Praying for Rabbi Ovadia
Praying for Rabbi OvadiaFlash 90

Special prayers were held throughout Israel for the recovery of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the great Torah sage and decisor who was also a former Chief Rabbi and the spiritual leader of the Shas party.

According to Kol Chai Radio, numerous yeshivas stopped all lessons and instead were instead praying for the rabbi and reciting Psalms, including Lithuanian yeshivas such as Yeshivat Hevron. Prayers were also being held at the graves of tzaddikim (righteous holy men) at cemeteries. Ponevesh Yeshiva also reportedly stopped all learning, as did numerous girls' schools. The Admor of Belz called for sounding Shabat sirens to call for prayer.

Special prayers were also held at yeshivas and shuls in Beit El, Ofakim, Ramat Beit Shemesh, Kever Rachel, Modiin, Kfar Saba, Kiryat Ata, and at Har Hamenuchot, as well as other places.

In some places the shofar is being blown and the 13 Attributes of G-d's mercy are being recited.

Thousands of children were expected to come to the Kotel (Western Wall) and pray for the rabbi, and prayers were held at the graves of Hachida and Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, as well as at the grave of Rabbi Ovadia's wife.

President Shimon Peres visited the rabbi's bedside Monday, kissed him and took part in prayers for his recovery.

Prayers for the rabbi's health at Har Nof: