Rabbi Elyashiv
Rabbi ElyashivArutz Sheva photo: Flash 90

Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, leader of the Lithuanian stream of hareidi-religious Jewry, is undergoing a critical treatment at Shaarei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem.

Doctors decided to conduct the procedure despite Rabbi Elyashiv’s extremely delicate condition, ruling that to carry out the operation would be less risky than to avoid it. The treatment aims to improve the rabbi’s kidney function.

Special prayer rallies were held across the country calling for the success of the complex procedure.

“The great rabbis of Israel and members of Rabbi Elyashiv’s family have called to tear down the gates of heaven [with prayers] for this to succeed,” said spokesman Shlomo Kook. “The doctors say the situation is nearly critical.”

Rabbi Elyashiv, 102, was hospitalized in intensive care one month ago. Since then, his condition has alternately improved and deteriorated.