Jerusalem - Mourners by the thousands flocked to Jerusalem on Tuesday for the funeral of Rabbi Refael Shmuelevitz, ZT'L, who passed away on Monday at the age of 78 following a lengthy illness.

Rabbi Shmuelevitz, who served as Rosh Yeshiva at Jerusalem’s Mir Yeshiva, suffered for years from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Myasthenia Gravis.

Son of the famous Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, ZT'L, the Poland-born Refael fled the country after the Nazi invasion, following Mir Yeshiva to stops in Lithuania, Japan, and Shanghai before ultimately settling in Israel.

As reported earlier by VIN News, as part of a pioneering stem cell trial for ALS sufferers in 2012, Rav Shmuelevitz temporarily regained his ability to walk and speak clearly, but ultimately his illnesses took their toll.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men take part in the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016. (Credit: REUTERS)Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men take part in the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016.  (Credit: REUTERS)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Israeli policemen seen with Ultra Orthodox Jews during the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Israeli policemen seen with Ultra Orthodox Jews during the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016. (Credit: Flash90)Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews attend the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelovich at the Mir Yeshiva Hall in Beit Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem, on January 19, 2016.  (Credit: Flash90)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews stand next to the wrapped body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews stand next to the wrapped body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews stand next to the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews stand next to the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn during the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn during the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews wait to see the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews wait to see the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry the body of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn during the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn during the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews look on during the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)Ultra-Orthodox Jews look on during the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, 19 January 2016. Thousands attend the funeral of Rabbi Rafael Shmuelevitz who died late on 18 January at the age of 78. Mir Yeshiva is the largest yeshiva (Jewish institution for studying traditional religious texts) in Israel and one of the largest in the world with over 7,500 students. (Credit: EPA)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men take part in the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016. (Credit: REUTERS)Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men take part in the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016.  (Credit: REUTERS)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men surround the body of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, during his funeral in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016. (Credit: REUTERS)Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men surround the body of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, during his funeral in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016.  (Credit: REUTERS)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men are silhouetted as they take part in the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016. (Credit: REUTERS)Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men are silhouetted as they take part in the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016.  (Credit: REUTERS)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men pray inside a synagogue during the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016. (Credit: REUTERS)Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men pray inside a synagogue during the funeral ceremony of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016.  (Credit: REUTERS)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men hold the body of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, during his funeral in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016. (Credit: REUTERS)Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men hold the body of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, during his funeral in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016.  (Credit: REUTERS)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men hold the body of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, during his funeral in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016. (Credit: REUTERS)Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men hold the body of Rabbi Raphael Shmuelevich, head of the Mir Yeshiva (Jewish seminary), who died on Monday at the age of 78, during his funeral in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood January 19, 2016.  (Credit: REUTERS)