Rabbi Eliezer Berland, the former dean of the Shuvu Banim Yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem, was rushed to the hospital Monday morning.
Berland was convicted in a plea bargain agreement and sentenced to 18 months in jail last November after two female followers complained of sexual abuse by the 80-year old Breslov rabbi.
After the complaints surfaced in 2012, Berland fled the country, evading authorities in Europe and Africa until he was finally caught and extradited to Israel in 2016.
Berland served five months in jail and was released to house arrest in April.
During his five-month stay in jail Berland was hospitalized, prompting the court’s decision to release him to house arrest for the remainder of his sentence.
Supporters say Berland’s health has worsened in recent weeks, and that he collapsed several times recently.
“In the past few days he collapsed several times after standing too long on the floor during prayers,” followers of Berland told Behadrei Haredim on Monday.
“Even though the doctors who visited him said he was suffering from pneumonia and said since Saturday that he should be hospitalized, the rabbi insisted on staying at home and to continue praying with those who come to his house for prayers each day.”
