The condition of the leading rabbinic figure in the Lithuanian (non-Hasidic) Ashkenazi haredi community in Israel took a turn for the worse Tuesday.
Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, dean of the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak and the spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah party, suffered a major deterioration Tuesday morning, and is now listed in critical condition, relatives say.
The 100-year-old rabbi has been hospitalized at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak since the Shavuot holiday last week, after he began suffering from shortness of breath.
The rabbi’s relatives called on the public Tuesday to pray for his recovery.
A joint letter signed by prominent haredi rabbis also urged the public to pray on Rabbi Edelstein’s behalf.