definitely one of a kind - 100% genuine. Confident in his knowledge and abilities - which were substantial. May his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 11:35 AM

Edith Stal

Hecht family, So sorry to hear about Rabbi Hecht ah. I attended some classes in past . He was very knowledgeable . May Hashem heal all of your family among others mourners if Isreal.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 11:57 AM

Sean Egan

Rabbi Hecht taught me so much. I will profoundly miss him and his classes. May his memory be a comfort to his family and to all who knew him.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 12:05 PM

Michael Mirsky

So sorry to hear of Rabbi Hecht's passing. He was like a rebbe to my father Boris Mirsky A"H. My father attended his Sunday morning shiur at Adath Israel every week. He was one of the few Orthodox rabbis who was not afraid of entering a non-Orthodox shul. Yehi Zichro Baruch

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 12:12 PM

Michael Hart

Dear Dodi, Tik, Chai and Razi, We are devastated to learn of rabbi Hecht;s passing. Such a resplendant neshama! such a golden man. May you all have strength. love the Hart's

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 12:14 PM

Rabbi Daniel Korobkin

I am deeply pained over the loss of Rav Benji zt"l. He was a great asset to our community and provided spiritual and intellectual guidance to countless Jews and non-Jews. His passing is a great loss to Klal Yisrael. Truly a gem among our people. Condolences to his entire family and may his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 12:24 PM

Myer Betel

It is with great sadness that I hear of passing of Rabbi Hecht. In addition to being a great scholar, he was a kind and gentle person, and had time for everyone.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 12:33 PM

Steve and Sarah Sherman

We were so saddened to hear of the petirah of Rabbi Hecht. He was a wonderful speaker, philosopher and a true educator, He was an asset to our community and he will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 12:55 PM

Dvorah Feinstat nee Appotive

My condolences to the Hecht family. Bengie and I were classmates at Hillel Academy in Ottawa. Our families were friends from the old Machzekie Hadas Shul. We reconnected in Toronto when I moved to the Bnai Torah area and we’d meet up in Shul. Bengie was kind and thoughtful and had a brilliant mind. He will be missed by many!

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 1:18 PM

Bernie Rabinovitch

I attended classes with Rabbi Hecht for a number of years and it was an inspirational time well spent with a Judaic scholar who was always willing to learn as well as teach and who was a true gentleman who offered his unconditional support whenever requested.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 1:36 PM

Ron Dragushan

I am so sorry to hear of Rabbit Hecht's passing. I learned so much from him, both in Jewish learning and just how to live a good life. Rabbi Hecht made such an impact on the entire Jewish community. He will be missed by so many in the community. May his memory be a blessing to his family and all who knew him.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 1:52 PM

Mark Dodick

Please accept my sincere condolences on the petira of Rabbi Hecht, ZL. He brought an innovative perspective, novel analytical thinking, consistent erudition and a felt passion for Torah to his discourses. Those are unique assets when communicating about themes and subjects that have already been addressed by many others over many centuries. May you be comforted by the memory of his lively intellect and demonstrated commitment to Jewish values.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 3:06 PM

Tamara Roitman

Your Dad was such a special person. Both of your parents were. I'm so sorry Dods, Chai, Tikvah and Razi.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 4:29 PM

Sue Oliver

To all the Hecht family: Losing your father is such a loss for the whole community and he will se sorely missed. Such a wonderful teacher and a wonderful man! He taught and influenced by example as much as by his insightful shiurim. Although he was such a gentle and approachable soul, he was a gladiator when it came to intellectual challenge. So many broken hearts left by his loss!

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 4:54 PM

Aaron Rotenberg

So sorry to hear about Rabbi Hecht's passing. He was a meaningful teacher to me when I was deepening in Jewish practice and he encouraged me to think more deeply about Torah, halacha and Jewish thought. I fondly recall receiving his words of Torah through the NISHMA mailings when I moved from Toronto to New York for my undergraduate studies, which helped keep me connected to Torah from home. Sending my condolences to the family. May his memory be a blessing for all of us.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 4:55 PM

harold_tabacznik@yahoo.ca

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Rabbi Hecht. I have fond memories of his classes they were always stimulating. His style of teaching was unique. He was also a very skilled @ passionate debator. May the wonderful memories you have of him be a source of strength & comfort to you together with the mourners of Zion & Jerusalem. May his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 5:04 PM

Joyce Solomon

Dear Hecht family, From days long ago ('80s) in Ottawa, remembering Harry and Jenny, a.h., to hearing while homeschooling of others who homeschooled, to Nishma/Chaburah, the Hechts have made their mark in several generations. Rabbi Benji, a true "thinking Rabbi", shone among them and I miss the "tension" of Elu v'Elu in Chaburah dearly. It was a bright, "new", if challenging, pathway... You all spoke so well at the levaya...which I have just viewed to be with you, at least virtually, from ירושלים. May those memories, and others you will soon hear, serve to comfort you at this time. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבילי ציון וירושלים

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 5:56 PM

Mordechai Torczyner

This is such painful news. I remember hearing Rabbi Hecht speak when I first came to Toronto, 14 years ago. I look through my email archive and see our correspondence - a lot, but not nearly enough. His voice, in person and in writing, was consistently a voice of reason and compassion and warmth and Torah and insight... He influenced so many people, on so many levels. Yehi zichro baruch. We need to learn so much from him.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 7:00 PM

Marty, Joanne & David Abeles

Dodi, Tikva, Chai and Razi. We've always felt like part of the family. I learned so much from your beloved father. Working closely with Rabbi Hecht all these years has been a special fortunate part of my life. We always stood in awe of his brilliant intellect. We will miss him terribly. We are most fortunate to have known him, your dear mother, Naomi, and all of you.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 7:51 PM

Reuben Klein

baruch dayan emet. I was lucky to have had the priveledge to study privatey with Rabbi Hecht for a number of years. It was very moving to hear the family speak about their father and may they take comfort in the memory of the wonderful many years they were able to spend with him.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 9:20 PM

Paul and Amy Appleby

Baruch Dayan HaEmet. Rav Benji was my Rabbi, teacher and friend. We last spoke on his second day in hospital, and not a day has gone by since then in which so many of us have davened and hoped for his complete recovery. May his beautiful neshama have a speedy transition.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 10:06 PM

Michael Glogauer

I am distraught over the loss of my Rav Hecht zt"l. He was warm, kind, and caring. He was also brilliant in Torah and worldly knowledge and was the best teacher I ever encountered. One memory among many that I will always cherish is his Sunday class with the most eclectic group I was ever a part of. The diversity of the group was a testament to who he was as a leader and teacher. Ben and Naomi were warm and inviting and THE role models of what it means to be yidden. Condolences to his entire family and may his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 10:07 PM

Sheryl & Sam Goldberg

ברוך דיין האמאת My connection to Benji goes back to our births. Our Fathers were "Greeners" and Holocaust Survivors married to local Ottawa Jewish women. I was born 5 days after him and we grew up together davening at B'nai Jacob on James Street. When we moved to Toronto, I'd run into him near Bathurst and Wilson or in Thornhill at Sobeys and the time in between would melt away when we spoke. Rav Hecht was a kind and brilliant man. My wife and I would like to wish that his family knows no more sorrow. May his memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 11:30 PM

Marcia and Michael Pascoe

Dear Hecht family, we are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Father. We were long time residents of Kitchener and knew your Grandparents well. They were so proud of your Mom and Dad. I also attended several of your Dad’s classes. May his memory be for a blessing. Michael and Marcia Pascoe

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Posted on 25.04.2023 - 11:59 PM

Evan Weiner

Tikva and family, I am so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted among the mourners of Tziyon and Yerushalayim.

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 1:54 AM

Jeremy Gaisin

I am so very sorry for your loss. All the Hechts I know are so wonderful, I'm sure your father, z"l, was a special man. May you be comforted, and may you know no more sorrow.

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 1:58 AM

CHARLES E BARKIN

I first met Rabbi Hecht when he was the Rabbi in Kingston NY. This was the time when I became Shomer Shabbat and Rabbi Hecht helped me . From that time on, we got to be good friends . He is and was the best . May his Neshama have an aliya and may his family have no more sorrow.

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 7:06 AM

Eric Appotive

Sincere condolences. A life well lived.

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 8:53 AM

lawrence levine

dear dodi and family. adele and i were very sad to hear of the passing of your beloved father. we knew your father for almost 50 years and knew him as a man of the highest integrity and love for the jewish people. may your family be comforted among the mourners of israel and jerusalem. lawrence and adele levine

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 9:41 AM

Michael and Marcia Pascoe

Dear Hecht Family, we are so sorry for the loss of your beloved father. For many years we lived in Kitchener and knew your grandparents well. They were very proud of your dad and mom. I also enjoyed attending your father’s classes. May his name be for a blessing.

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 12:12 PM

Cheryl Fishbain Aroosi

Dear Hecht family I am so sorry to hear of your Rabbi Benji’s passing. I knew he was very ill and was praying for his recovery. I went to school with Benji in Ottawa and remember his late parents also. May the wonderful memories sustain you during this very difficult time. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 4:07 PM

Mordechai Sevy

Sorry to hear. מן השמיים תנוחמו המקום ינחם אתכם עם שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.

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Posted on 26.04.2023 - 4:21 PM

Atara Beck

To the family - Meyer and I are so saddened by the passing of our dear friend. We became close friends in the last few years before we made aliyah in 2011, so we didn't get to know his children. But please know that we loved him - and Naomi - and that we feel the loss deeply. In fact, we had kept in touch even after moving away until the illness struck. Baruch Dayan Haemet.

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Posted on 27.04.2023 - 1:20 AM

Tamara Kaplan (Edwards)

Dear Chai, Dodi-Lee, Tikvah, and Razi, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. He was a very important figure for me at a complex and confusing time in my life. He gave me so much of his own time and care, sharing his thoughts and wisdom in ways that helped me grow and make decisions that were true to what I really thought and believed. I will never forget him and am very, very sorry for your loss and for the loss of your mother, whom I will also never forget - not in a million years. Tamara Kaplan (Edwards)

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Posted on 27.04.2023 - 9:53 AM

Spiegel Family

We are saddened by this news for the family and all of Israel. Driven to enlighten and enliven the life’s of others his spark will be missed.

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Posted on 27.04.2023 - 10:36 AM

David and Sandy Cohen

Rabbi Hecht was not only my Rebbe, my teacher, but he was also my friend and will be greatly missed. His wisdom, caring, compassion and kindness was beyond compare. We wish the family a long life and comfort during this difficult time. With love, David and Sandy Cohen.

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Posted on 27.04.2023 - 10:47 AM

Helene and Jack Saunders

We are so sorry to hear this news, but are consoled that Rabbi Hecht is now with Naomi and no longer in a state of limbo. May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yershalayim.

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Posted on 28.04.2023 - 7:24 AM

Nili Laiman

Dear Hecht Family, Rabbi Hecht will be missed by me and those who were privileged to hear him speak and learn Torah from him. May you be comforted with the mourners of Zion. Love, Nili Laiman

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Posted on 30.04.2023 - 2:58 PM

Lance Davis

I am so very sorry for your loss. I genuinely admired Rabbi Hecht. He lived a life of Torah that I aspire to. He was a role model. I hope the Almighty gives you strength during this difficult period of time.

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Posted on 30.04.2023 - 4:14 PM

Moshe Crystal

Dear Hecht family, Rabbi Hecht had a profound positive effect on my family (and many others) when he was our Rabbi in Kingston, NY. His tremendous creative energy and passion for Torah is something that has stayed with me for decades. He maintained a connection with our family even after he left and I am thankful that I was able to express to him how much he meant to us. May his Torah live on in the hearts of Bnei Yisrael. Yehi zichro baruch.

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Posted on 01.05.2023 - 2:37 PM

Ron Cowitz

My sincere condolences to the Hecht family. I attended the Rabbi's Sunday morning classes for many years and they were very interesting, stimulating enjoyable and very knowledgeable. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Posted on 02.05.2023 - 3:00 PM

David Bronfman

Sincere condolences to the family on the loss of their beloved father Rabbi Ben Hecht

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Posted on 31.05.2023 - 11:40 AM

Eric Vernon

My recollections of Rabbi Hecht are of a kind, humble and sincere man, both accessible and intellectually driven, committed to honest, independent, creative thinking within the world of halakhah. One never doubted the genuineness of his intentions, and his humility and sincerity did not detract from his determination to stand for his convictions nor to act as a leader when needed. Rabbi Hecht took steps to help make changes specific to the course of my life, and I am grateful to have known him and had the chance to ask him questions and hear his answers. May his memory be for blessing.

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Posted on 09.06.2023 - 10:19 AM

Dr. David Greenspoon

Rabbi Benjamin Hecht had such a deep impact on my appreciation of Judaism and Halacha. I lost touch with him when I left Hamilton, Ont., but thought about out conversations often. May his memory be a blessing. David Greenspoon

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