Tiberias rabbi speaks for the first time since being hospitalized

Rabbi Chizkiyahu Dov HaKohen Kook of Tiberias spoke a few words today for the first time since he was hospitalized about six weeks ago in intensive care at North Medical Center, also known as Poriya, after a severe pneumonia infection. The update from the hospital was described as encouraging.

At the start of this week, he was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation hospital in central Israel, and since then doctors and family members have seen gradual improvement. In recent days, he has spoken a few words, been weaned off a ventilator, his eyesight has sharpened, and he is able to express his wishes.

Those close to him said speaking is still difficult, so they avoid asking him to talk in order not to burden him. Even so, they said the ability to say several words is a meaningful and moving sign of recovery. During the day, he was also asked to respond to several suggestions, rejected some of them, and eventually agreed to have Mishnayot read to him.

His father-in-law, Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, visited him during the day, and the family said the meeting was uplifting. Speaking to B'Chadrei Charedim, a close associate said, “This gives encouragement and strength to the public. We can see clearly that prayers work, and we must not stop for a moment.” A few weeks ago, on the instruction of Rabbi Dan Segal and with Zilberstein’s blessing, the additional name “Chizkiyahu” was added because of his serious medical condition. The public is being asked to continue praying for the complete recovery of Rabbi Chizkiyahu Dov HaKohen ben Shoshana.