Family members and doctors caring for former Israel Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu are receiving special gifts in return for their devotion, the son of the elderly Torah Sage, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu said Thursday morning while describing the events of the past few days.

 

Rabbi Shmuel, who is the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, noted that this week in particular has been extremely difficult for the Rishon LeTzion, as his father is called.  The former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel had undergone open-heart surgery to save his life following complications that resulted during an angioplasty (heart catheterization procedure).

 

Rabbi Eliyahu has spent the past six months in Jerusalem's Shaare Tzedek hospital following a heart attack. Although he initially appeared to be recovering, his condition took a turn for the worse, requiring an extended stay.

 

"The Rabbi was saved from death a third time," his son said simply, explaining that during the procedure, something went badly wrong. He noted that doctors refused to drink water during the 18 hours that followed, during which the surgery took place, "other than to wet their lips. Truly mesirut nefesh (extraordinary self-sacrifice)."

 

Rabbi Shmuel added, "From moment to moment, and hour to hour, we see miracles and salvations. If all of the people of Israel unite it does something. It's a real prayer," he said in an interview with Arutz-7's Hebrew-language radio program Mitkonenim L'Geula (Preparing for the Redemption).  

 

"Six or seven times the doctor tried to get his heart back to working and it didn't," he continued. "Tens of thousands around the world started to pray for the Rabbi to recover and the heart suddenly started pumping. The doctors find themselves speechless."

 

He added that his father is still being kept asleep and that he is receiving help with his breathing as well.

 

The public is encouraged to continue praying for the Rabbi's speedy recovery and well-being. His Hebrew name for this purpose is Rav Mordechai Tzemach ben [son of] Mazal.