Belzer Rebbe’s Health Declines, Prompting Global Call for Prayer

Overview

• The gabbai announced via the Kol Belz hotline that the Belzer Rebbe, Rav Yissachar Dov ben Miriam, is experiencing great weakness and asked chassidim to say Tehillim (Psalms) and give tzedakah (charity).
• The message, issued in Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach’s name, said the Rebbe will not appear for Maariv (evening prayers) or for Sefiras HaOmer (the nightly Omer count) in the main beis medrash in Kiryas Belz.
• Rav Aharon Mordechai is expected to lead Maariv at 10:00 p.m. in the main beis medrash, with the congregation to recite Tehillim afterward for the Rebbe’s recovery.
• Belzer communities around the world have organized joint prayer gatherings in response to the appeal for mercy on the Rebbe’s behalf.
• Over Shabbos, the Rebbe prayed with a small minyan at home rather than lead public tefillos or host tishen (festive gatherings), a shift that signals serious concern in Hasidic life.