On Erev Pesach, doctors at Hadassah Ein Kerem carried out a rare, life-saving robotic surgery on a 70-year-old woman, allowing her to recover in time for the Seder. The patient remained fully awake throughout the procedure, listening to Chassidish music — including the song “V’Afilu Be’Hastara” — as surgeons operated.

The woman had suffered a pelvic fracture after a fall and was bedridden for a month, enduring severe pain. Her condition deteriorated as she developed pneumonia due to prolonged immobility. “Any movement or bending of the body was impossible,” said Prof. Josh Schroeder, who led the procedure, describing a situation that had become life-threatening.

Doctors determined that general anesthesia posed too great a risk due to her respiratory condition. Instead, they opted for spinal anesthesia, numbing only the lower body while keeping her awake. “It is very rare to perform major pelvic surgery while the patient is awake,” Schroeder said.

The operation was performed using the Israeli-developed Mazor robotic system and lasted just 20 minutes, compared to several hours for a standard procedure. During the surgery, the medical team played the patient’s chosen Chassidic music and even joined in. “Throughout the surgery, we enjoyed the music she chose, and we even sang ourselves,” Schroeder said.

By that same evening, the woman was already able to sit up in bed for the first time in weeks and take part in the Seder. Her family described the recovery as a real Ness that came just in time for Yom Tov.