Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis was recuperating this week following a surgical procedure which forced him to cancel several communal engagements.

His office declined to give details about his condition but stressed the procedure was minor and routine.   

Rabbi Mirvis has been pulled out of events in London, Hull and Israel.

He had been due to fly to Israel for a special event organised by Tribe, the youth wing of the United Synagogue.

British gap year students in Israel were invited to spend Shabbat with the Chief Rabbi for a “provoking and inspiring” programme at a hotel in the heart of the Judean mountains. The plans for the weekend will still go ahead.

A spokesman for Rabbi Mirvis said: “The Chief Rabbi would like to thank everyone for their kind wishes as he recuperates from a minor procedure. He looks forwards to being completely back in action within a couple of weeks.”