It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Azriel Aharonovitz zt”l, rov of the Maor Tikvah community in Ganei Tikvah and one of the prominent chassidim of Alexander. He was 65 years old.
Rav Aharonovitz dedicated his life to drawing Jews closer to Torah and avodas Hashem. A scion of generations of Alexander chassidim, he was a man of halacha, influence, and compassion, an inspiring marbitz Torah, who lovingly guided thousands with wisdom and warmth. As the spiritual leader of Maor Tikvah in Ganei Tikvah, he raised many talmidim and inspired neshamos who grew under his radiant heart and teaching.
He maintained a deep and unwavering connection to the admorim of Alexander, faithfully devoted to them throughout his life. In his own kehillah, he gave regular shiurim and was mekarev levavos.
Rav Aharonovitz was recognized as one of the foremost figures in the teshuvah movement in central Israel. He shared a close personal bond with his neighbor, the Sassover Rebbe of Kiryas Yismach Moshe.
He is survived by his children and numerous grandchildren who continue his legacy.
The levayah was held last night at the Maor Tikvah shul on Har Nevo Street in Ganei Tikvah, proceeding to the Segulah Beis HaChaim in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}
A Washington Post report released Sunday disclosed the entirety of a U.S.-sponsored plan aimed at halting the war in Gaza, shedding new light on the Trump administration’s blueprint for a ceasefire, future leadership, and reconstruction of the territory.
The newspaper obtained a three-page, 21-point document and confirmed its authenticity with two foreign governments that had been briefed on the proposal.
As described earlier by The Jerusalem Post, the plan calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of the 20 hostages still alive along with the remains of 28 others within two days of the deal taking effect, and the dismantling of Hamas’s offensive arsenal. It also promises political concessions, such as amnesty and foreign relocation for Hamas members who surrender their weapons, and even hints at the possibility of Palestinian statehood if governance reforms are carried out.
Neither Hamas nor Israel has signed on to the terms so far. According to The Washington Post, the proposal was shared last week with regional leaders and allied nations during meetings alongside the UN General Assembly.
Representatives of Hamas told Reuters that they have not yet received the plan.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to press Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to endorse the framework when the two meet Monday at the White House.
Beyond the demand for a swift return of hostages, the proposal also includes provisions for ramping up humanitarian supplies and restoring Gaza’s essential services.
The plan does not list an exact schedule for the later stages. It does, however, call for phased prisoner exchanges and the establishment of temporary administrative bodies.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump said: “I think we maybe have a deal on Gaza. We’re very close. I think it’s a deal that will get the hostages back. It’s going to be a deal that will end the war.”
The draft guarantees that no resident of Gaza would be expelled. Those choosing to leave would retain the option of returning. To jumpstart recovery, it outlines a “Trump economic development plan” designed to rebuild and “energize” Gaza’s economy.
A senior Middle Eastern official told The Washington Post: “Nothing is finalized. These are broad strokes. There are still things that need to be ironed out.”
Once the hostages are released, Israel would free 250 inmates serving life terms along with 1,700 Palestinians arrested since October 7. The deal also suggests an arrangement for exchanging remains, under which Israel would transfer 15 Palestinian bodies for every set of Israeli hostage remains.
Internationally supervised humanitarian shipments would cover repairs to electricity, water, sewage, and key facilities, including hospitals and bakeries. Clearing away debris to reopen roads is also included, though the plan does not indicate who would fund or manage the rebuilding.
For governance, the framework calls for an interim authority made up of experienced Palestinians alongside international specialists. This body would function under a U.S.-led oversight mechanism until the Palestinian Authority is reorganized and deemed ready to resume control.
To ensure stability, the proposal envisions an International Stabilization Force with soldiers from Arab and international allies. This contingent would be responsible for security while local Palestinian forces receive training.
Israeli forces would gradually step back, initially keeping only a “perimeter presence” until their full departure is completed.
The Washington Post reported that several Arab nations have tentatively expressed willingness to participate in such a force, though further discussions will be required before any pledges are finalized.
Trump has become increasingly irritated with Netanyahu, particularly after an Israeli strike in Qatar earlier this month killed Hamas representatives reviewing an earlier U.S. draft. The new version includes added guarantees, such as Israel promising not to annex Gaza or attack Qatar, while underlining Qatar’s role in facilitating negotiations.
Nevertheless, Netanyahu made no mention of any potential deal during his address to the UN on Friday. Instead, he concentrated on the October 7 massacre, in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered and 250 taken hostage.
The section most likely to stir debate addresses future political outcomes. The final phase of the proposal suggests that after rebuilding and political reform, a “credible pathway to Palestinian statehood” could be on the table.
According to The Washington Post, Washington would convene dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians to establish “a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.”
Netanyahu, in his UN remarks, rejected any such move toward Palestinian sovereignty. He warned that Israel would never allow outsiders to “shove a terror state down our throats,” and firmly dismissed the idea of the Palestinian Authority returning to govern Gaza.
{Matzav.com}
Israel’s Chief Rabbis have issued a forceful appeal urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles, after a spike in infections and several tragic fatalities linked to the disease.
In a public letter, the Chief Rabbis stressed that “Torah commands us to do everything possible to protect ourselves and our health,” invoking the verse, “You shall greatly safeguard your lives,” as a binding halachic basis for immunization.
They further wrote, “The responsibility for caring for our body and soul rests upon the individual. This applies both to treatment when necessary and during illness, and to preventive care.”
The call was released in the wake of measles outbreaks within chareidi neighborhoods in and around Yerushalayim. Since last week, four toddlers between the ages of one and two have succumbed to the illness. Among them, only one child had received any immunization, a young girl who contracted the virus before she was old enough to receive the measles shot. The other three had not been vaccinated at all.
By issuing this letter, the Chief Rabbinate made it clear that vaccination is not merely permissible but a religious obligation, underscoring that safeguarding health is a Torah mandate. The directive was particularly aimed at communities where reluctance to vaccinate has persisted due to religious or ideological concerns.
At the same time, the Health Ministry reiterated its warnings that measles continues to spread and pressed the public to vaccinate, focusing especially on children and populations with low coverage.
{Matzav.com Israel}