Prayers are being recited around the world for the recovery of Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman, the leader of the Lithuanian stream of Orthodox Jewry, who was readmitted to Mayanei Yeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak late Tuesday.
Professor Moti Ravid told Kol B’Rama Radio on Wednesday the elderly rabbi has lost consciousness and that his condition has become “very serious.” The radio station has joined other Jewish stations around the world in reciting tehillim (psalms), as are yeshivot and other Jewish schools.
Later in the day, Professor Eliyahu Sorkin told reporters the rabbi’s condition had stabilized and that the rabbi was “in no immediate danger.” Sorkin is the chief of Mayanei Yeshua’s Intensive Care Unit.
“He still has a problem with one of his kidneys, and we’re trying to find a solution,” said Sorkin. “I don’t believe he is in any immediate danger. But I don’t know what his condition will be tomorrow, and I can’t even be sure how it will be an hour from now. But his condition has stabilized a bit.”
The rabbi was moved to the Intensive Care Unit after his condition began to deteriorate Wednesday. Doctors said Rabbi Shteinman was not informed of the sudden passing of his eldest daughter, age 72, wife of Rabbi Zev Berlin, dean of Yeshiva Gaon Yaakov. Rebetzin Rochel Devorah Berlin, z’l, died Wednesday morning of cardiac arrest. She was laid to rest Wednesday at the local cemetery in Bnei Brak.
Knesset Members, parliamentary aides and other staff members recited prayers for the 103-year-old Torah sage at the Parliament building in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Shteinman was released from Mayanei Yeshua Hospital on November 5 after a prior stay for treatment due to weakness and a fever. He returned this week for outpatient testing, and then readmission Tuesday night.
The public has been asked to pray for Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib ben Gitel Feiga b’toch cholei Yisroel.