Rabbi Elyashiv Wakes Up, Is Responsive

By Haaretz February 20, 2012

Exactly two weeks after being hospitalized while unconscious and in critical condition, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, opened his eyes for the first time, it was reported on Sunday.

Rabbi Elyashiv was hospitalized in the emergency care unit at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem due to heart, lungs and kidney complications. Since his hospitalization, Elyashiv has been anesthetized and put on life support.

Those close to the Rabbi, who will turn 102 in one month, reported that he is responding to his surroundings, but that his condition is still “serious.”

On Friday, Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem started a criticized procedure of stopping his anesthesia. The rabbi opened his eyes for the first time on Saturday, and for much of the day on Sunday he was sitting up.

For more, go to haaretz.com

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