A Father’s Faith After Loss: Rabbi Lasry’s Story

Thousands of people came to comfort Rabbi Michael Lasry during his days of mourning and many left feeling strengthened themselves. Despite the unimaginable loss of his 21-year-old son, Rabbi Lasry, a well-known figure in the world of Jewish outreach, remains filled with pure faith. In every word and every moment, he sees Hashem’s hand.

In a heartfelt conversation with "Kikar HaShabbat," Rabbi Lasry said, “We need to understand that everything that happens in the world is Hashem speaking to us. Through every event, He’s asking us to continue growing stronger.”

Just one day earlier, Rabbi Lasry had buried his beloved son. Yet those who came to comfort him were amazed to find that he was the one comforting and uplifting them. With deep sincerity and burning faith, he urged people to come closer to Torah and to return to Hashem.

The tragedy had happened over the weekend. On Friday night, his son went to immerse in the sea near Ashdod as a spiritual preparation for Shabbat and the upcoming holiday of Shavuot. For reasons no one could fully understand, he was pulled into a whirlpool. He was rescued in critical condition, but on the morning of Shavuot, his soul returned to its Creator. “He completed his tikkun (spiritual mission),” people said at the funeral.

Even in the midst of his grief, Rabbi Lasry spoke words of hope. “The coming of Mashiach feels closer than ever,” he said. “People ask how it's possible that in earlier generations, people would cry and faint over such tragedies, while today our eyes stay dry. The difference is, back then people felt Mashiach was far away, so they mourned deeply. But now, after 2,000 years of exile, everyone senses that he’s right at the doorstep. Very soon, we’ll all see techiyat hametim, the resurrection of the dead.”

Then he said something even more personal: “This is my Akeidat Yitzchak (Binding of Isaac), and it brings merit to all of Am Yisrael (the Jewish people). We must remember that Hashem is good and compassionate. As it says in the Torah: ‘The Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are justice. A faithful God, without wrong, righteous and fair is He.’ Just as the Akeidah brought blessing to all of Israel, so too does this personal sacrifice.”

When asked how we can strengthen ourselves when facing such painful moments, Rabbi Lasry responded, “We must know that every event is a message from Hashem. He’s calling us to grow stronger. My son, Shimon Yochai, always encouraged perseverance in Torah learning. That is his legacy to keep learning and growing in holiness. Every person should take something upon themselves to strengthen their connection to Torah and mitzvot. That will lift his soul.”

In an interview with the website “Behadrei Haredim,” Rabbi Lasry was asked, “We prayed and learned Torah all night on Shavuot. People read 10,000 Tehillim (Psalms) for your son. So why did his soul ascend right after the holiday?”

Rabbi Lasry answered with moving clarity. “You need to understand that nothing in this world is ever wasted. Everything you did was preparation. According to Kabbalah, the night of Shavuot is when we prepare the ‘jewels’ for the bride, the Jewish people to unite with the Torah. The holiest moment is during Musaf prayer on Shavuot, even greater than the Ne’ilah of Yom Kippur. And it was exactly during that Musaf that Hashem took Shimon Yochai to his true wedding with the Torah. Hashem waited for the holiest time to bring him home.”

Reflecting further, Rabbi Lasry asked, “What is this world, really? People don’t notice it’s a dream. But one day, everyone will wake up, and then it will be as it says in Psalms, ‘We were like dreamers.’ People will laugh at how much they cared about meaningless things.”

He continued, “What remains for us is to strengthen ourselves and make commitments so we can hear Hashem’s messages more clearly.”

The Rabbi was also asked why he chose not to remain at the hospital with his son during the holiday, and instead went to a seminar in Dimona. His answer was filled with faith and purpose. “In that situation, the way to help was to increase zechuyot (spiritual merits). I went to be with 400 people who came to learn Torah all night because they knew I would be there. How would it help Shimon Yochai if I sat by his side and cried? Would looking at the machines bring merit? What helps is Torah.”

“I left some of my children at the hospital to be with him,” he explained, “but I ran to bring him merits. When all these young people sit and study Torah all night, there is no greater merit than that.”

Through his pain, Rabbi Lasry continues to be a voice of clarity and strength, reminding all of us that Hashem is always near, even in the most difficult moments.