Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Rabbi Eliyahu recovering after heart attack
Jerusalem hospital reports of improvement in former chief rabbi's condition following bypass operation
An improvement has been noted in the condition of former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem reported Sunday morning. The rabbi, who suffered a heart attack Friday night, is recovering from a bypass operation to his doctors satisfaction.
Rabbi Eliyahu was evacuated to the Jerusalem hospital on Friday might after suffering a heart attack. During the Passover holiday, he underwent a catheterization followed by a successful bypass operation.
A hospital source defined the rabbi's condition as "good" and estimated that he would be released from the intensive care unit during the day. The rabbi's followers continue to pray for his good health.
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Throughout the holiday, rumors on the rabbi's condition were spread in religious populations in the capitals, and worshippers began praying for his health at local synagogues.
Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar told Ynet on Saturday evening that he had yet to talk to Eliyahu's family members, but expressed his wishes for a speedy and full recovery. "My God give him, a speedy recovery."
Several months ago, the rabbi underwent surgery in his eye and did not leave his house for a long time after the operation. He recently went back to pray at the Heichal Yaakov synagogue in Jerusalem's Kiryat Moshe neighborhood, and attended the funeral for the eight students murdered in the terror attack at the Merkaz Harav yeshiva, but did not deliver an oration due to his condition.
Every Monday, Rabbi Eliyahu delivers a weekly lesson on the Bible portion of the week, which is transmitted via satellite to tens of thousands of spectators in Israel and worldwide.
