Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu (the Rishon L'Tzion) has been released each day of Chanukah from a Jerusalem hospital for a few hours to light the menorah at his home. Travelling by ambulance, the rabbi lights his menorah and then returns. Almost 100 people wait outside of his home in Jerusalem’s Kiryat Moshe neighborhood to greet him when he arrives for candle lighting.
Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu was temporarily released from Jerusalem's Sha'arei Tzedek hospital nearly two weeks ago. The rabbi has been hospitalized for eight months, many of which he spent in serious condition.
Two weeks ago, Rabbi Eliyahu made use of his time away from the hospital to travel to Bethlehem and pray at Rachel's Tomb (Kever Rachel). He prayed for the people of Israel and for rain, of which Israel is in dire need.
Rabbi Shmuel Za'afrani, Rabbi Eliyahu's personal aide, said the rabbi was in good condition. “The rabbi's condition has improved, in merit of the public's many prayers,” he said. A nurse accompanied the rabbi to his home to visit his family. “The rabbi felt a need to return home and be with his family, even for just a short time,” his aides explained.
Rabbi Eliyahu underwent open-heart surgery nearly two months ago. He has continued to bless the public from his hospital bed. His followers have organized several prayer sessions on his behalf and continue to pray for his recovery.