At 32: Rabbi Yaakov Farber, a leader in integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF, has passed away
The founder of the "Maalot Tzur" project for integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF has passed away after battling a serious illness. Rabbi Farber, a father of five, acted on behalf of his rabbis to create adapted service tracks while maintaining a Torah-observant lifestyle. "If people want to get along — it is possible to get along," he often said.
At the age of only 32, Rabbi Yaakov Aaron Farber, one of the leaders of integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF in recent years, passed away last night (between Sunday and Monday). Rabbi Farber, a father of five from Givat Ze'ev, had been battling cancer in recent years, and the sad news of his passing arrived today.
Rabbi Farber was the founder of the "Maalot Tzur" project — a unique track for integrating military service for the ultra-Orthodox public, while fully maintaining a Torah-observant lifestyle. He began his public activity several years ago, acting on a mission he received from his rabbi, the Admor of Belz, and from Rabbi David Leibl.
Following October 7, Rabbi Farber turned to examine solutions that combine the needs of the army and the economy with the unique needs of the ultra-Orthodox public. He worked to bridge the gaps with military officials and the Ministry of Labor, and insisted that the programs include completely adapted conditions: from exemption from wearing uniforms to Mehadrin-level kosher food and Torah classes.
In interviews, he always emphasized the importance of consulting with rabbis and obeying the opinion of the Torah, alongside the willingness to find a common path:
"If people want to get along — it is possible to get along. You just need to want to. For everything, one can find a way to bridge the gaps, if one understands the other."
The programs he led and brought to fruition trained dozens of ultra-Orthodox service members in the fields of engineering and technology, while strictly maintaining their spiritual character and ensuring their economic future.
In the last months of his life, protesters from the "Jerusalem Faction" arrived at his home several times and demonstrated against him following his vigorous activity for the integration of ultra-Orthodox Jews into military service.
