Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai [Tzemach ben Mazel Tov] Eliyahu on Friday night suffered a major heart attack. He was rushed to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center complaining of substernal chest pain and dyspnea (difficulty breathing).

After a bypass procedure which lasted a number of hours, the Rishon L’Tzion was reported in serious/stable condition. Doctors also spoke of the Rav exhibiting signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema.

A midday hospital update indicated doctors were hoping the Rav would be taken out of the coronary intensive care unit sometime during the day.

Rav Eliyahu, 80, is considered the posek for the religious-Zionist stream, a Mekubal whose advise and piskei halacha are sought by many who visit his Kiryat Moshe shul daily.

A close aide to the Rav told reporters on Sunday morning that recent political events have taken a serious toll on the Rav’s health, including the terror attack that claimed eight innocent lives at Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva.

The Rav was also reigning chief rabbi alongside the late Rav Avraham Elkana Shapira, who died earlier this year. The two remained close colleagues over the years, championing many causes related to efforts towards a Greater Israel and opposing land concessions.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)