Tens of thousands of people came to Bnei Brak Tuesday to pay last respects to Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, a prominent haredi leader, advisor to the United Torah Judaism party, and dean of the Ponovezh Yeshiva.

Rabbi Edelstein was hospitalized over Shavuot due to a cardiac event and passed away Tuesday morning following a sudden and rapid deterioration of his condition. His death drew eulogies from many of Israel’s foremost officials and authorities, including President Herzog, Prime Minister Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and numerous other political and religious figures.

A special police operation was declared to bring hundreds of officers into Bnei Brak to direct and secure the funeral. The MDA and United Hatzalah have both moved significant numbers of medical personnel into the area to provide treatment if the need arises.
Social media footage of various transit hubs in Israel today showed waves of mourners making their way to Bnei Brak. A sign posted outside the Ponovezh Yeshiva instructed that all students are to rend their garments – a sign of mourning normally practiced only for first-degree relatives.