Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita is undergoing surgery at this time in Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Yerushalayim. The Rav has been complaining of a hearing problem over recent months, and after consultations the decision was made together with Prof. Yochanan Stassman, the Rav’s personal physician, to have surgery to correct the problem.

Aides to the Gadol HaDor explain the procedure is not a complicated one and the Rav is expected to be discharged later in the day to permit him to resume limud Torah. The tzibur is request to be mispallel on behalf of HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ben Gorgia.

Rabbonim and talmidim in Yeshivat Chazon Ovadia, headed by HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, a son of the Rav and the author of the Yalkut Yosef, tefilos are being recited as the operation takes place.

UPDATE 1:30PM IL: Shas leader Minister Eli Yishai reports the Rav came out of surgery 30 minutes ago, and it went well. He called on the tzibur to recite Tehillim 136.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)