Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv
Rabbi Yosef Shalom ElyashivIsrael news photo: courtesy of Beit HaShalom

The medical condition of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, the leader of the Lithuania hareidi religious community who is one of Israel's greatest Torahs scholars, continues to deteriorate, it was reported on Thursday.

According to the reports by doctors in the Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem, where the 101-year-old rabbi has been hospitalized since February 6, Rabbi Elyashiv is suffering from pain and high fever while under sedation and respiration. Doctors are also trying to deal with water on his lungs and a blood infection.

Rabbi Elyashiv was attached to a breathing machine on Wednesday, after several days when he was able to breathe on his own, leading to hopes from family members that he might be able to celebrate the Purim festival at home next week. Those hopes were dashed as his condition deteriorated.

A spokesman for Rabbi Elyashiv, Shlomo Kook, told Arutz Sheva on Thursday evening, “The condition of Rav Elyashiv continues to be very serious. Doctors have found an infection in his blood.”

Kook added, “The family asks that the public continue to pray for Rabbi Yosef Shalom ben Chaya Musha.”