Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv in critical condition

Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv remained in critical condition in Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem on Tuesday, as the ultra-Orthodox community continued to pray for a miracle to save the 101-year-old rabbi.

The rabbi, revered as the foremost Ashkenazi Halachic (Jewish law) authority both in Israel and abroad, has been in poor health for months. His condition recently took a turn for the worse and he was rushed to the hospital on Sunday after reportedly feeling short of breath and experiencing a drop in blood pressure.

Elyashiv is being treated in the hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit and on Tuesday was listed in serious but stable condition. According to reports, the elderly rabbi was sedated and placed on a respirator upon his arrival at the hospital.

Some of the rabbi’s associates feared for Elyashiv’s life. Rabbi Benjamin Fisher, founder and chairman of the non-profit organization “Magen Lacholeh” (“Protector of the Sick”), visited Elyashiv on Monday, saying that the likelihood that Elyashiv would make a full recovery was minimal.

“Despite his advanced age, the rabbi has proven before that he defies statistics. We are praying for a miracle. If his condition continues to improve, there is even a chance he will return home,” he said, trying to remain optimistic.

Throughout the day on Tuesday, family members, rabbis and public figures flocked to the hospital to visit Elyashiv, considered by many in the religious world as the “posek ha’dor” (leading Halachic authority of this generation).

President Shimon Peres called MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) and said “the entire nation is anxious over this religious leader’s health.” Peres said he had said a special prayer for Elyashiv’s recovery.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat visited the hospital on Tuesday, saying “all of Jerusalem is praying for the rabbi’s health.”

On Tuesday, ultra-Orthodox rabbis instructed yeshivas to spend a good part of the day reciting special prayers for Elyashiv. Throughout Israel, especially in the larger yeshivas, thousands of students prayed together for the revered rabbi.

At the Lederman synagogue in Bnei Brak - headed by Elyashiv’s son-in-law, Rabbi Haim Kanievsky - hundreds of ultra-Orthodox men gathered to pray. In October of last year, the same community mourned the passing of Kanievsky’s wife - Elyashiv’s daughter - Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky. The rebbetzin was considered prominent in her own right, with devotees in recent years calling her “the first female rabbi.” Those close to the elderly Elyashiv decided not to inform him that his beloved daughter had passed away, due to his weakened condition.

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