While thousands will be gathering in Binyanei Ha’uma on Thursday night the eve of 7 Shevat 5773 for the Yahadut Hatorah pre-election kinos, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita is not expected to be present, due to health issues.

The Gadol’s physicians have released a statement to the media explaining the rav cannot be present due to his personal condition.

YWN-ISRAEL reported that HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita stopped to visit with R’ Auerbach recently to wish him a refuah shleima after recently undergoing a cauterization procedure. The tzibur is asked to be mispallel for שמואל בן חיה רבקה.

The announcement is particularly relevant in light of Rav Auerbach’s kol korei released to the media on Thursday morning, hours ahead of the kinos, instructing the chareidi tzibur to vote for Yahadut Hatorah. The announcement followed a meeting on Wednesday between R’ Auerbach and the Gerrer Rebbe Shlita.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)