Rabbi Shaul Alter Consoles Bereaved Father and Shares Family Loss Story in Jerusalem
Rabbi Shaul Alter, head of the Gur Hasidic yeshiva, visited Jerusalem's Ramat Shlomo neighborhood on Monday to offer condolences to Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Faivelzon, who recently lost his 30-year-old daughter. During the meeting, Rabbi Alter spoke about accepting divine judgment with love and the importance of bearing one another's burdens, citing teachings from the sages and commentators on God's ways.
Rabbi Faivelzon shared a moving story about his late daughter and her exceptional respect for her parents. Rabbi Alter also recounted how his father, the Pnei Menachem of Gur, coped with the sudden death of his beloved son Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh. At the conclusion of the condolence visit, Rabbi Faivelzon blessed Rabbi Alter, wishing him blessings in all his endeavors. Rabbi Alter modestly responded that he is not a rabbi but acknowledged the blessing nonetheless.
The encounter was captured on video by the Dvar Emet Institute and included several photographs documenting the visit. The exchange highlighted themes of faith, humility, and mutual support within the Hasidic community during times of loss.