A Father's Heartbreaking Tribute to His Son: A Call for Unity

What began as a family outing during school break ended in unimaginable tragedy for Rabbi David Chabova, head of Kollel Chafetz Chaim in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

On January 17 2026,  a falling tree claimed the life of his 12-year-old son, Michael Mordechai, leaving a family and an entire community grieving. Yet amid the pain, Rabbi Chabova has shared a message of faith, unity, and spiritual awakening that has touched Jews around the world.

A Tragic Day at a Family Campout

The incident occurred during a family camping trip at the start of the winter break.

"We were sitting under the trees eating, and afterward the children went to play," Rabbi Chabova recalled. "I was speaking on the phone with a family member when suddenly I heard a loud crash."

A tree had fallen just a few feet behind him.

Turning around, he immediately looked for Michael, who had been standing in that area moments earlier.

"I called out to him, asking if he was okay, but he didn't answer."

Emergency responders rushed to the scene and fought to save the boy's life. Michael was taken to the hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery, but despite every effort, he passed away several hours later.

A Community Comes Together

Rabbi Chabova has led Kollel Chafetz Chaim in Buenos Aires for many years and is a respected figure in Argentina's Torah community.

In the days that followed the tragedy, he witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of support.

"People didn't come just to fulfill an obligation," he said. "They came again and again, sat with us, cried with us, and told us, 'We are with you and want to help in any way we can.'"

Calls poured in from around the world. Friends, students, and complete strangers reached out to offer comfort and strength.

"The pain is immense," Rabbi Chabova admitted, "but the feeling that we are surrounded and not alone gives us tremendous strength."

Rabbi David Chabova, head of Kollel Chafetz Chaim in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Seven Hours of Prayer

One detail remains especially meaningful to him.

Michael's passing was not declared immediately, and for seven hours the family was able to pray for his recovery.

"We thank Hashem for those seven hours," Rabbi Chabova said. "They were seven hours of true closeness to Hashem."

During those difficult hours, communities throughout Argentina, Israel, and beyond recited Tehillim on Michael's behalf.

Many people who had never met the boy took on personal commitments in his merit. Some began putting on tefillin. Others strengthened their observance or committed themselves to personal spiritual growth.

"In moments like these, you see the true soul of the Jewish people," Rabbi Chabova reflected. "Everyone unites for one purpose."

The Boy Who Loved Torah

As the family sat shiva, Rabbi Chabova found himself thinking about Michael's love for Torah learning.

Just before the camping trip, Michael had asked his father to learn Gemara with him in preparation for his upcoming bar mitzvah.

"He wanted to complete an entire tractate before his bar mitzvah," Rabbi Chabova recalled. "We were learning a particularly difficult page, and I kept stopping to ask if he understood. Every time he answered, 'Yes, yes.'"

Michael's sharp mind was well known among his classmates. Friends later told the family that he was always helping others understand the material being studied in class.

But his kindness extended far beyond learning.

At home, he was always eager to help and was especially devoted to guiding his younger siblings with warmth and patience.

A Note From a Pure Soul

After shiva, the family discovered a note Michael had written and placed inside the Chanukah menorah months earlier.

As part of a family custom, each child had written down hopes and prayers for the coming year.

Michael's note offered a glimpse into what mattered most to him.

He prayed to succeed in learning Gemara, to become a talmid chacham, for the Jewish people to be blessed with wise children, for those far from Torah to return, for the redemption to come speedily, and for the entire nation of Israel to flourish.

"This is what was important to a 12-year-old boy," Rabbi Chabova said through tears. "We always knew he was special, but now we understand even more clearly what a great soul he truly was."

"Learn Gemara With Hashem"

Many people have asked Rabbi Chabova how he finds the strength to continue.

His answer is rooted in faith.

"We believe wholeheartedly that Hashem chose us to go through this experience, and that He did so out of love," he said.

Standing beside his son's grave, he found comfort in a teaching from the Zohar that describes Hashem teaching Torah to the children of the Beit Rabban.

So he spoke directly to Michael.

"You loved learning Gemara so much," he told him. "Now learn Gemara with Hashem Himself."

Michael Chabova z"l

A Call for Unity

Despite his grief, Rabbi Chabova hopes that Michael's memory will inspire greater unity among the Jewish people.

"We are brothers," he said. "It is okay to have different opinions, but we must continue to respect and love one another."

From Buenos Aires, he issued a heartfelt plea to Jews everywhere to set aside division and remember the bonds that connect them.

"When there is a crisis, we know how to unite," he said. "The challenge is to continue loving one another even during ordinary times."

For Rabbi Chabova, that may be one of the greatest ways to honor the memory of Michael Mordechai ben David—a young boy whose love for Torah, kindness, and purity of heart left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.