On the streets of Jerusalem, in bustling wedding halls, and across social media, a catchy tune has taken Israel's Orthodox Jewish community by storm. Its simple lyrics proclaim "God always loves me, and things will always get better and better."
But this seemingly innocent message has ignited a fierce theological debate that cuts to the heart of Jewish faith and tradition.
The song, known as "Always Loves Me" or "Even Better," has become the unlikely center of a controversy that pits two prominent rabbis against each other and raises questions about how ancient faith should be expressed in modern times.
"It's become the anthem of everyone," says Rabbi Shalom Arush, a well-known religious leader whose teachings inspired the song. In his view, the viral hit is a triumph – a simple expression of the unwavering faith he's spent years teaching. "From the smallest children to the elderly, everyone is singing these words of faith," he beams, seeing the song's popularity as divine providence in action.
But not everyone shares his enthusiasm.
Rabbi Avraham Deutsch, a respected authority in Jewish law, sees something far more troubling in those catchy lyrics. In a recently published religious text, he takes the extraordinary step of labeling the song as potential "heresy" – fighting words in the Orthodox Jewish world.
At the heart of this dispute lies a profound theological question: When bad things happen, what's the proper religious response?
Rabbi Deutsch argues that traditional Jewish faith teaches that whatever God does is already the absolute best possible outcome – even if it feels painful in the moment. Therefore, he contends, singing about things getting "better and better" implies that God's current actions aren't already perfect. He cites the renowned Chofetz Chaim, a 19th-century sage, who taught that while one might acknowledge something as bitter, calling it "bad" questions God's perfect wisdom.
The controversy has reached such a pitch that some religious schools have banned the song entirely. Yet at Orthodox weddings across Israel, young people continue to dance to its infectious melody, many unaware of the theological storm it has unleashed.
This dispute reflects a larger tension in Orthodox Jewish life: How should ancient faith adapt to modern forms of expression? While Rabbi Arush sees the song as a valuable way to spread religious messages in contemporary language, critics like newspaper editor Israel Grubeis worry that complex theological concepts are being oversimplified into "bumper sticker" philosophy.
"We live in an age of advertising," Grubeis writes, "where everyone thinks in slogans. But when it comes to matters of faith, maybe we need to put down the guitar and open the books."
The debate has particular resonance in today's Israel, where faith and resilience are being tested by war and uncertainty. For many, the song's message of divine love and optimism provides comfort in difficult times. Rabbi Arush points to this explicitly, noting how the song has become especially meaningful during the current conflict.
Yet the controversy continues to simmer, with both sides citing centuries of Jewish texts to support their positions.
Meanwhile, in Jewish neighborhoods across Israel, the melody plays on – a reminder that even the simplest songs can spark the deepest debates.
For non-Jewish readers, this controversy might seem surprising over what appears to be an uplifting religious song. But in a tradition where words and their precise meanings have been studied and debated for millennia, even a popular tune can become the subject of serious theological discussion. It's a vivid example of how Jewish tradition continues to deal with the challenge of balancing preservation of ancient wisdom and adaptation to modern times.
Behadrei Haredim contributed to this article.
