Translated and excerpted from a December 1, 2021, article by Hezki Baruch in Arutz Sheva

Aharon Yehuda Matos, age 90, was privileged to light the fourth Hanukkah candle on Wednesday evening at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem, together with his oncologist Prof. Aron Popovtzer, director of Hadassah’s Sharett Institute of Oncology.

Born in a small town in Romania, Matos studied civil engineering and started a family. After years of refusal by the Romanian authorities to allow the family to emigrate to Israel, they finally succeeded.

Matos is now being treated successfully for cancer with a unique method of radiation that directs the beams onto the tumor itself. Despite his illness, Matos continues to work every morning in the family pharmacy, assisting with whatever is needed. According to his family, he never complains.

“Hanukkah is very significant when you get to know Aharon and his family,” commented Prof. Popovtzer at the candle lighting. “We are privileged to witness his determination and perseverance in choosing life and to see the unwavering support of his family. I wish Aharon and all our other patients complete healing.”

Aharon’s son, Barty Mathos, who accompanied his father and mother, Shoshana, to the ceremony, told the audience, “Prof. Popovtzer is a symbol and role model not only for professionalism and thinking outside the box but also for exceptional modesty and humility, which led to my father’s successful care. I thank all the staff at Hadassah, and I wish each of the patients at Hadassah the same miracle that happened to my father.”