Former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, the Rishon L'Tzion, remains in serious condition on Tuesday morning, following a long, open-heart operation late on Monday night. Doctors at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem said that the rabbi's condition has stabilized since the surgery, but he remains unconscious and on a ventilator. He will remain unconscious for the next three days, as doctors closely monitor his situation.
Rabbi Eliyahu underwent open-heart surgery Monday night as a result of complications arising from an earlier catheterization. The rabbi, who is regarded by many as a spiritual leader of religious Zionism, has been hospitalized since suffering a heart attack in April of this year. He has been in the intensive care unit for six months, when his condition took a turn for the worse, leading to an extended hospital stay.
Late last night, as the surgery began, hundreds of well-wishers converged on the Western Wall (the Kotel) in Jerusalem's Old City for prayers on behalf of Rabbi Eliyahu. The rabbi's son, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, and Rabbi Yaakov Ades took part in the prayers. Communal prayers for his health were also held in the synagogue the rabbi regularly attends in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood of the capital and elsewhere.
Earlier this month, thousands joined in prayer for Rabbi Eliyahu outside the hospital. At the time, a message from the rabbi was broadcast to the crowd via large-screen closed-circuit television.
“I thank the public for their interest in my condition,” said Rabbi Eliyahu, “and I also thank the nation for praying to G-d, and G-d hears their prayers. Thank G-d, I am on the way to being as I was before. G-d should bless the crowd, the entire public, and all those who are listening, G-d bless all of them in the land of Israel and outside the land, and may all have a good year, and bless you.”
For those wishing to pray for the rabbi, his Hebrew name is Mordechai Tzemach ben ("son of") Mazal Tov.