The song “Tamid Ohev Oti” – more commonly known as “Od Yoter Tov” – which recently burst into the chareidi world, is being sung in various places, including weddings and other simchos.
However, in recent weeks, a wide debate has emerged surrounding the song and its lyrics. In some locations, including yeshivas and chadorim, the song has been prohibited.
The song was composed by Rav Shalom Arush of “Chut Shel Chesed. Last weekend, in an extensive article in the weekend supplement of Yediot Achronot, journalist Shila Fried quoted the words of Rav Arush, who said that the song was born from the messages he regularly conveys to his talmidim during his shiurim.
“Rav Arush says that whoever believes in this and sings it – will truly have only good,” his students tell Yediot Achronot. “Just like a child believes his father always loves him, and if the father sees the child running into the street, he will grab him tightly – it’s clear to everyone that this is because he loves him and wants him to be safe. In the same way, we must believe that everything Hashem does is because He loves us and wants what’s best for us, and He will never disappoint us.”
For Rav Arush, this current hit song represents the completion of a quiet revolution he began – bringing the messages of faith from his shiurim and seforim into every home in Israel.
“It was a year of miracles and wonders,” Rav Arush said to his students during a closing shiur on the past year of war. “We saw greater miracles than the Exodus from Egypt. They threw thousands of missiles at us, and we saw open miracles, how Hashem protects us. But the greatest miracle of the past year is that all of Israel believes in Hashem. Everyone is singing ‘Hashem Yisbarach always loves me and will always do good for me.’ Everyone – even the little children. All my life I worked hard to teach faith to the people of Israel – I traveled, gave lectures, and worked hard. For several years I’ve been singing this song, but Hashem surprised me. The song caught on, and all of Israel believes. It has become the anthem for everyone.”
On the other hand, some have shed a different light on the song’s lyrics, even calling it “heresy,” include Rav Avrohom Deutsch, the head of the Beis Din of Maale Adumim. In his sefer on Derech Eretz Rabbah, which was released for the occasion of his son’s Bar Mitzvah, he refers to the song recently popularized.
In his introduction, Rav Deutsch writes: “And we have seen how the removal of knowledge in the ‘hidden ways of Derech Eretz’ leads to spiritual downfall and distorted beliefs. For several decades, a new generation has grown up that has not known or studied the foundations of our tradition, and for over ten years, new songs have emerged every day in the spoken language, without sources from Torah verses, Tehillim, the tefillos of the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah, or the pens of the great sages of our generations, but instead from the depths of hell of empty and frivolous people. And these are the songs sung even at weddings of the righteous and complete.
“Just a few days ago,” Rav Deutsch continues, “I was at a wedding hall where the chosson was singing a new song, and the main chorus was something like, ‘It will be even better, even better, and even better, and even better…’ And a wise man sitting next to me asked if I knew the source of this song. I replied that I did not know and this was the first time I had heard it, but what I do know is that it is either borderline heresy or outright heresy.”
Rav Deutsch explains that the person next to him was very surprised: “But this is such a positive and beautiful song, and it’s sung at all weddings, in all girls’ schools and boys’ Torah schools. It’s even in the ringtones on phones, why say it’s heresy?”
Rav Deutsch answered, citing the words of the Chafetz Chaim zt”l, who wrote: “It is permissible to say that a person has experienced a bitter event, for even a remedy for a person’s good can be bitter. However, it is impossible to say that anything is bad, because whatever Hakadosh Boruch Hu does is for the good. The Chafetz Chaim once recommended a person for a spiritual leadership position at a famous yeshiva, and as he was on his way there to thank the Chafetz Chaim for his recommendation, he was asked by the Chafetz Chaim how he felt, to which he answered, ‘A few more pennies wouldn’t hurt.’ The Chafetz Chaim replied: ‘Surely it would hurt. Hashem, the Merciful One, in His desire to do good for you, has not given it to you, and it’s clear that this is the best situation for you.’”
He continued, explaining the statement of Chazal regarding Sarah Imeinu that all the years of her life were “equal for good,” meaning that even though she went through various trials, including being taken by Paroh and Avimelech, she always believed that everything that happened to her was for her best. And in the sefer Otzros Ramchal, it is written, “Everything that happens – could not be better than this!”
“Thus, anyone who says, without understanding, ‘It will be even better, even better,’ reveals that they do not believe that what Hashem does is the best thing, and this is heresy and a fundamental flaw in the belief of Klal Yisroel that ‘whatever the Merciful One does, He does for the good.’ We have never heard from our sages a phrase like this, and those who think that by singing in Hebrew, they somehow sanctify the heresy in the words, are mistaken. We have reached a generation of upheaval, may Hashem have mercy, where they sanctify what our sages distanced themselves from.”
Rav Deutsch shares that he proposed his views to Rav Azriel Auerbach, the noted posek, who responded: “It is written, ‘Give thanks to Hashem for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.’ This means that a person’s situation is always good, and Hashem only sends good. The words of the Chafetz Chaim are simple and clear.” Regarding the song, Rav Auerbach said that he recognized it and added, “We must cancel this song.”
Later, Rav Deutsch recounts that one of the mashgichim, after hearing the lyrics of the song, asked in amazement: “Did someone who keeps Torah and mitzvos compose this song?! For this is against the very foundation of the Chafetz Chaim’s teachings.”
Rav Deutsch concluded: “According to what I’ve heard, this song has become widely accepted, even among the righteous, in a way that has not been seen in many years. In the opinion of the Chafetz Chaim and his disciples, it is clear that this is the power of the sitra achra (evil inclination), may Hashem have mercy, that has succeeded in breaking through the boundaries of the purest places, bringing confusion to the minds of all pure Jewish hearts around the world, especially among the younger generation, whose speech is usually pure.”
“Due to the lack of understanding and common sense, people, unintentionally and in the name of Hashem, introduce words of doubt into the faith into schools for both boys and girls, and to all homes and children of Klal Yisroel. Sometimes it can become a distortion that cannot be corrected. It is clear to anyone who fears and trembles before the word of Hashem that we must not utter words that not only create doubts in faith but also go against the simple faith passed down to us from our ancestors.
“Of course, it is a great merit, and fortunate is the person who purifies himself and his home with words of faith and joy, and distances himself from any impurity or corruption that could destroy the uplifting spirit of the homes of Yisroel, which strive to walk in the ways of Hashem in simplicity. Hashem is merciful and will forgive our sins, and to Hashem is the salvation.”
The first person to stir the controversy surrounding the song was Kolmus editor Rav Yisrael A. Grobice, who wrote in his column in the Mishpacha magazine two weeks ago: “Recently, a massive ‘hit’ exploded in the world. Millions are singing enthusiastically that Hashem loves them and will always make them well, and even better and better (there’s also a version in Yiddish and apparently even in Korean).
“The truth is,” he wrote, “this reflects a simplistic worldview and is not necessarily accurate. Maran HaChazon Ish wrote in his sefer Emunah U’Bitachon that this is a ‘long-standing mistake that has entered the hearts of many in the concept of ‘Bitachon.’ People think Bitachon means ‘everything will be good.’ But this is not the truth. The second half of the song is accurate. ‘Hashem Yisbarach loves me.’ However, the derivation of ‘It will always be good for me’ might be a great prayer, but it is not part of the fundamentals of faith. ‘The matter of Bitachon is the trust that there is no randomness in the world, and everything under the sun happens with a declaration from Hashem.’ This may seem like a trivial nuance, but it’s exactly the point. The fundamentals of faith are too serious to be acquired through popular tunes from the masses. It’s better that at least our children know that when it comes to faith, it’s time to put down the guitar and open the books.”
These words sparked a full-fledged debate, and this week, Grobice had to acknowledge that this is a dispute among earlier authorities, and it may be that according to the words of Rabbeinu Bachya in Chovos HaLevavos, part of the mitzvah of Bitachon is to believe and hope that it will be good. Readers pointed out that this is the path of Chassidus.
But Grobice concluded his thoughts by writing: “We live in an era of ‘advertising.’ The world around us thinks in slogans. Leaders, marketers, and journalists – all compete to penetrate our minds. And they know that the quickest way is through short and catchy phrases. We swallow them without even realizing. They enter our consciousness without us stopping to think about them. When a person reads a deep article, they stop occasionally to think. But when we hear a short, catchy tune, it seems insignificant.”
“For example, here is a song that is completely tied to a deep faith-based message. Before we start jumping to its tunes, it’s advisable to study the words and sources.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
I think that if you put a comma after the word Yotair, the issue is resolved. For me there will be more and more Tov, not more Tov than I have, but rather a continuaton of the Tov that I have now and always.
Sounds like Biden’s garbage apostrophe. If it’s that subtle, don’t expect every kid on the street to get it.
It struck me as odd at first, but I’m grateful that such a thought could become popular. In an age where even mentioning God can dismiss you as a fanatic, it’s remarkable that secular people are singing about God’s love and goodness.
The lyrics could also be understood differently: Hashem does the best for me in one matter and adds even more goodness in other areas. It’s not saying that a single good thing will keep improving but that Hashem continues to bring new and appropriate good into each aspect of my life.
While the critics raise valid concerns about theological precision, songs like this can inspire a connection to Hashem, especially for those who might not engage with Torah study. They are not replacements for traditional texts but stepping stones toward greater faith. Instead of dismissing this song, we should see it as an opportunity to nurture a thirst for Hashem and deepen that connection.
I wonder what Chazal fely about people who look to just break down and not take the good and make htings better. Instaed why not say, thi sis a beautiful song that comes froms a great place and you know what? We already have it all perfect? When you say it will be better, we mean that our outlook and understanding of HAshem’s love for us will only grow and be better.
I don’t think we shoudl be so negative. We lose more than we gain.
Every dumb thing on the internet doesn’t have to be repeated
“We saw greater miracles than the Exodus from Egypt. They threw thousands of missiles at us, and we saw open miracles, how Hashem protects us.”
This is also heresy, in addition to the song controversy. No, you did not see anything even remotely comparable to the miracles of the Exodus. What you saw was open hashgacha pratis, perhaps with some miracles as well, but nothing remotely comparable. As the Brisker Rav noted, every bomb has its address: that’s how Hashem runs His world. As opposed to, say, all waters in the world splitting at the same time, which is an absolute miracle.
Every day has a miracle! That’s why we light a candle in the first night of חנוכה despite the fact that the jar was only meant to last for one night. That too was a miracle.
Perhaps, if you weren’t obsessed with the Anti-Zionist Hashkafa, then you’d understand that there are other opinions on Judaism including the topic of נסים. Not having a single Jew be killed or injured by a rocket launcher campaign is NOT normal. Thus, many brand it a miracle.
What does כל מה שרחמנא עשה לטוב עשה ? What’s wrong with connecting to H-shem’s great chased in times of challenge and expressing that what Hashem does is only good? Please explain – saying that it’s heresy, that’s incorrect,
apikorsus
This is an old dispute about definition of Bitachon.
Chovos Halvavos (a Rishon) & Chasidim at large – hold like the lyrics in the song.
Why’s Avrohom Deutsch playing ignorance, acting like the Chazon Ish’s way is the only way?
This is an old dispute about definition of Bitachon.
Chovos Halvavos (a Rishon) & Chasidim at large – hold like the lyrics in the song.
Why’s Avrohom Deutsch playing ignorance, acting like the Chazon Ish’s way is the only way?
Some people think that there Rebbe is the only one…
i think its pretty obvious that it means “things we be even better” in a way that is recognizable to us. meaning even though we believe that everything is for the best but we still pray and hope for things to be the best in a way we can understand and recognize.
Pashut Pshat! Not Kefira!
Agree. Revealed to good. That is shud be obvious.
We need to work on seeing good when it appears not so good.
We shud all be blessed w revealed good, and only revealed good
Maybe they’re jealous that they weren’t zoche to create a song that makes people love Hashem. This song is definitely one of the greatest songs that has come out in a very long while. It gives chizzuk to so many people. They should worry about themselves before they worry about everyone else who actually is inspired by this song. They should worry about real issues, rather than this song which sparks hirhurei teshuva in most of its listeners.
Our perception of good is not on the level of HaShem’s knowledge. The song was from our lesser point of view.
Please please please
Whatever side you take please do not get your hashkafas hachaim from a website no matter who the contributor is
This “protest” is laughable. The song is merely an expression of hope that things will be better from our perspective. Meaning that we will have more good in a recognizable way. Not dissimilar to the way we pray for “Chasadim Tovim” and wish eachother “Shana Tova U’Mesuka”.
My Congregants’ and I will continue to uplift ourselves through this tune and hopefully see Oid Yoter Tov along with all of Bnei Yisrael.
Rabbi Goldfund
Av Beis Din of the State of Alaska
Reb Shalom Arush is a massive Tzaddik, I personally know people he has helped again and again. He is so לשם שמים. if anyone ever read any of Reb Arush’s books he ALWAYS says how Everything, including difficulties, is really all good and the best for us and we need to thank Hashem for everything!!
All the song is saying is that because Hashem loves us and we know all He does is best for us, we can be sure that He can and hopefully will continue to give us more good and even better and better.
there is actually a real prohibition in singing pesukim. not sure the halachic leniency in doing so, but there is no problem in singing things that are not written tefillos/pesukim- on the contrary it avoids the above prohibition.
this has been so ridiculously blown out of proportion and has been taken so out of context.
Dikdukei aniyos at its best. People are really bored, sadly.
There’s a יצר הרע that is special to make controversy. There’s absolutely nothing wrong at all with saying “Hashem will only do me good!” – what can be wrong with that! and to call it כפירה?! – just unbelievable.
[And everyone quotes the חזון איש as if it’s a contradiction, however: 1) The song doesn’t say it’ll be the way I want it, it says it’ll be “טוב”, which is not necessarily “ערב”. Also, 2) See חזון איש אמונה ובטחון פ”ב אות ז.]
This “machoah” objection is pathetic/instigating/ignorant the whole chasidish world believes this way. Ever heard of the expression “Tracht gut vet zein gut” That is a famous saying from one of the Rebbes of chabad. The lubavitcher Rebbe explains this expression as follows, the fact alone that a person works on himself to believe and trust in Hashem that things will be for the best, that avoidah alone makes a person worthy of that good becoming a reality. This song fits perfectly with that message.
I need to think more about this particular issue and song, but in general, the fact that there are songs nowadays which are mixed up is indeed a problem, like a song that claims that every Yid is a big tzadik, that some people sing, which is something that is made up.
Why do people have to find issues with every stupid thing?!? This is a beautiful song being sung by religious and non religious bringing Achdus to am yisroel which is what we need in these hard times!!
Enough with this garbage, why do people have to find issues with every stupid thing in the world?!?! The answer is BOREDOM!!!! Kol tuv
Now sing out in unity ועוד יותר טוב….
I can’t criticize the complainers, because I myself also like to be jealous when I see someone really made a hit.
Excuse my sincere ignorance, maybe I have been living in a shell, but who is Rav Avrohom Deutsch? Is he an accepted gadol? I’ve only heard of him on this platform, irrelevant to another controversial topic, which was then reversed. Please enlighten me.
Veamcha kulam tzadikim
San hedging 90a
If you say תעשה רצונו יהיה יותר טוב that’s perfectly good but if you just say that it will be better without. that. you are denying that’s the best we’re receceiving for our decisions in free will that’s kfira
Wow! The issue in concern, that it does not coincide with the known shitah of Bitachon of the great Chazon ISH.
כבודו במקומו מונח
Most seforim of Bitachon do NOT agree with him.
Clearly, the Chovas ha’lvavos (שערי בטחון הקדמה, ועוד) and others.
Also, in regards to Sarah Imeinu’s acceptance of “all is good”. Of course, we all strive to reach and live such level of emunah, but yet, we simple people, who have not gained yet this level are sure not ‘Apikorsim’.
There are many worse songs that border Apikorsis.
(כגון :
‘אפילו בהסתר
The pre song has sort of a serious controversial statement in emunah)
Everyone needs to chill out. Enjoy the song. Move on with your day. Don’t deep it. Not everything is a crypto commentary on abstract theology. ‘OD YOTER TOV’ is hardly promoting the Eucharist.
Meanwhile, before I came to Israel, I always heads pop songs about unideal things that had the music kept but lyrics changed into something kosher which was then played at a Yeshivish or Chasidish wedding. I find that to be more controversial…
For those who speak Hebrew as a spoken language will understand that the song says:
Hashem Yitbarach always loves me.
אהבתי אתכם אמר השם
So far we’re ok.
In modern Hebrew,
ותמיד יהי’ לי רק טוב
Literally, “and always it will be unto me, only good.”
Is this speaking about objective truth? Maybe. More פשוטו של הדברים is that it says something else, in the spoken language used in Israel.
colloquially, this means,
“And I will always feel good.” It continues to say, “And I will feel [even] better.” This is not about objective absolutes. Its about how I will perceive Hashem’s relationship with me.
It is very clear from Shaar Habitachon, among other places, but we don’t need more than שער הבטון
that the more one trains oneself to live with bitachon more and more, until always living with it, the more one sees Hashem’s “hand” in what unfolds in life.
Needless to say, the person on this journey of growth witnesses and feels more and more good.
As the Rabbainu Bachaya promises, that a person who lives fully with bitachon will not experience any anxiety etc. עין שם
Story with the חפץ חיים:
At the end of a person stating his woes, he said, עס וועט זיין גוט – Things will be good.
Said the חפץ חיים to the man,
עס איז גוט, עס וועט זיין בעסער –
“It is good; it will be [even] better.”
אני ה’ לא שיניתי
“I Hashem did not change . . .”
Clearly the Chafetz Chaim was speaking from the perspective of how this man needs to think now. [Adding meaning following שער הבטחון – Seeing the good now makes one deserving of experiencing] in the future it will be even better.
As explained clearly in the footnotes of what was referred to above regrding the expression, Think good and it will be good. (לקו”ש) That is NOT referring to the cliche positive thinking. it is referring to what is written in Shaar Habitachon and also Sefer HaIkarim (plus) that the more one “works the mental muscle” of seeing what Hashem is doing is good, the more one, as a result, merits seeing even more good coming from Hashem. As above, שער הבטון does not need anyone’s defending it. Our studying it for almost one thousand years is all you need to know.
It should be noted, that these are great levels, BUT there are those who walk among us who do live this way. Not just R’ Sholom M Rubashkin. Not just Rabbi Mordechai Borg. There are people that many of us know. “So called ‘regular’ people” who – especially after living through dark, dark times, they now are living examples of Shaar Habitachon.
The main point is, this song does NOT contradict שער הבטחון. As stated: For almost one thousand years his sefer has been a basic staple of Jewish belief, and his Gate of Trust is surely the most studied probably for just as long. If there is another opinion, that does not have traction in this conversation. Klal Yisroel have not embraced another book of personal refinement, remotely close to חובות הלבבות ובה גופא, שער הבטחון.
And now, try going inward, instead of putting down others who are embracing Hashem in public – and it might be the only Jewish thing they proclaim in public, in many cases.
It’s a wonderful song that is uniting Jews across the spectrum and proclaiming love of Hashem and optimism.Why must some people always find fault and nit pick? Get a life. There are so many more important serious issue you should concern yourself with rather than a song that brings joy to millions.