Rav Dov Kook of Tiveria remains in serious condition, with his family still awaiting significant improvement in his consciousness and ability to move, his son Rav Gedaliah Kook said in an update while urging the public to continue davening for his recovery.
Speaking with Rabbi Moshe Ben Lulu, Rav Gedaliah described his father’s difficult medical condition and appealed for additional tefillos and spiritual commitments on his behalf. He also discussed a major women’s gathering being organized by Rebbetzin Kook for her husband’s refuah, scheduled for Monday at Hangar 11 in the Tel Aviv Port.
“We are waiting for Hashem’s salvation,” Rav Gedaliah said, asking the public “to daven again and undertake all the spiritual efforts.”
He explained that, according to doctors, the initial months following a stroke and systemic collapse can be particularly significant in determining potential improvements in consciousness, communication and movement. Rav Gedaliah stressed that this represents only the medical assessment, while the family continues to daven and hope for a yeshuah beyond what doctors may anticipate.
Describing his father’s present condition, Rav Gedaliah said, “The Rav has still not gotten up, he does not move a hand or a foot, he cannot move any limb of his body.”
There have, however, been occasional signs of limited communication. Rav Gedaliah said his father has at times responded through slight head movements, particularly when Rebbetzin Kook or leading Gedolei Yisroel are present. He cautioned that these responses are brief and difficult, generally lasting only several seconds.
“He is receiving the best treatment in the world,” Rav Gedaliah stressed.
At the same time, he said there have been significant improvements in several of his father’s bodily systems. The family views some of those developments as “open miracles,” particularly after doctors had previously raised grave concerns about his condition.
The conversation then turned to a major initiative intended to generate additional tefillos for Rav Kook: a massive gathering for women being spearheaded by Rebbetzin Kook.
According to Rav Gedaliah, thousands of women from across the spectrum are expected to attend the event at Hangar 11 in the Tel Aviv Port. The gathering was initially planned for the Caesarea Amphitheater, but the venue was changed after Rebbetzin Kook requested that the security personnel inside the women’s area consist exclusively of women, allowing the event to be conducted in accordance with her standards of tznius.
Rav Gedaliah said the Rebbetzin has asked participants to bring drums and turn the gathering into an evening of tefillah, simcha and anticipation of a yeshuah.
A massive collective recitation of Tehillim is also planned. Organizers intend to divide the chapters among the thousands of women in attendance, allowing the participants to collectively complete the equivalent of approximately 1,500 entire Sifrei Tehillim within a short period of time.
The evening will also feature a musical program. Rav Gedaliah emphasized that the gathering is being organized without any profit motive.
The event is scheduled for Monday at 9 p.m. at Hangar 11 in the Tel Aviv Port. Rav Gedaliah said free transportation has been arranged from various locations around the country, with tickets available through the ticketing systems and contact information publicized for the gathering.
“Please respond to the Rebbetzin’s call, for an evening of simcha, an evening of yeshuah,” he appealed to listeners.
During the broadcast, Ben Lulu also played a recording of Rebbetzin Kook urging women to attend and increase their tefillos for her husband’s recovery and for yeshuos for Klal Yisroel.
The public is asked to continue davening for Rav Kook, whose name for tefillah is Rav Chizkiyahu Dov ben Shoshana.
