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The Chief Rabbi of the city of Tiberias, Rabbi David Peretz, passed away on Friday evening, about half an hour after the start of Shabbat. He was 84.

Sources close to him said that Rabbi Peretz had suffered from poor health recently and that his medical condition deteriorated on Friday evening. Paramedics were summoned to his home at the start of Shabbat, but he passed away shortly thereafter.

Rabbi Peretz served as the Sephardic rabbi of Tiberias for 40 years. As part of his role he was responsible for religious services in the area of Tiberias and despite his age, he even taught Torah lessons.

He is survived by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.