Online Auction 30 - Special Chabad Auction in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn and in Honor of the Chag HaGeulah of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn - the Rayatz of Lubavitch
- (-) Remove chabad filter chabad
Benrus wristwatch which R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe, received as a gift from his father-in-law R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – Rebbe Rayatz.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift… the Benrus watch that my father [the Rayatz] bought my brother-in-law [the Lubavitcher Rebbe] in 1929-1930. When my father and my husband went to Israel and America I went with my son [Barry Gurary] to Berlin to stay with my sister. While in America my father bought as a gift for my brother-in-law the Benrus watch. It had become very popular at the time. My brother-in-law wore this watch along with the one he got before his wedding for most of the 1930's – early 1940's. By 1945, the Benrus watch was considered dated and my brother-in-law offered it to my son who said he wasn't interested having it. When my sister and brother-in-law were moving from their apartment on New York ave [in 1955, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin moved to their home on President St.], my sister gave it to me. She didn't want to keep things that became something that just sat in the dresser without being used. I changed the band of the watch. My husband wore it a few times and he too wasn't interested in wearing it. I want you to have it. Now that my husband passed away [the Rashag passed away in Adar 1989], I know you will treasure it". Dated 10th September 1989.
In 1929-1930, Rebbe Rayatz travelled to Eretz Israel and the United States, accompanied by his oldest son-in-law R. Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag). On 21st Tammuz 1930, the Rayatz's visit in the United States ended. He set sail from the port of New York on the SS Bremen, and reached Berlin on 27th Tammuz 1930. After spending several weeks in the health spas of Marienbad, and a short stay in Berlin, he returned in the middle of Elul to Riga. On his way to Eretz Israel and upon his return, as well as upon returning from the United States, the Rayatz met his younger son-in-law R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, future Lubavitcher Rebbe, in Berlin (R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn and his wife Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka lived in 1929-1933 in Berlin, and moved to Paris when the Nazis rose to power).
According to the enclosed letter, Rebbe Rayatz bought the present watch as a gift for his son-in-law R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn during his visit to the United States in 1930, and presented it to him upon his return to Europe, presumably during his stay in Berlin (in Tammuz and Elul 1930), while on his way home to Riga.
As described in the letter, during the visit of her father the Rayatz and her husband the Rashag in Eretz Israel and the United States, Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary stayed, together with her son Barry, by her sister Chaya Mushka and her brother-in-law R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn in Berlin (see also Igrot Kodesh of the Rayatz, vol. XV letters 5442, 5449, 5468).
In the famous picture of the Lubavitcher Rebbe sitting beside his mother Rebbetzin Chanah in Paris (the Rebbe came to Paris in 1947 to accompany his mother Rebbetzin Chanah to the United States, after she escaped Soviet Russia), the rebbe is seen wearing a watch which resembles the present one. This may be the watch he received as a gift from his father-in-law the Rayatz some 17 years earlier in 1930 (see enclosed material).
Body of watch: 2.5X2.5 cm. Good condition. Mechanism in working order. New leather straps (as mentioned in the letter, Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary replaced the original straps).
Wristwatch worn by Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, in the 1940s and early 1950s.
Women's wristwatch produced by Milos (Helbros mechanism, Twiston straps), partially plated with 10 karat gold.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by her sister Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift… the Helbros Milos watch which my sister and I wore in the 1940's and early 1950's". Dated 10th September 1989.
Body of watch: Approx. 2X1.5 cm. Good condition. Mechanism in working order.
Items of clothing from the wardrobe of the sisters Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn and Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary. [1950s].
Blue and white hat (Gottlieb New York] and long blue dress.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift… the blue outfit, with the blue and white Gottlieb – New York hat which my sister and I both wore in the 1950s". Dated 10th September 1989.
Fine blue (beaded) handbag enclosed, gifted together with the items of clothing but not mentioned in the letter.
Good condition.
Three items of clothing from the wardrobe of the sisters Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn and Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary. [1960s].
Black fur hat (Deborah Exclusive), matching skirt and wool coat (fur cuffs and collar).
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift… the brown outfit, with the black fur hat, which my sister and I wore in the 1960s". Dated 10th September 1989.
Good condition.
One-hundred-dollar bill received from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
The bill was given to R. Shaul Shimon Deutsch, who wrote in the margins (in pen): "From the Rebbe – Research on the Frierdicker Rebbe's trip to Boston".
Some two years after his release from the Soviet prison (12th-13th Tammuz 1927) and moving to Riga (Tishrei 1927), the Rayatz travelled to the United States. Towards the end of his visit, the Rayatz paid a two week visit to Boston (19th Sivan-3rd Tammuz 1930), during the course of which he held meetings with leaders and politicians, received people for private audiences, convened meetings and hitvaaduyot and delivered sermons before the large crowds which gathered in the Beit El and Ahavat Yeshurun synagogues.
The 2nd July issue of the Yiddish newspaper Morgen Journal describes the Rayatz's visit in Boston: "The visit of the Rebbe of Lubavitch in Boston was a huge spiritual success. Beginning from the first reception… on 15th June until the farewell on 29th June, each of his appearances was met with a huge audience. His residence on 104 Crawford St. was, from the moment he arrived until he left, a central place for all those who turned to him. Young and old, rich and poor, Chassidic and Mitnagdim, all came to see the rebbe of Lubavitch and hear Chassidic teachings from him or his son-in-law R. Gurary" (Yiddish).
Good condition. Creases and minor wear.
One-hundred-dollar bill from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
The bill was given to R. Shaul Shimon Deutsch, who wrote in the margins (in pen): "From the Rebbe – Research on the life of Shamil. The Rebbe asked me to write about Shamil's niggun. Answer from the Rebbe: Received with many thanks".
The rebbe taught fourteen niggunim between 1954-1974, mostly during Hitvaaduyot on Simchat Torah. During the Hitvaadut on Simchat Torah night, 1959, in the early hours of the morning, the rebbe taught the Shamil niggun, introducing it with a tale: "One hundred or one hundred and fifty years ago, semi-wild tribes lived in the Caucasian mountains. They were free like birds, they had no limitations of national laws, not even the limitations of cultured people. When the Tzar began expanding the limits of his kingdom, he wanted to conquer the Caucasian mountains as well… since these were tall mountains, he was not successful in his conquest. Eventually… they captured Shamil and exiled him deep in Russia. While in exile, he would remember from time to time the tall mountains, where he was free like an eagle, and he didn't have the limitations of a prison, not even the confines of a city, completely unfettered by civilization, and he would be filled with profound longing for the mountains. And then he would sing this tune, which begins with longing, yet whose final stanza is hopeful. When a Jew heard this tune… he used it to symbolize the descent of the soul into the body: Prior to its descent into the body, the soul originated from the heavenly throne… and it had no ruler or dominion. But it was tricked into being sent down, to be clothed in an animalistic body. Therefore, when the soul contemplates on her source – she is filled with a great thirst… this is the beginning of the tune – the thirst and longing of the soul. While the final stanza of the tune, filled with hope and trust, that eventually she will leave this deep pit, and rise higher then where she came from" (Torat Menachem, vol. XXIV, pp. 170-172).
Letter of authenticity enclosed (English) by R. Shaul Shimon Deutsch, in which he describes the research he did for the Rebbe in 1987 on the historic figure of Shamil (he also published an article on this topic, upon the rebbe's instructions; the article was published in 1992 in the Kfar Chabad weekly), in return for which he received the present bill.
Good condition. Minor stains.
Two five-dollar bills received from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe, on the yahrzeit of his wife Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn, 22nd Shevat.
The bills were given to R. Shaul Shimon Deutsch and his wife Pe'er; inscription (in pen) in the margins: "From the rebbe together with the Kovetz 22nd Shevat 1992".
On the eve of 22nd Shevat 1992, in honor of the fourth yahrzeit of his wife Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, after the evening prayers the rebbe distributed a special booklet named Kovetz 22nd Shevat, which contained discourses and letters on the virtue of Jewish women and girls. Each booklet was presented together with a piece of Lekach and a five-dollar bill (the Hebrew word for five – חמ"ש is an acronym for the Rebbetzin's name – Chaya Mushka Schneersohn). The distribution of the booklets continued for five hours straight. The present bills were received from the rebbe on this occasion (without the booklet).
Good condition. Folding marks and creases.
שישה שטרות של דולר אחד, שהתקבלו מהאדמו"ר מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש.
השטרות הוענקו לרב שאול שמעון דויטש, שרשם בשוליהם (בעט): "מיד כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א".
מצב טוב
Two shekel bills received from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe
* Shekel bill. Written in the margins (in ink): "This money was given from the Rebbe".
* Shekel bill. Written in the margins (in pen): "Dollar or Shekel from the Rebbe to Zusha Rivkin in honor of the Torah scroll (Didan Notzach)".
The bill was given to R. Zusha Rivkin of Kfar Chabad, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Torah scroll in the merit of the rebbe and Rebbetzin, in the Beit Menachem synagogue in Kfar Chabad on 25th Cheshvan 1987. During the course of the celebrations, news was received of Didan Notzach – the victory in the court case to keep the books of the Rayatz in the hands of the Lubavitch Movement (regarding the completion of the scribing of the Torah scroll in the merit of the rebbe and Rebbetzin, the shekel bills which the rebbe gave R. Zusha Rivkin to distribute to the participants at the inauguration of the Torah scroll in the Beit Menachem synagogue in Kfar Chabad, and the Didan Notzach news which was received at that time, see Zusha shel Kulanu, pp. 46-55).
Approx. 13.5X7.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Stains, creases and minor wear.
Three large press photographs, taken during the visit of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, in the United States, 1930.
Three black and white press photographs printed in large format, documenting the final days of the visit of Rebbe Rayatz and his eldest son-in-law R. Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag) in the United States:
1. Photograph of the Rayatz and his son-in-law R. Gurary standing on the steps of the White House, on the day of the Rayatz's meeting with Herbert Hoover, president of the United States, 14th Tammuz 1930 (see item no. 10).
2-3. Two photographs of the Rayatz and his son-in-law R. Gurary standing on the deck of the SS Bremen, on Wednesday, 20th Tammuz 1930, upon concluding their visit in the United States, before set sailing back to Europe and returning home to Riga, Latvia.
Ink stamp (slightly faded) of the International News Photos Inc. in New York on the verso of the three photographs.
Some two years after his release from the Soviet prison and settling in Riga, Rebbe Rayatz made a trip to the United States. Towards the end of the trip, which lasted for close to a year (Elul 1929-Tammuz 1930), the Rayatz met with Herbert Hoover, president of the United States, in the White House (on 14th Tammuz). During their meeting, the Rayatz thanked the president for the freedom of religion given to American Jewry and for the help his government provides to Jews throughout the world.
The Rayatz came to the United States accompanied with his son-in-law R. Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag), his uncle R. Moshe Horenstein (son-in-law of the Maharash) and R. Mordechai Dubin (a Chabad Chassid, prominent communal activist in Europe, member of the Latvian parliament who was instrumental in attaining the Rayatz's release from prison and exit from Russia). The objective of the trip was to raise awareness of the plight of Soviet Jews and to encourage and strengthen American Jewry.
Wherever he went, the Rayatz campaigned to strengthen and fortify Torah observance, and propagandized for Shabbat observance, laying tefillin and establishing Torah classes. He founded Agudas Chassidei Chabad and women's societies to promote Taharat HaMishpacha. On Shabbat, he would hold gatherings and deliver Chassidic teachings, and on weekdays, he would convene various meetings and receive people in private audiences. The Rayatz ended his visit on Thursday, 21st Tammuz 1930. He set sail from the port of New York on SS Bremen and reached Berlin on 27th Tammuz. After spending several weeks in the Marienbad health spa, the Rayatz returned in the middle of Elul 1930 to his home in Riga.
Enclosed: Photograph of the festive banquet held at the Plaza Hotel in New York, on 26th Adar 1945, in honor of the fifth anniversary of the founding of the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth in the United States and Canada. Due to his ill health, the Rayatz was unable to attend this function, and his son-in-law R. Gurary, who served as president of the executive committee of the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth, is seen on the head table (see Igrot Kodesh by the Rayatz, vol. XIV, letter 2662). R. Mordechai Mentlick, dean of the Central Lubavitcher Yeshiva is seen at the forefront of the photograph. Ink stamp of the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth on the verso of the photograph.
3 photographs. Approx. 25 cm. Fair condition. Creases and minor defects. Tears and open tears (slightly affecting the margins of two photographs). Inscriptions on the verso.
Letter signed by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Brooklyn, NY, 23rd Sivan 1949. Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak" and several words in his handwriting.
The letter was sent to Kollel Chabad in Eretz Israel – a charity organization established by the Baal HaTanya, founder of Chabad Chassidut, with the objective of providing for the material and spiritual needs of Chabad Chassidim in Eretz Israel.
At the beginning of the letter, the Rayatz appoints the administration: "I hereby appoint the members of the administration of Kollel Chabad in the Holy Land… [R. Avraham Chaim Naeh, R. Shlomo Yosef Zevin, R. Shaul Dov Zislin, R. Azriel Zelig Slonim and R. Chaim Yosef Rosenblum]" and its head: "My friend R. Zelig Slonim will serve as director of the Kollel" (see next item).
Further in his letter, the Rayatz describes the importance of Kollel Chabad and his expectations from the committee members: "Kollel Chabad, which was founded on the heights of great holiness, my ancestors our teachers… is very close to my heart and I strongly wish to see it advanced, organized in the best way possible, and therefore I ask the members of the administration to devote themselves to it with great energy, to arrange all the matters of the institution in the best way possible". He blesses the members of the committee: "I hereby send you my blessings, may G-d help you succeed in your work, to establish Kollel Chabad on a good sturdy footing both in material and spiritual matters".
At the end of the letter, the Rayatz added in his own handwriting: "And blesses them in material and spiritual matters"; and signed with the Yud at the beginning of his second name in Ashuri script – his distinctive signature from the final year of his life.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim (1897-1971), a leading Chabad activist, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and director of Kollel Chabad. He was one of the founders of Irgun N'shei UBnos Chabad and the Beit Chanah institutions, and helped establish Shikun Chabad in Jerusalem.
The letter was published in Igrot Kodesh of the Rayatz (vol. X, letter 3511), based on a picture of the present letter appearing in the book Migdal Oz (p. 38).
[1] leaf, official stationery. Approx. 28 cm. Thin paper. Good condition. Filing holes. Folding marks. Creases and wear. Marginal holes (not affecting text). Inscriptions.
Letter signed by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Brooklyn, NY, 7th Elul 1949. Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak and several words in his handwriting.
The letter was sent to his relative R. Azriel Zelig Slonim, upon his appointment as director of Kollel Chabad in the Holy Land (charity organization founded by the Baal HaTanya, with the objective of providing for the material and spiritual needs of Chabad Chassidim in Eretz Israel).
In Iyar 1949, R. Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag) visited Eretz Israel and suggested to R. Azriel Zelig Slonim, in the name of his father-in-law the Rayatz, to serve as director of Kollel Chabad. Indeed, in his letter from 23rd Sivan (see previous item), the Rayatz appointed the members of the Kollel administration and nominated R. Azriel Zelig to serve as its director. The latter accepted the position, and wrote to the Rayatz on 16th Av: "I am prepared to devote myself entirely to work for the benefit of the Kollel in material and spiritual matters" (Eved Melech, pp. 210-211). To which the Rayatz responds in the present letter: "In response to his letter from 16th Av, informing that he is beginning his work as director of Kollel Chabad in the Holy Land", blessing him: "May it be at an opportune time and may G-d help him fulfill my shlichus fully and bless him and grant him success in everything he and his family need".
At the end of the letter, the Rayatz added in his own handwriting: "All good in material and spiritual matters"; signing with the Yud in Ashuri script at the beginning of his second name – his distinctive signature during the final year of his life.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim (1897-1971), a leading Chabad activist, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and director of Kollel Chabad. He was the founder of Irgun N'shei UBnos Chabad and the Beit Chanah institution, and helped establish Shikun Chabad in Jerusalem.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim was born in Hebron to R. Ze'ev Dov, grandson of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rachel Slonim, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch. He was orphaned at a young age of his father, and at the age of 15, in 1913, he travelled to study in the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch. R. Azriel Zelig was a household member of Rebbe Rashab, and ate at his table on Shabbat and festivals. In 1918, following the civil war, he went to study in the Kherson branch of Tomchei Temimim, in Ukraine. In Kherson, he drew close to the renowned Chassid Reb Itche der Masmid and with his encouragement, began going round the Jewish colonies in the Kherson district, giving classes on Chassidut. Amongst others, he was active in the Nahar Tov colony (Nagartav, Bereznegovatoye County), R. Itche's town. He would travel from time to time for the festivals to the Rashab in Rostov, and after the latter's passing, he continued travelling to his son and successor, the Rayatz. After Pesach 1922, he returned to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem. He was appointed mashpia in the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in the Old City, and married Mrs. Chaya Feigel (daughter of his sister Sheinah Mushka and her husband R. Moshe Shlomo Kahana Shapira, descendant of the Megaleh Amukot). In 1924, with the encouragement and instructions of the Rayatz, he began serving as emissary and travelled throughout the world. During this mission, he raised funds, disseminated Judaism and Chassidut, and worked in outreach. He reached the most far-flung communities, and worked on establishing Mikvaot, appointing rabbis and shochetim and setting up classes on Torah and Chassidut. In 1924, he took part in founding Agudas Chassidei Chabad in America and Canada. At the end of one of his missions, the Rayatz commented: "Zelig is capable of making things happen". Upon concluding his mission in Australia in 1940, R. Azriel Zelig returned to Jerusalem and devoted himself to Chabad communities in Eretz Israel. He was the trustee of Chabad property in Eretz Israel, and maintained continuous correspondence with Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah wife of the Rashab and Rebbetzin Nechama Dina wife of the Rayatz. He passed away on Chol HaMoed Sukkot and was buried on Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem. Many of his descendants serve as Chabad Shlichim and rabbis in communities throughout the world.
The letter was printed in Igrot Kodesh of the Rayatz (vol. X, letter 3552), based on the picture of this letter appearing in the book Migdal Oz (p. 39).
[1] leaf, official stationery. 21.5 cm. Thin paper. Good condition. Filing holes. Folding marks and creases. Small marginal open tears (not affecting text).