Online Auction 37 - Chabad
A special Chabad Auction in Honor of the Yahrzeit of of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, Daughter of Rebbe Rayatz and Wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe - Chof Beis Shevat 5748 (1988)
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Desk clock and a pair of matching candelabras which belonged to Rebbe Shmuel Schneerson, the Rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch. Garniture set - pendulum clock and a pair of four-branch candelabras (enclosed: a key for winding the clock, marked "Made in England"). Gilt and patinated bronze. Presumably France, mid-19th century.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz and great-granddaughter of the Maharash: "When we packed to leave Lubavitch for the last time, my grandfather was very emotional. He asked me to take care of packing up my great-grandfather's house - the Maharash. The most beautiful thing in the house was his desk clock and 2 matching candelabras. My grandfather then gave it to me as a gift. The Maharash bought it in Paris. This is the hardest thing for me to give away…". The letter is dated November 12, 1989.
Rebbe Maharash (1834-1883), the fourth rebbe of the Chabad dynasty, was the first Chabad rebbe to visit France. During the years 1868-1881, the Maharash visited France several times, to stay at health spas and consult doctors or for communal matters. According to the enclosed letter, this elegant set was purchased during one of the visits of the Maharash to Paris.
For one hundred and two years (1813-1915), Chabad Chassidut was centered in the town of Lubavitch, Belarus. In autumn 1915, during WWI, the Germans approached Smolensk, close to Lubavitch, compelling Rebbe Rashab and his entourage to flee the town, which was home to his great-grandfather, the Mitteler Rebbe since 1813. After several days of wandering, he settled in Rostov-on-Don, in south-western Russia.
His son, the Rayatz, describes at length in his diary, the deliberations that preceded the decision to leave Lubavitch, the Rashab's instruction to pack up the possessions of Beit Rebbi, the journey with all the baggage, and eventually, the arrival and settling in Rostov:
"Rumor has it that we are moving, to where and when - nobody knows, not even us. Just that my father [the Rashab] has said that we need to make the necessary preparations to travel and pack up what needs taking with…The station master did a lot for us, he instructed to receive all our baggage, which amounted to 97 poods [a Russian unit of weight; over 1500 kg in total], and he himself stood there when it was loaded onto the wagons that would travel with us. He told the baggage guard to keep a careful watch on the baggage, that it arrives safely… The cost of the journey is high… we're traveling in five, seven, nine wagons, to the residence where we have been allocated rooms… the Jewish community of Rostov is in great excitement about our arrival" (MiBeit HaGenazim, pp. 26-36).
Based on the enclosed letter of authenticity, upon fleeing Lubavitch, the Rebbe Rashab instructed his eldest granddaughter Rebbetzin Chana Gurary to pack up the belongings of his father, the Rebbe Maharash, and at that time, he gave her this clock and the matching candelabras as a gift.
The Rashab lived in Rostov for four years. During this time, a civil war was raging in Russia, and Rebbe Rashab devoted himself to improving the material and spiritual state of Russian Jewry. He sent his disciples to Bukhara and Georgia, built mikvaot, aided war refugees and orphans, and made every effort to maintain the Jewish ember. On 2nd Nissan 1920, Rebbe Rashab passed away, and was succeeded by his only son, Rebbe Rayatz, who led the movement during a time of sweeping social and political changes, and amidst the heightened religious persecution in Russia following the Communist revolution.
Clock: 41.5 cm. Candelabras: 43 cm. Good condition. The mechanism of the clock was not examined. Minor damages. One branch of a candelabra is slightly bent. Color slightly faded.
Black wool hat of R. Shalom Duber Schneerson – the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch.
Kalpak hat, made of black wool. With red fabric lining.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz and granddaughter of the Rashab: "I hereby gift… my grandfather's [Rebbe Rashab] black lamb winter hat. He bought it in Paris and wore it for many years in the winter months. My grandmother [Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rashab] gave it to me as a gift shortly after my grandfather passed away." The letter is dated December 3, 1989. Enclosed is a large box (leather-covered wood), which was possibly used by the Rebbe Rayatz or his family (the box was given together with the hat, but is not mentioned in the letter of authenticity).
Rebbe Rashab (1860-1920), the fifth Chabad Rebbe and prominent leader of Russian Jewry, was frail and sickly, and frequently travelled to various health spas in Europe, to consult with specialists. He took advantage of these trips to do his upmost to improve the material and spiritual situation of his Jewish brethren, particularly of Russian Jews.
His first trip was to Paris in winter 1883, approximately a year after the passing of his father Rebbe Maharash and his appointment as rebbe. Thereafter, he made several trips to other countries, at times staying for prolonged periods. His travels took him to France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Czechoslovakia, the Crimean Peninsula, and more. All this time, the Rashab corresponded with leaders and public figures, and wrote Chassidic essays. According to the enclosed letter, Rebbe Rashab purchased this woolen hat on one of his early visits to Paris and wore it during the cold winter months for many years.
As stated in the letter of authenticity, a short while after the passing of the Rebbe Rashab in Rostov, 2nd Nissan 1920, his wife Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah gave her eldest granddaughter, Rebbetzin Chana Gurary, this woolen hat.
In his book Reshimot Devarim (stories heard at the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in Lubavitch), R. Yehuda Chitrik describes various hats worn by the Rebbe Rashab on weekdays, Shabbat and while travelling. According to R. Chitrik, on Shabbat the rebbe would wear a "kalpak".
A photograph of Rebbe Rashab, only recently discovered (only one photo of the Rebbe was known beforehand), shows the Rebbe wearing a hat very similar to this one (inscription on the verso of the photo: "R. Shalom Duber Schneerson 1908 Moscow". Although the identification of the photographed was disputed, most experts confirm that it is indeed a photograph of Rebbe Rashab).
Approx. 19X31 cm. Good condition. Minor damage.
Travel writing desk of R. Shalom Duber Schneerson, the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch.
Writing desk for use while travelling (England or France, mid-late 19th century) –
Wooden box with five small compartments for storing writing utensils, inkstands and stamps, and two large compartments for papers. Upon opening, the panels covering the large compartments form together a sloped surface for writing. Lock affixed to the front of the box (lacking key). Brass trim; brass plaque on lid.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz and granddaughter of the Rashab: "I hereby gift… the large traveling writing desk of my grandfather the Rashab. He gave it to me in the summer of 1918". The letter is dated September 17, 1989.
Rebbe Rashab (1860-1920), the fifth Chabad Rebbe and prominent leader of Russian Jewry, was frail and sickly, and frequently travelled to various health spas in Europe, to consult with specialists. He took advantage of these trips to do his upmost to improve the material and spiritual situation of his Jewish brethren, particularly of Russian Jews. He travelled to Moscow and to St. Petersburg to annul various Tsarist decrees against the Jews, attended rabbinical conventions, send emissaries to remote Jewish communities, toiled to establish mikvaot and printing presses, assisted Jewish soldiers during the Russo-Japanese War, aided war refugees and orphans, and was very active in preserving Judaism during those arduous times.
His first trip was to Paris in winter 1883, approximately a year after the passing of his father Rebbe Maharash and his appointment as rebbe. Thereafter, he made several trips to other countries, at times staying for prolonged periods. His travels took him to France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Czechoslovakia, the Crimean Peninsula, and more. All this time, the Rashab corresponded with leaders and public figures, and wrote Chassidic essays.
This traveling desk was used by the Rashab during his lengthy travels throughout Russia and various European countries, to correspond with his family and with Chassidim, to write letters on communal matters, and to write his Chassidic essays.
Closed: 17X50X25 cm. Open: 51.5X50 cm. Good-fair condition. Missing key and lid of one small compartment. Minor damage, cracks and chipping.
Two 100-Ruble bills given by Rebbe Shalom Duber Schneerson, Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch, in Rostov-on-Don, on Motzaei Shabbat, the fifth night of Chanukah, December 20, 1919.
The bills were issued in Stockholm (Sweden) in 1919, for the Northwestern Army (part of the White Army), commanded by General Nikolai Yudenich. Yudenich's signature is printed on the bills.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz and granddaughter of the Rebbe Rashab: "I hereby gift… the 100 Ruble note I received from my grandfather [Rebbe Rashab] on Motzei Shabbos the 5th night of Chanukah, a few weeks before the white army fell in 1920". (The letter mentions one bill only. According to R. Shaul Shimon Deutsch, who received the bills from the Rebbetzin, the Rashab gave Rebbetzin Gurary the second bill for her betrothed, R. Shemaryahu Gurary, the Rashag). The letter is dated December 10, 1989.
In his discourses, the Lubavitcher Rebbe spoke several times about the custom of Rebbe Rayatz and Rebbe Rashab to give Chanukah gelt to all members of their households on the fourth or fifth day of Chanukah (See: HaYom Yom, 28 Kislev).
In autumn 1915, during WWI, the German enemy approached Smolensk, close to Lubavitch, and Rebbe Rashab and his entourage were forced to flee the town which was home to his great-grandfather the Mitteler Rebbe since 1813. After several days of wandering, he settled in Rostov-on-Don in south-western Russia and lived there for four years. During those harrowing days, while a civil war raged in Russia, Rebbe Rashab devoted himself to improving the material and spiritual state of Russian Jewry. He sent disciples to Bukhara and Georgia, built mikvaot, aided war refugees and orphans, and made every effort to preserve Judaism during those arduous times.
Before his passing on 2nd Nissan 1920, the Rashab chose Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag), son of R. Menachem Mendel Gurary of Kremenchuk, for his eldest granddaughter Rebbetzin Chana. They became engaged on 12th Tammuz 1920, three months after the death of the Rashab, and the wedding took place about one year later, on 11th Sivan 1921.
The Rebbe Rashab gave these bills as Chanukah gelt to his eldest granddaughter Rebbetzin Chana and to her betrothed, the Rashag, in Rostov-on-Don, on Motzaei Shabbat, the fifth night of Chanukah, 29th Kislev (December 20) 1919. Three weeks later, on January 10, 1920, the city of Rostov fell to the Red Army cavalry commanded by Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny, and the bills became worthless.
Very good condition.
Cane for Shabbat of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch.
Reddish-brown wood, with an Art Nouveau silver handle (marked: mark of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1872-1922, and maker's mark).
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift… my father's silver cane, which he used on Shabbos and on rare occasions during the week". The letter is dated September 3, 1989.
The Rebbe Rayatz owned a number of canes which he used on various occasions. In many photographs of the Rayatz, including photographs taken during his travels in the United States (1929-1930), and especially photographs taken after his return to Europe, when his health deteriorated and it became difficult for him to walk, he is seen using a walking cane. In the 1930s, the Rayatz lived in Latvia and in Poland, however, his state of health necessitated lengthy visits to various health spas on the outskirts of Riga, Vienna and Paris. The photos taken at that period show the rebbe using several different canes (as do many photos from the 1940s, after the Rebbe Rayatz fled occupied Europe and settled in the United States).
Based on the enclosed letter of authenticity, the Rebbe Rayatz used the present cane primarily on Shabbat and on rare occasions during the week (presumably, this cane, marked with a silver hallmark of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was purchased by the Rayatz in the 1930s, during his stay at a spa near Vienna).
Length: 90 cm. Handle: 10 cm. Good condition. Abrasions and loss to paint (mainly at the bottom of the cane). Break to silver handle.
Large leather suitcase of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. The suitcase was purchased during his visit to the United States in 1929-1930, and was used by him to store early books and manuscripts.
Large leather doctor's bag (marked on the bottom: Warranted cowhide; apparently made by Tanners Council of America).
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift... the unique leather bag that my father purchased during his trip to the United States in 1929-1930. He used it to store kesavim in them. He gave it to me as a gift during our stay at the Greystone hotel". The letter is dated November 5, 1989.
Some two years after being released from the Soviet prison and settling in Riga, Rebbe Rayatz traveled to the United States, accompanied by 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 and member of the Latvian parliament, who was instrumental in attaining the Rayatz's release from prison and exit from Russia).
The purpose of the trip, which lasted close to a year (Elul 1929 – Tammuz 1930), was to raise awareness of the plight of Soviet Jews and to encourage and strengthen Torah observance amongst American Jewry. According to the enclosed letter, the Rayatz purchased this suitcase during his visit to the United States and later used it to store early books and manuscripts.
In 1939, upon the outbreak of WWII, the Rayatz, his mother, Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, his wife, Rebbetzin Nechama Dina and his daughter Rebbetzin Chana with her husband, R. Shemaryahu Gurary, were stranded in Warsaw under German occupation, their lives in great danger. During these trying times, the Rayatz was forced to flee from house to house, seeking shelter from the shelling and bombing and rumors spread that the rebbe was caught and executed by the Germans.
In a video interview from 1997, R. Shalom Ber (Barry) Gurary, grandson of the Rayatz (son of his daughter Rebbetzin Chana) describes those harrowing days in bombarded Warsaw and tells of three large suitcases in which Rebbe Rayatz kept rear and important manuscripts. He recounts that one of the suitcases, containing the rebbe's tallit and tefillin, was lost. The present suitcase is one of those three large suitcases which did not leave Rebbe Rayatz's sight even during the most difficult days in Warsaw, while the Germans besieged and bombarded the city [one suitcase was sold at the Appel Auction House (8.10.21)]. The interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02BfM6_-JBg).
After the involvement of the US government, and with the assistance of several German officers, the Rayatz succeeded in fleeing Warsaw, together an entourage of about 20 family members and friends. They left occupied Europe in Adar I, 1940 and traveled by ship from Sweden to the United States. On Monday, 8th Adar Sheni 1940, the ship anchored in the New York Harbor. The next day, following a short reception at the port, the Rayatz arrived at his temporary quarters – Room 609 of the Greystone Hotel at 91 Broadway St. in Manhattan New York.
Based on the letter of authenticity, the Rayatz gave this suitcase to his daughter Rebbetzin Chana during their stay at the Greystone Hotel.
On 19th Elul 1940, after about half a year of temporary residence, the Rayatz and his family moved to their new home at 770 Eastern Parkway in the center of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. There, the Rayatz rebuilt the Chabad court and its institutions and continued another ten years of blessed activity until his death on 10th Shevat, 1950.
Approx. 28X60X35 cm. Good condition. Damage, abrasions, tears and wear.
Telephone from the yechidus room of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. The telephone was used by the Rayatz from 1940 to 1944.
Western Electric dial phone (model 102?), United States, 1930s.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift... my father's first phone he used in 770. He used it from 1940-1944. It was replaced with a newer model after his wheelchair once rolled over the cord and broke it. The replacement looked very similar". The letter is dated December 3, 1989. Enclosed is a wooden box which was possibly used by the Rebbe Rayatz or his family (the box was given with the present telephone, however it is not mentioned in the letter of authenticity).
In 1939, with the outbreak of WWII, Rebbe Rayatz, his mother Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, his wife Rebbetzin Nechama Dina and his daughter Rebbetzin Chana and her husband, R. Shemaryahu Gurary were stranded in Warsaw under German occupation, their lives in great danger. After several months of travail and wandering, the rebbe and his entourage reached the United States on Tuesday 9th Adar II, 1940.
Immediately upon their arrival, Agudas Chasidei Chabad invested great efforts in finding an appropriate permanent residence for the rebbe and his family and on Friday, 12th Av 1940, a residence was acquired at 770 Eastern Parkway, in the center of the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. On 19th Elul, the Rayatz and his family moved to their new quarters. The official inauguration ceremony took place two days later, on Tuesday, 21th Elul, with the participation of the Rayatz. The ceremony was attended by a large group of his Chassidim.
The building at 770 Eastern Parkway had three floors and a basement. The first floor housed the synagogue, the beit midrash and the offices. The Rayatz lived on the second floor. His daughter Chana and her husband, R. Shemaryahu Gurary lived on the third floor. The basement was primarily used for the library. An elevator was installed in the building (rare in those days) and a large yard surrounded the house.
Rebbe Rayatz's study – called "yechidus room" was located on the second floor of 770. From this room, the Rayatz managed the Chabad Chassidic court after his arrival in the United States. There he met community leaders and activists, held private audiences (yechidus) with Chassidim, wrote letters to all parts of the world and worked unceasingly to strengthen and support Judaism.
Fully packed bookshelves stood against the four walls of the room; the Rebbe's desk - a large black wooden table, with a heavy glass cover - stood in the center. Placed on top of the table were the rebbe's stationery and writing utensils, books and documents, a bell and a lamp and other items. A telephone sat in the corner of the table.
Based on the enclosed letter of authenticity, the Rayatz used this phone in 1940-1944. It was replaced by a similar, newer model after the cord was torn by his wheelchair [due to his poor health, after arriving in the United States, the Rayatz needed a wheelchair for mobility]. The new telephone can be seen in video and photos documenting the U.S. citizenship ceremony of Rebbe Rayatz at 770 (16th Adar 1949) and it indeed highly resembles this phone (see enclosed photo).
14X14 cm. The mechanism was not inspected. Missing cover of mouthpiece. Minor damage. Tears to cords.
Pen of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, which he used in the 1940s.
Marked on nib: "Warranted U.S.A.".
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift... a pen used by my father in the early 1940's". The letter is dated September 10, 1989.
In 1939, with the outbreak of WWII, Rebbe Rayatz, his mother Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, his wife Rebbetzin Nechama Dina and his daughter Rebbetzin Chana and her husband, R. Shemaryahu Gurary were stranded in Warsaw under German occupation, their lives in great danger. After several months of travail and wandering, the rebbe and his entourage reached the United States on Tuesday 9th Adar II, 1940.
Following a short reception at the port, the Rayatz arrived at his temporary quarters – Room 609 at the Greystone Hotel on Broadway and 91st Street in Manhattan New York. About half a year later, the Rayatz and his entourage moved to 770 Eastern Parkway, in the center of the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. From his home at 770, the Rayatz reestablished the Chabad Chassidic court and its institutes. There he met community leaders and activists, held private audiences (yechidus) with Chassidim, wrote letters to all parts of the world and worked unceasingly to strengthen and support Judaism. The Rayatz continued his activities for ten years until his passing on 10th Shevat 1950.
12.5 cm. Good condition. Minor damage.
Six lechaim cups, purchased by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, in honor of the betrothal of his eldest daughter Chana to R. Shemaryahu Gurary, on 12th Tammuz 1920.
Silver, marked with Russian hallmarks [St. Petersburg?, early 20th century]. Engraved with foliate design. The letter G - initial of the surname Gurary – is engraved in the center of each cup.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift the six lechaim cups my parents bought me and my choson when we got engaged. The added the letter G in calligraphy alphabet because my new last name would be Gourary. Both parents and us choson and kallah drank a lechaim from these cups". The letter is dated November 5, 1989. Enclosed is a large wooden box which was possibly used by the Rebbe Rayatz or his family [the box was given together with these cups, however, it is not mentioned in the letter of authenticity].
In autumn 1915, during WWI, the German enemy approached Smolensk, close to Lubavitch, and Rebbe Rashab and his entourage were forced to flee the town which was home to his great-grandfather the Mitteler Rebbe since 1813. After several days of wandering, he settled in Rostov-on-Don in south-western Russia and lived there for four years.
Before his death on 2nd Nissan 1920, the Rashab chose Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag), son of R. Menachem Mendel Gurary of Kremenchuk, for his eldest granddaughter Rebbetzin Chana. They became engaged in Rostov-on-Don on 12th Tamuz 1920, three months after the death of the Rashab.
The joy, elegance and splendor of the betrothal party is described in the book Shemuot VeSipurim: "The Rebbe circled the room and gave out drinks and food to each and every participant… Not many people attended because at that time, Rostov was isolated from the world, however the room reverberated with joy and one could see the countenance of the Rebbe glow with happiness....". Based on the enclosed letter of authenticity, these six cups were purchased by the Rebbe in honor of the betrothal party. The groom and bride and their parents all drank lechaim from these cups.
The wedding took place about one year later, on 11th Sivan 1921. Due to the difficult situation in Russia at that time, the wedding was a modest and small affair, and took place in the courtyard of Rebbe Rayatz in Rostov.
The book Shemuot VeSipurim describes the despondent atmosphere at the wedding: hearing Niggun Daled Bovos played at the wedding, Rebbe Rayatz wept and thumped the table with his hand. The Rashab's chair stood empty at the head of the table in the same place as in the past, and no one touched it. The mood was so morose that no one even danced.
10 cm. Good condition. Minor damage.
Siddur Tehillat Hashem, year-round prayers according to the Chabad rite, with Tehillim (and with an anthology of letters on the virtue of reciting Tehillim by the Rebbe Rayatz). Brooklyn, "The Ten Days of Repentance 1978". Published by Kehot Publication Society.
Pocket edition. The Lubavitcher Rebbe's signature appears on inside front cover (at the top right corner).
On 9th Tishrei 1978, the Rebbe instructed his secretary R. Yehuda Leib Groner to print this siddur.
Guests who visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe's court during Tishrei 1978, were privileged to receive a special souvenir – the men received a Tanya bearing the Rebbe's signature at the back, and the women received a siddur with the Rebbe's signature at the front.
736, [1] pp. approx. 11.5 cm. Fair condition. The siddur with its original soft cover (without the spine) was rebound in a hard cover, with new endpapers. Stains, some dark, and wear. Marginal tears, including open tears, affecting text (primarily of the first leaves). Inscriptions (pen) and marks (marker) to margins and on text. Traces of adhesive tape. Margins trimmed close to text, affecting the text in several places. The original front cover (with the Rebbe's signature), the title page and the first leaf are taped with strips of adhesive tape.
Eight issues of the weekly newspaper The Jewish Week (the weekly, established in the late 1970s, is targeted towards the Jewish community of the metropolitan New York City area): Vol. 201, issues 46 and 49; Vol. 202, issue no. 10-11 and issue nos. 17, 22, 26, 29 and 30. New York, March-December 1989.
Original printed subscriber's label on the front page of each issue, with the name and address of Rebbetzin Mina Gourary, wife of R. Shalom Ber (Barry) Gurary, grandson of Rebbe Rayatz: "Ms. Mina Gourary, 187 Gates Avenue, Montclair, NJ".
8 issues (number of pages varies; each issue is in its original nylon cover). Approx. 40 cm. Overall good condition.
Unknown photograph of R. Avraham Schneerson, son of Rebbe Yisrael Noach of Nizhyn and grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek; mechutan of the Rebbe Rashab and father-in-law of Rebbe Rayatz – his daughter Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah married the Rebbe Rayatz; grandfather of the sisters Rebbetzin Chana Gurary, Chaya Mushka Schneerson and Sheina Hornstein.
The photograph was presumably taken in the yard outside of Rabbi Avraham Schneerson's house in Kishinev.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift... a photo of my grandfather Avraham Schneerson. I was very close to him". The letter is dated November 5, 1989.
R. Avraham Schneerson, eldest son of Rebbe Yisrael Noach (the Maharin) of Nizhyn and grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek; maternal great-grandson of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev. Born in Lubavitch in Sivan 1860, in the lifetime of his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek. After his wedding in 1875, he lived near his father-in-law in Kishinev, Romania (today capital city of Republic of Moldova) studying Torah at day and at night.
R. Avraham was the mechutan of his cousin the Rebbe Rashab. On 28th Sivan 1896, his daughter Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah became engaged to Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz. The wedding took place one year later on Friday, 13th Elul 1897. On one occasion, the Rashab told his son the Rayatz that the traits of truth and modesty can be learned from his father-in-law, R. Avraham.
After the passing of his father, the Maharin of Nizhyn in 1883, R. Avraham refused to succeed him as rebbe and became close to Rebbe Rashab.
In 1929, R. Avraham arrived in Warsaw to attend the wedding of his granddaughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka with R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, later the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The groom's father R. Levi Yitzchak did not attend the wedding and R. Avraham sat at the head of the head table next to the groom. As a wedding gift, R. Avraham gave the groom the Chanukah menorah which belonged to his father, the Maharin of Nizhyn. After the wedding, the Rayatz and his father-in-law travelled together by train to Riga to celebrate the sheva berachot.
R. Avraham lived in Kishinev his entire life, studying Torah and serving G-d. He made a living by producing and trading in wine, with the kashrut supervision of the Rayatz and of R. Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik. He led a close and long-lasting friendship with R. Yehuda Tzirelson (Chassid of R. Avraham's father, the Maharin), Chief Rabbi of Serbia and Kishinev and member of the Romanian parliament. R. Avraham was one of the leaders of the Chabad community of Kishinev. He died on 2nd Cheshvan 1937. In 2002, his tombstone was discovered in the Jewish cemetery of Kishinev. In 2012 it was restored by the Chabad emissary in the city, R. Zalman Abelsky.
Photograph: approx. 12.5X18 cm. Mounted on card (card cut and torn at edges). Good condition. Minor damage to photograph. Silvering to edges.