Auction 82 - Part I - Judaica – Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters, Ceremonial Art
• Handwritten leaf, unpublished section of a discourse by one of the rebbes of Chabad, containing wondrous and unknown teachings in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek about the Be'er Mayim Chaim. The Tzemach Tzedek explained that great Tzaddikim would receive Divine revelations on Shabbat, which changed them fundamentally, as is known about the Be'er Mayim Chaim, who would grow a head taller on Shabbat: "Whoever saw him on weekdays, did not recognize him on Shabbat…".
• Handwritten leaf from a Chabad "bichel", with a copying of a ruling of the Tzemach Tzedek regarding reciting the blessing of Shehecheyanu on Purim morning. The copying concludes: "Copied from the manuscript of Rebbe Menachem Mendel, from what he wrote in his siddur in 1865".
The Baal HaTanya ruled in his siddur that Shehecheyanu is not recited before the reading of the Megillah on Purim morning, and this was practiced in Chabad communities for decades after his passing. However, in 1865 (or 1864), his grandson the Tzemach Tzedek, in a note he wrote in a copy of the siddur of the Baal HaTanya, ruled like the opinion that Shehecheyanu is recited (see enclosed material).
• Handwritten leaf, notes and copyings on various topics: copying of a letter of the Mitteler Rebbe, copying of a letter from the Baal HaTanya regarding Napoleon, copyings from the Pinkas of the Chevra Kadisha of Liozna, with the first documentation of the Baal HaTanya, and more.
3 leaves. Size and condition vary.
These discourses were delivered and recorded by Rebbe Shlomo Zalman Schneersohn, the Magen Avot of Kopust, and later copied and disseminated amongst Kopust Chassidim.
The present "bichel" comprises 17 discourses, copied by various writers and bound together. Glosses in another hand on several leaves. All the discourses were published in the Magen Avot series.
Rebbe Shlomo Zalman Schneersohn (1830-1900), grandson and close disciple of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch. He succeeded his father R. Yehuda Leib, the Maharil of Kopust, as rebbe of Chabad-Kopust.
[1], 207, [1] leaves. Lacking leaf 197. 21 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Marginal tears. New leather binding.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak" (one with his full signature "Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn"). Two of the letters with additions in his handwriting.
Addressed to the philanthropist Elchanan Glazer. In the first letter (dated 8th Tishrei 1947), the rebbe congratulates him for his engagement, with blessings for the upcoming wedding and good year wishes. With the rebbe's full signature.
The other two letters contain blessings for his family members: blessings for recovery for his niece (16th Tammuz 1948) and blessings for recovery for his wife's grandmother (8th Tishrei 1948). At the end of both letters, near his signature, the Rayatz added in his handwriting: "In material and spiritual matters".
[3] leaves, official stationery. 21.5 cm and 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Stains, creases and minor wear.
The letters are typewritten on the official stationery of the Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak" with the letter Yud in Ashuri script - his famous signature in the final year of his life. One letter contains several words in his handwriting.
Addressed to the philanthropist Elchanan Glazer. In the first letter (dated 7th Elul 1949), the rebbe extends his blessings for an easy pregnancy and birth, and concludes with blessings for abundant livelihood.
The other two letters (8th Marcheshvan 1949) contain blessings for livelihood and good health for his family members.
[3] leaves, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and minor creases.
The letters are typewritten on the official stationery of the Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak". Two letters contain additions in his handwriting.
1. Letter to R. Chanoch Hendel Havlin, official trustee of the Rayatz's property in Eretz Israel. 4th Iyar 1944. The letter discusses the sale of the Rayatz's property in Hebron, and the purchase of land in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv instead. The Rayatz concludes with blessings for recovery and good health.
2. Letter to the Commission for Family Purity in Montevideo, Uruguay. 11th Marcheshvan 1945. Yiddish.
Lengthy letter (2 pages) regarding the building of a mikveh in Montevideo. The Rayatz writes that he encloses his participation of 200 dollars, and blesses all those involved in the work with sons, life and sustenance.
3-6. Four letters to the philanthropist Elchanan Glazer:
• Letter dated 5th Tevet 1944. Yiddish. The Rayatz first describes his state of health, then discusses financial matters pertaining to the printing of the Tzemach Tzedek series of books (sponsored by Mr. Glazer). With blessings for good health, plentiful livelihood and success in his endeavors on behalf of the Rayatz's yeshiva. • Letter dated 19th Iyar 1946. Yiddish. The Rayatz asks him to try to attain visas to the United States for two families of Holocaust survivors from Poland. With blessings for success in his business and good health for his parents. At the end of the letter, near his signature, the Rayatz added in his handwriting "in material and spiritual matters". • Letter dated 24th Av 1947. Yiddish. Blessings for good health and longevity. • Letter of good year wishes, Erev Rosh Hashana 1947.
7. Letter addressed to Chabad Chassidim and students of the Chabad yeshivot. 14th Kislev 1947. The letter discusses the exclusive rights of the Kehot publication society to publish the books of rebbes of Chabad. At the end of the letter, near his signature, the rebbe added in his handwriting "in material and spiritual matters".
Enclosed: • Letter on the official stationery of the Rayatz (unsigned): English translation of a letter to the Chabad activist Binyamin Glazer regarding the conference of the Joint the latter arranged, where a representative of Rebbe Rayatz spoke regarding the situation of the refugees in Europe. • Telegram from the secretariat of the Rayatz (on Western Union telegram form) to Binyamin Glazer, regarding a public letter from the Rayatz in honor of Chag HaGeulah of Yat Kislev. • Printed leaf on official stationery of the Rayatz, with the names of several figures in Poland, their place and year of birth, and their address (Hebrew and English). • Six envelopes, with the official letterhead of the Rayatz.
Size and condition vary.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his signature.
Public-private letter which the Rayatz sent (on 12th Tammuz - Chag HaGeulah, holiday commemorating his liberation from Soviet imprisonment in 1927), in honor of Chai (18th) Elul, birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and the Baal HaTanya.
In his letter, the Rayatz explains the day's import for Chassidim in general, for whom this day brings heavenly blessing in material and spiritual matters, and in particular for Chabad Chassidim, for whom this day carries a double measure of holiness and blessing.
Further in the letter, the Rayatz relates to the terrible situation of European Jewry under the Nazis, and the weak spiritual state of American Jewry, and prays that G-d will take pity in the merit of the two luminaries born on this day.
The Rayatz concludes with the motto he coined and publicized in 1941 - "Immediate repentance - immediate redemption".
[1] leaf, official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and minor creases. Minor marginal tear.
Letter of good year wishes from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn - the Rayatz of Lubavitch, with his signature. Brooklyn NY, Erev Rosh Hashanah 1948.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak".
Addressed to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978), with wishes for a good year.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and creases. Minor marginal tears.
R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978), prominent Chassid of Chabad in the United States, connected to three generations of Chabad rebbes. Originally a Chassid of Kotsk, he was drawn to Rebbe Rashab and studied under him.
In the late 1920s, he immigrated to the United States where he was involved in communal work, spreading Chassidut, raising funds for Chabad yeshivot and rescuing Chabad students during the Holocaust. He was associated with the Rayatz, and after the latter's passing, he became very attached to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
His son, R. Sholem Ber Kowalsky (1920-1997), Chassid and Chabad activist, rabbi of Young Israel in New York and a leader of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) during Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's tenure as its president. He served as rabbi of Hillcrest NY for thirty years, where he established many Torah institutions. He founded Ezra, an organization assisting Russian Jewry behind the Iron Curtain. He would consult the Lubavitcher Rebbe on every issue pertaining to his communal work, and received the latter's detailed guidance. In 1996, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, settled in Jerusalem and worked in the Chief Rabbinate of Israel until his passing.
Letter signed by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn - the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Brooklyn NY, 6th Elul 1949.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak", and the addition of several words in his handwriting.
Addressed to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978). The rebbe blesses him with good health and abundant livelihood for himself and all his family members, and wishes him success in his work on behalf the Tomchei Temimim yeshivot.
At the end of the letter, the Rayatz added in his handwriting: "All goodness in material and spiritual matters"; signing with his famous signature in the final year of his life, with the letter Yud in Ashuri script.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and creases. Minor marginal tears.
R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978), prominent Chassid of Chabad in the United States, connected to three generations of Chabad rebbes. Originally a Chassid of Kotsk, he was drawn to Rebbe Rashab and studied under him.
In the late 1920s, he immigrated to the United States where he was involved in communal work, spreading Chassidut, raising funds for Chabad yeshivot and rescuing Chabad students during the Holocaust. He was associated with the Rayatz, and after the latter's passing, he became very attached to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
His son, R. Sholem Ber Kowalsky (1920-1997), Chassid and Chabad activist, rabbi of Young Israel in New York and a leader of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) during Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's tenure as its president. He served as rabbi of Hillcrest NY for thirty years, where he established many Torah institutions. He founded Ezra, an organization assisting Russian Jewry behind the Iron Curtain. He would consult the Lubavitcher Rebbe on every issue pertaining to his communal work, and received the latter's detailed guidance. In 1996, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, settled in Jerusalem and worked in the Chief Rabbinate of Israel until his passing.
Letter of good year wishes from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn - the Rayatz of Lubavitch, with his signature. Brooklyn NY, Elul 1949.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak, with the letter Yud in Ashuri script - the famous signature of the Rayatz in the final year of his life
Addressed to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978), with good year wishes.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and creases. Minor marginal tears.
R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978), prominent Chassid of Chabad in the United States, connected to three generations of Chabad rebbes. Originally a Chassid of Kotsk, he was drawn to Rebbe Rashab and studied under him.
In the late 1920s, he immigrated to the United States where he was involved in communal work, spreading Chassidut, raising funds for Chabad yeshivot and rescuing Chabad students during the Holocaust. He was associated with the Rayatz, and after the latter's passing, he became very attached to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
His son, R. Sholem Ber Kowalsky (1920-1997), Chassid and Chabad activist, rabbi of Young Israel in New York and a leader of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) during Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's tenure as its president. He served as rabbi of Hillcrest NY for thirty years, where he established many Torah institutions. He founded Ezra, an organization assisting Russian Jewry behind the Iron Curtain. He would consult the Lubavitcher Rebbe on every issue pertaining to his communal work, and received the latter's detailed guidance. In 1996, he immigrated to Eretz Israel, settled in Jerusalem and worked in the Chief Rabbinate of Israel until his passing.
1-4. Four letters from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn - the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Otwosk, 1938.
Three of the letters are typewritten on the official stationery of the Rayatz, and one on the stationery of the rebbe's secretariat. The letters are signed by the secretary R. Yechezkel Feigin (one letter with his photocopied signature); two letters are stamped "Secretary of the rebbe of Lubavitch, R. Yechezkel Feigin". Two of the letters were sent to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky, and the other two to R. Avraham Shlomo HaKohen (of Chachersk?).
5. Letter from the secretary R. Yechezkel Feigin. 21st Iyar 1938.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe's secretary, R. Yechezkel Feigin, with the latter's signature Addressed to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky, with a report of the poor state of health of the Rayatz and a description of Passover in the rebbe's presence.
6-7. Two letters from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn - the Lubavitcher Rebbe. 28th Nissan 1953 / 18th Shevat 1962.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe's secretariat, one signed by the secretary R. Chaim Lieberman (with ink stamp of the rebbe's secretariat) and the second signed by the secretary R. Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson. Addressed to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky.
8. Envelope with letterhead of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Sent to R. Sholem Ber Kowalsky in 1964.
9-14. Six receipts from Chabad institutions for donations received from R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky in 1956-1959.
Size and condition vary.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his signature.
Addressed to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978), with good year wishes.
[1] leaf, official stationery. Approx. 22 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and creases. Minor stains.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his signature and the addition of one word in his handwriting.
Addressed to R. Chaim Nachman Kowalsky (1892-1978), with good year wishes.
At the end of the letter, after "with blessings", the rebbe added in his handwriting: "for success".
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and creases.