Rabbi Shalom Arush on Faith After Tragedy: A Father’s Loss, Healing, and the Power of Gratitude

Ten years have passed since the devastating tragedy that struck the Arush family. Little Faiga Chana, only one year and eight months old, was killed in a horrific car accident. The tragedy occurred as the family was driving home from the hilula of the Baba Sali in Netivot. The car — which carried the rabbi’s son, his wife, two children, and the infant, was involved in a head-on collision. The family members emerged from the vehicle conscious, but the baby was critically injured. Rescue teams rushed her to the hospital while performing CPR, but the doctors were forced to declare her death.

The father, R’ Shimon — who was also injured, was not informed immediately. Only several days later, when he began to recover, his own father, Rabbi Shalom Arush, had to break the heartbreaking news that his young daughter had passed.

“Hashem gave and Hashem took,” Rabbi Arush said after the tragedy. “He decreed to take her pure soul and bring her to Heaven, to Gan Eden. We do not ask questions. We accept everything with love.”

He added at the time: “There are very special souls who choose, of their own will, to come into this world. They choose to come for a year or two only to bring a spiritual rectification. These are the souls of the children who are taken from us suddenly, before they ever tasted sin. That is what they wanted — to come for a short time and to repair. Faiga Chana was such a sweet soul, so full of goodness. As her mother said, not a drop of evil existed within her — not a single trace of negativity. Everything about her was pure and clear, and that is how she ascends Above. I told my daughter-in-law that now, in Gan Eden, they are enjoying Faiga Chana no less than we enjoyed her pure soul during her time here.”

Rabbi Arush is the head of the “Chut Shel Chessed” institutions and one of the leading Breslov rabbis. He is often called “The Minister of Joy” and “The Minister of the Smile” because of his tendency to weave humor into his teachings.

“We believe with complete faith that Hashem knows exactly what He is doing in His world. The basic rule for us is that Hashem loves us, and everything He does is only because He loves us — even if we don’t understand it. Everything is good and for the good. That is the first principle: Hashem is only good, kindness, and compassion. Everything He does is for a person’s benefit. Therefore, when a person holds onto faith, he receives everything with joy, with love, and with ease.”

How can someone accept suffering with love while still inside the trial?

“The only way to open the heavenly gates is through gratitude — ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving.’ When a person decides to set aside his own intellect and believe that Hashem is good and compassionate, and that He loves us, the gates of Heaven open at that moment.

When a person refuses to accept Hashem’s decree, everything stays closed — because it raises the unspoken question: Who is right? The person or Hashem?

We know Hashem is righteous. So that’s it — no complaints. If a person does not accept what happens to him, it is as if he is saying Hashem is unjust, and that creates judgment against him. When a person cries, the gates close. When he thanks Hashem, the gates open.

A person must say: ‘Creator of the world, I accept what You do and I thank You. You are all kindness and compassion. What You do is only from Your love for me. You know exactly what You are doing.’”

How does the rabbi himself cope with hardships?

“In exactly the same way. I accept with love whatever Hashem does, believing that He knows better than I do what is good for me. That is the path. That is the battle of faith. A person thinks he can understand Hashem and the way He runs the world — but it’s impossible. This is the battle for emunah.”

In recent years, many parents face the painful challenge of children leaving the religious path. What do you tell parents in this situation?

“The main thing is to accept the test with love and justify it. One must say: ‘These hardships are what I deserve. The child is not to blame — this is what I deserve, and I accept it with love.’ After expressing gratitude, they should pray for the child — together with all the children of Israel, and they will see miracles. When the test is accepted with love, the prayers are answered. I accompany many parents through this, and I say nothing theoretical. Everything I say comes from experience.”

Many people struggle with finding a spouse, or not yet having children, or with health challenges. What advice do you offer?

“There is no suffering. There is faith or lack of faith. Everything depends on a person’s perspective. Everything is good. If a person believes — everything is good. If a person does not believe, he suffers. Suffering exists only when a person refuses to accept what Hashem is doing with him.”

We are on the eve of the Baba Sali’s hilula.

“The Baba Sali was a tzaddik who lived entirely for the Jewish people. He received people day after day and helped them. He prayed powerful prayers that canceled decrees and brought blessings to Israel. He lived for the nation, and the nation loves him in return. He had tremendous power to nullify harsh judgments, nature, and evil decrees. He was a beloved tzaddik.”

What is the rabbi’s message to the Jewish people?

“The Jewish people must know that Hashem loves us. Every person, wherever they are, must know: Hashem loves you with such an overwhelming love that every second He thinks, ‘What can I give My son or daughter now?’

If a person had such faith — he would draw endless blessing into his life.

What must we do to receive blessing? Pray. The words of prayer are vessels for blessing. Each word is a container that draws abundance. Gratitude and praise are the most powerful vessels of all.”