Top national religious rabbi Chaim Druckman hospitalized due to heart failure

Spiritual leader of yeshiva and religious Zionism party said to be doing better after overnight treatment; lawmakers call on public to pray for 88-year-old’s health

By ToI Staff 15 April 2021, 2:49 pm

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Rabbi Chaim Druckman attends the campaign launch of the right-wing Yamina party, ahead of the Israeli general elections, February 12, 2020. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

Prominent national religious rabbi Chaim Druckman was hospitalized Wednesday evening due to heart failure.

Druckman, 88, who serves as head of the Ohr Etzion Yeshiva and head of the Center for Bnei Akiva Yeshivot, is also the spiritual leader of the Religious Zionism party and played a central role in the far-right faction’s recent election campaign.

Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich called on the public to pray for Druckman’s health on Thursday.

“On this day, we are all praying for the healing of Rabbi Chaim Meir son of Milka Druckman, whose life’s work is woven into the resurrection of the people of Israel and the State of Israel,” Smotrich tweeted.

Also sending well-wishes were Orit Strock from the Religious Zionism party and Ayelet Shaked of the Yamina party, among others.

The rabbi’s associates told Hebrew media that Druckman’s condition had stabilized since Wednesday night, when the 88-year-old arrived at the hospital experiencing shortness of breath.