The following update is provided by Dr. Eli Susheim in an interview he granted to Kaf HaChashifut regarding the condition of Maran Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita.
In recent updates regarding the status of R’ Elyashiv, reports spoke of the gadol hador davening with a minyan on Shabbos, wearing a shtreimel and sitting in a lounge chair. According to Dr. Susheim, these reports are baseless unfortunately and simply inaccurate.
Dr. Susheim was asked to give a report on the gadol hador’s condition and if it is within the realm of reality to contemplate transferring the posek to his home.
An Overview of the Interview …
There is no improvement in the rav’s condition. It is out of the question. The rav cannot be transferred to his home and it is not possible to transfer all the medical equipment that would be necessary for such a move. The rav must remain in the Shaare Zedek Medical Center intensive care unit where is has been during recent weeks and months.
Q: We are told the rav’s condition has improved and he has even begun to speak
There is absolutely no basis for these reports. I have not merited seeing any special improvement. The fact that his condition remains stable, respirations, blood pressure, pulse and blood oxygenation are relatively stable due to the ongoing efforts by the hospital and this is good in its own right but to speak of a ‘significant improvement’ is far far off.
One must realize the rav is still on a respirator and usually completely anesthetized, non-responsive but there are hand movements, he opens his eyes but I haven’t merited hearing anything verbal communications during my visits.
We yearn and if only it were so, a drastic improvement, but this is not the case. I have not seen any such change. I was bothered to hear these reports when I know with absolute certainty that the reports are a far cry from reality and the facts concerning his case.
This has been the situation not for weeks or days, but for over two months, and we must realize his kidneys have ceased to function and the rav has dialysis three times weekly to cleanse his bloodstream of impurities.
Regarding his condition I would say that there is life, existence, but still requiring the full support of the medical staff which demands the intensive care unit environment.
There is no logic to speaking about bringing him home. This is simply unrealistic. He needs the ICU. This is simply not a possibility.
Q: Is the rav aware of his surroundings and the comings and goings around him?
I see him open his eyes but have not heard him speak or hear any verbal communication. It is possible that we would like to believe there is a level of internal awareness but this is not being manifest externally in the form of verbal communication or any other means signaling a conscious awareness.
Dr. Susheim emphasizes the need to continue tefilos for the posek hador, HaRav Yosef Sholom ben Chaya Musha b’soch kol cholei am yisrael.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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14 Responses
this is refreshing to read an honest medical opinion.
All too often there are instances wherein a gadol is incapacitated, but a small circle of supporters will hide the reality from the klal and continue to speak in his name and imply that this is his daas torah.
It is unfortunate that some may take advantage of an unfortunate situation, (with good intentions or otherwise) which would likely pain the gadol to know of, independent of the intentions of the supporters
Fortunately, due to the efforts of this website and the doctors, this won’t happen here.
I was there personally by that Minyan on Shabbos for Mincha when the Godol was ushered into the Bais Medresh on the eighth floor in Shari Tzedek hospital.
If you want proof, I will tell you first hand that they wanted to Lein but the Aron Kodesh was locked so they did not end up Leining.
I hope that the hospital is not trying to pull the plug on him and thats why they are denying any improvement.
May the Godol HaDor have a Refuah Shlemah and be home for Yom Tov.
.
חייבים להמשיך ולהעתיר בתפילה עבור פוסק הדור הגאון רבי יוסף שלום בן חיה מושא אלישיב לרפואה שלימה בתוך שאר חולי ישראל
How depressing! All of us were so overjoyed with the recent reports but alas it was not to be.
What I don’t understand is who was behind all the false reporting?!?
Chesssed,
1) why would the aron be locked?
2) are you saying that the rav sat there and didn’t insist that they find a way to unlock the door to the aron?
3)And that the Rav’s entourage didn’t expend every effort to make sure that there was a sefer for leining?
4)And that there was no way to get the aron unlocked so the rav could hear laying?
5) I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but something’s strange about your story, just sayin
Was he at the Shabbos minyan or not? How can the reports differ like this. #2 has good points.
He never said that the rav didn’t go to shul. The rav was asked where he wants to go and he respnded “shul”. They wheeled him there under medical supevision where the rav remained out side the shul. He was wearing a blanket and they borrowed a chossid( who was visiting his daughter’s streimel. The rav raised his head twice by kadosh. (based on interview with that chossid in thesha’ah tova)
The fact remains that his condition remains serious, but he has responded to commands and there was no total fabrication.
I’m not sure why some of the Rav’s followers would falsely claim his condition has improved or he has participated in davening or any other cognitive activity. The doctor who obviously must know the true condition candidly states that unfortunately some of his vital organs are shutting down and he is completely sedated 24×7. While not in a vegetative state and there is no need for any immediate decision on terminating life support, its clear he is not going to recover. We need to accept reality and not spread false and misleading information about the gadol hador.
ישלח דברו וירפאם
and also וימלט משחיתותם
Rav Chaim Stein Zatz”l would say this Posuk over and over again to save us from the great harm that could come from the doctors…
I was also there, and yes he did come to the minyan on shabbos. Why is this guy denying it?
And yes, he did speak. He said a few words last Thursday, and I spoke with the person he spoke too. Rav Hillel was also there. Why is this person lying? Obviously we have to Daven more, but there’s no sense in pretending he hasn’t been properly conscious to an audience out there who don’t know any better. Again, I was there.
Gagolhaorah: Has Hashem been secretly talking to you?
To Avi: No…just a doctor at the hospital, whose opinions and observations have more credibility than some posters who for unknown reasons, seem to be spreading misleading information. The doctor clearly said that the Rav’s kidneys have completely shut down and he is drugged and unresponsive virtually all the time. He did not say the condition was terminal or even immediately life-threatening but the long-term prognosis is obvious. We know that other leaders of EY (including a former PM) have survived under such conditions for years.
Gadolhadora: since by your own admission a you are gadol you probably know the gemorah that say “Afilu cherev munachas al tzavora….”