Kiryat Yoel: Hgr"g Berkowitz admitted to hospital

Hagaon Rabbi Shalom Eliakim Getzel Berkowitz, Dayan of Kiryat Yoel - Monroe and author of the book 'Eglei Devash' was taken last night (Monday) to a Manhattan hospital after experiencing a stroke.

Harav Berkowitz is considered one of the most prominent rabbis of the Satmar community. He is the only Dayan still appointed by the Rebbe Divrei Yoel of Satmar zt"l, as a Dayan of the city of Kiryat Yoel. He is known for his extreme genius and everything that happens in the community or city is decided by him.

Since the story of the graves in Beit Shemesh exploded, Hgrsha"i was very upset about the matter. He strongly criticized the fact that talmidei chachomim are being degraded in public and ads are distributed against them, they are criticized in public, or fought against with shouting.

"One may disagree in an objective way. One could clarify the issue and discuss it by exchanging of letters between the rabbis, like every halachic issue. But the overflow of the issue into the public arena and the ugly struggle being played on top, is outrageous and should terrify everyone," Hgrsha"i said over and over again.

Rabbi Berkowitz also contacted several activists with different proposals, to try to bring peace between the warring parties, or at least lower the flames of this bubbling cauldron. This bothered him and engaged him much.

This morning, while sitting on in the instruction house in his home, he felt ill and collapsed. He lost consciousness and rescue personnel rushed him, as aforesaid, to the hospital in Manhattan, where he was diagnosed as having suffered a stroke.
Fortunately, Hgrsha"i regained consciousness shortly and opened his eyes. His condition, doctors said, is stable and reasonable. In case he will recover, Hgrsha"i is expected to return home within a few days.

The public is requested to pray for Rabbi Shalom Eliakim Getzel ben Devorah Hanna for refuah sheleima among other Jewish patients.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!