Widespread concern has spread among Belzer chassidim following a noticeable decline in the health of the Belzer Rebbe, with an urgent appeal issued Sunday evening for increased tefillos on his behalf.

In a message delivered over the Kol Belz hotline by the gabbai of the main belzer beis medrash, Reb Aharon Kalman Fried, it was announced that the Rebbe would not appear for Maariv or for Sefiras HaOmer in the main beis medrash in Kiryas Belz in Yerushalayim.

The announcement was conveyed in the name of the Rebbe’s son, Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach, who issued an emotional and personal plea to chassidim worldwide. “As my father, the Rebbe, is experiencing great weakness, we ask each person to say several chapters of Tehillim, give tzedakah, and arouse Heavenly mercy, that the Rebbe shlit”a should lead us toward Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days in complete health,” he said.

Concern for the Rebbe’s condition had already begun ahead of this past Shabbos. As previously reported, Rav Aharon Mordechai canceled a planned Shabbos visit to a kehillah in Nof HaGalil, where hundreds of families had been expecting him, in order to remain at his father’s side.

During Shabbos, the Rebbe did not attend the regular tefillos or conduct the customary tishen in the main beis medrash, instead davening in a limited minyan at his home. However, on Friday, the Rebbe did attend the bris of his great-grandson, where he served as sandek and remained for the seudas mitzvah.

Across Belzer communities around the world, chassidim began organizing gatherings Sunday evening for joint recitation of Tehillim.

Rav Aharon Mordechai is expected to lead Maariv at 10:00 p.m. in the main beis medrash, after which the tzibbur will recite Tehillim together for the Rebbe’s recovery.

All are asked to daven for Rav Yissachar Dov ben Miriam.

{Matzav.com}