The Rambam (introduction to Mishneh Torah) lists Baruch as the absolute Gadol HaDor of his generation. He is the one who received the Torah from Yirmiyahu and taught it to Ezra. There were only 40 such individuals from the time of Moshe Rabbeinu until Rav Ashi, who wrote and complied the Talmud Bavli. As little as we know about him, Baruch ben Neriyah was one of the most supreme Torah leaders Klal Yisrael ever had.
It is fascinating to note that his rebbe, Yirmiyahu, was the leading prophet at the time of the destruction of Yerushalayim, but his prime student, Ezra, was the leader of Klal Yisrael who presided over the rebuilding of Yerushalayim. Baruch acts as the link and transition from destruction to rebirth. His strength appears to be in the ability to endure suffering, sadness, and tragedy with a focus on what would come at the end – the renewal, rebuilding and renaissance of Klal Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael.
From where did Baruch receive these qualities? Let us analyze his name.
The Nefesh Hachaim (2:2) says that the word baruch, blessing, is related to the word bereicha, wellspring. A spring is a source of water which increases its flow without drawing on any previous source. When we say “Baruch Atah Hashem” we are saying, “You are the source.” Hashem is the ultimate Source of all existence, and it is the sheaf, “flow” of koach, energy, which He infuses into Creation that sustains and preserves it. By saying Baruch Atah Hashem, we are asking Hashem to manifest Himself with greater abundance in this world. The Sefer Ha’Ikrim (2:26) says similarly that baruch is a multi-purpose word used for one receiving good from another and for one giving good to another.
A person’s name is the root of who he is, Chazal tell us. Baruch ben Neriyah was able to focus on the good and blessing even amidst the darkness and transfer it to the next generation which would rebuild.