Ultra-Orthodox students praying for Elyashiv's health Tuesday, a few months prior to his death (photo credit:Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, leader of the Lithuanian Haredi community, was in serious but stable condition on Tuesday, Israel Radio reported.
The nearly 102 year-old Elyashiv was hospitalized two days ago at Sha’are Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem for heart failure and fluids in his lungs.
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, right, with President Shimon Peres on in 2009.(photo credit: Yosef Avi Yair Angel / POOL /Flash90)
According to the radio station, President Shimon Peres conveyed his well-wishes to Elyashiv, saying that all of Israel is following the rabbi’s condition and that he is praying for his recovery.
Knesset Member and United Torah Judaism party member Moshe Gafni paid the respected rabbi a visit in the Sha’are Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem, and has asked everyone for their prayers as the religious luminary’s health condition is weak and is not improving.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a call to MK Gafni to relay his sorrow for the state of the leader, and asked that the rabbi know the entire nation is praying and hoping for his full recovery.
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The rabbi is surrounded by family and hundreds of his students, and prayer sessions are being held across the country in a bid for his recovery, Haredi website Kikar Shabbat reported.
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