In recent days there has been an improvement in the condition of the President of the Council of Torah Sages, the gaon Rabbi Rafael Shimon Badani shlit"a. After twelve days in which he was sedated and on a ventilator, today he awoke.

The grandson and gabbai of The Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a—R’ Dov Zucker—shares in an interview with the information and shiurim hotline his impressions from the visit last week to the room of Rabbi Rafael Shimon ben Chavivah Badani shlit"a, who has been hospitalized for close to a month at Ma’ayanei HaYeshuah Hospital:

“First of all, we must give thanks and praise. We are now speaking at a stage where, thank G‑d, Rabbi Badani has awakened, and we must pray for his recovery—Rabbi Rafael Shimon ben Chavivah. “Indeed, The Rav visited him on Thursday in the late afternoon, toward evening. The strong bond between The Rav and Rabbi Badani has been known for several years—because throughout all the persecutions, Rabbi Badani stood like an unshakable rock and continued coming to visit The Rav. “When Rabbi Berland shlit"a heard about two weeks ago that Rabbi Badani was sedated and on a ventilator in serious condition, he expressed his desire to go visit him. At that stage, Rabbi Badani had been diagnosed with coronavirus, and it was not possible to enter the ward. Even so, there was discussion that Rabbi Berland shlit"a would come and stand as close as possible, near his room. “It is well known what a mitzvah Bikur Cholim is, and especially with The Rav shlit"a—there are countless stories of sick people who were saved through his prayers. “Baruch Hashem, an opportunity opened up this past Thursday. As soon as we heard that it was possible to arrange private, personal access for The Rav shlit"a alone to enter the room, The Rav traveled to Bnei Brak on Thursday for a family celebration—his nephew’s daughter’s wedding. And we received a positive response from Rabbi Badani’s relatives that it would be possible to come. “The Rav arrived around five in the evening at Rabbi Badani’s room. Rabbi Badani’s son opened the room for The Rav, only warning that there was coronavirus, so it was not advisable to come close. The Rav shlit"a stood at the doorway and recited The Tikkun HaKlali. After we asked the medical staff whether it was possible to approach Rabbi Badani’s bedside, they answered that it depended on us. So The Rav came right up to Rabbi Badani’s bed. “The Rav left there with a joyful expression. It is brought in the Gemara that they asked, ‘How do you know your prayer has been accepted on behalf of the sick person?’ And he answered: ‘When I see that my prayer flows readily from my mouth, then certainly the sick person will rise; and if not, I know that he is “toreif”...’ “It is written in the Mishnah: We saw from the radiance that was spread across The Rav’s face that surely we would see a salvation here—of course, we must pray that it continues and that Rabbi Badani will be healthy. From the heights of his age and from his role as President of the Council, certainly the generation needs him. “The Rav said that many have already been saved through these prayers, and with Hashem’s help he too will be saved. And now we truly see a dramatic improvement—at this age and in this condition. Baruch Hashem, The Rav gave of himself with mesirus nefesh, both to show gratitude and also out of personal responsibility to pray for one of the great leaders of Israel.”

To listen to the full interview — courtesy of the Breslov Chassidim information line 9148* [audio mp3="https://www.shuvubanimint.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ראיון-דוב-צוקר-ערוך-הרב-בעדני.mp3"][/audio] https://www.shuvubanimint.com/53619/