Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
Rabbi Ovadia YosefIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Former Chief Rabbi and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was back in the hospital on Sunday, after complaining about pains in his back. This is the third time in recent weeks that he has been rushed to the hospital after suffering pains, with the most recent incident just last weekend.

Sources close to the rabbi said that doctors realize that he needs an operation on his back, but are hesitant to operate due to his advanced age. With this latest hospitalization, the sources said they expect the operation to take place in the coming days.

Rabbi Yosef fell while walking in a corridor in his home several weeks ago, and apparently injured himself. He was taken to hospital for treatment and released, with doctors saying he was in good shape. Last Sunday, Rabbi Yosef was taken to hospital again for treatment, after complaining about pains over Shabbat.

The pains have been increasing in the past several days, and the latest x-rays revealed the cause: Rabbi Yosef is suffering from a broken or fractured spinal cord ring in his lower back, a condition that usually requires surgery. The operation is likely to take place in the coming days, the sources said.