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)
Unknown photo of Rebbetzin Tzila Schneerson taken in her youth. Rebbetzin Tzila, wife of R. Ben Zion Schneerson – brother of Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah Schneerson, wife of Rebbe Rayatz, was the aunt of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka and of her husband Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitch Rebbe.
Oval photograph, mounted on card.
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 aunt Tzila Schneerson. She was the wife of my mother's brother Benzion. Me and my sisters were very fond of her". The letter is dated November 12, 1989.
Rebbetzin Tzila Schneerson (ca. 1904-2005), daughter of R. Moshe Horowitz (descendent of the Shla), married Ben Zion Schneerson (1897-1977), great-grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek (son of R. Avraham Schneerson of Kishinev) in 1933. Her sister-in-law (her husband's sister) Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah Schneerson married Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch.
After WWII, R. Ben Zion and his wife Tzila lived in Romania. In 1956, they immigrated to Israel and settled in Tel Aviv. Towards Tishrei 1956, R. Ben Zion travelled to New York to visit his sister Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah, his nieces - the sisters Rebbetzin Chana and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, and his nephews - the Rashag and the Lubavitcher Rebbe (the Rebbe and Rebbetzins Chana and Chaya Mushka greeted him at the airport and the Rebbe even carried his baggage). Throughout the years, R. Ben Zion and Rebbetzin Tzila kept close contact with Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah and with their nieces and nephews. After the passing of R. Ben Zion, on 16th Tevet 1976, the Lubavitcher Rebbe and his wife took care of Rebbetzin Tzila, speaking to her periodically by phone.
Rebbetzin Tzila passed away on 29th Kislev 2005, at the ripe age of close to 102 years. She was buried in the Chabad cemetery plot on the Mount of Olives (Har HaZeitim) in Jerusalem, next to her husband R. Ben Zion. The couple was childless. In honor of Rebbezin Tzila's first yahrzeit, the Lubavitch Women's Organization dedicated a Torah scroll in their memory.
Photograph: approx. 7 cm. Mounted on card (edges of card cut on border of photo). Good condition. Minor damage (primarily to the verso of cardboard).
Dough bowl used by Rebbetzin Rivkah (Wife of the Maharash) and of Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah (Wife of the Rashab) in Lubavitch for baking challot.
Wooden dough bowl (France, last quarter of the 19th century).
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz, granddaughter of Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah and great-granddaughter of Rebbetzin Rivkah: "I hereby gift the wooden dough bowl that my great-greatmother rebbetzin Rivkah [and] grandmother rebbetzin Shterna Sarah used in Lubavitch to bake challah". The letter is dated November 5, 1989.
Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneersohn, mother of Rebbe Rashab and grandmother of Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. Born in 1833 to Rebbetzin Sarah, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch and to R. Aharon Alexander of Shklow. She was orphaned of both her parents at a young age, and was raised by her grandmother, Rebbetzin Sheina, wife of the Mitteler Rebbe (he himself passed away before she was born, in 1828). In 1849 she married Rebbe Maharash. After the wedding, Rebbetzin Rivkah assisted her husband in all communal matters. She was responsible for the finances of the rebbe's court, and was in charge of distributing the Maamad funds (charity given by Chassidim to support the rebbe's court). She was also very active in supporting the students of the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch. She supervised the boys' eating and sleeping arrangements, inquired about their wellbeing and made sure they could study diligently without material worries. She was known as a "Baalat Shemuah" and was the source of many stories on the history of the Chabad Chassidut and its rebbes. Her grandson Rebbe Rayatz would visit her regularly to hear her stories, as instructed by his father Rebbe Rashab. Many of these stories were later published in the books of the Rayatz – Sefer HaZichronot, Likutei Diburim, Sefer HaSichot, and others.
Her father-in-law, the Tzemach Tzedek blessed her with longevity, and Rebbetzin Rivkah indeed lived to the ripe old age of eighty, passing away on Erev Shabbat 10th Shevat 1914. She was buried in Lubavitch, close to the gravesite of her father-in-law the Tzemach Tzedek and her husband the Maharash. In a letter to his daughter-in-law and grandsons, her son the Rashab wrote: "There are no words sufficient to describe our great loss. A great and holy light was removed from our home… I am consoled only by the clear knowledge that she is still with us now, and wherever we are, she is there with us" (Igrot Kodesh of Rebbe Rashab, part II p. 781). The Beit Rivkah network of educational institutions were established in her memory.
Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rashab and mother of Rebbe Rayatz. Born in 1860 to Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak of Ovruch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek. Her mother was the daughter of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe. In 1865, she became engaged to the Rashab. The betrothal was celebrated in the home of the Tzemach Tzedek (the groom and bride were both five years old). The couple were wed ten years later, in 1875. She stood beside her husband and assisted him in all communal matters. She was very active in supporting the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva, and established an international women's organization in support of the students of the boys' schools of Lubavitch. In 1940, she escaped occupied Warsaw to the United States together with her only son Rebbe Rayatz. She passed away on 13th Shevat 1942, and was buried in New York. The Beit Sarah network of girls' schools was named after her.
14X39X83.5 cm. Good condition. Minor damage.
Copper bowl used by Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah (wife of the Rashab) in Lubavitch for rising dough.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz, granddaughter of Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah: "I hereby gift... the copper dough bowl used by my grandmother Shterna Sarah. She had a wooden dough bowl to knead the challah [See previous item]. She also had this copper bowl she used so the dough would rise. From my earliest memory I remember this dough bowl". The letter is dated December 10, 1989.
Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rashab and mother of Rebbe Rayatz. Born in 1860 to Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak of Ovruch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek. Her mother was the daughter of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe. In 1865, she became engaged to the Rashab. The betrothal was celebrated in the home of the Tzemach Tzedek (the groom and bride were both five years old). The couple were wed ten years later, in 1875. She stood beside her husband and assisted him in all communal matters. She was very active in supporting the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva, and established an international women's organization in support of the students of the boys' schools of Lubavitch. In 1940, she escaped occupied Warsaw to the United States together with her only son Rebbe Rayatz. She passed away on 13th Shevat 1942, and was buried in New York. The Beit Sarah network of girls' schools was named after her.
14.5X32.5 cm. Good condition. Minor damage.
Small coin purse used by Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneerson (wife of Rebbe Rashab) after her arrival in the United States in Adar 1940, until her death on 13th Shevat 1942.
Small purse, made of metal, fabric and mother-of-pearl. With chain handle. Floral design and the inscription "Forget [me] not" on the front.
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 Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah: "I hereby gift... the coin purse used by my grandmother Shterna Sarah from when she arrived to the United States until she passed away". The letter is dated September 17, 1989.
Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rashab and mother of Rebbe Rayatz. Born in 1860 to Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak of Ovruch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek. Her mother was the daughter of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe. In 1865, she became engaged to the Rashab. The betrothal was celebrated in the home of the Tzemach Tzedek (the groom and bride were both five years old). The couple were wed ten years later, in 1875. She stood beside her husband and assisted him in all communal matters. She was very active in supporting the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva, and established an international women's organization in support of the students of the boys' schools of Lubavitch. In 1940, she escaped occupied Warsaw to the United States together with her only son Rebbe Rayatz. She passed away on 13th Shevat 1942, and was buried in New York. The Beit Sarah network of girls' schools was named after her.
Approx. 4X5.5 cm. Good condition. Minor damage. Chipping to mother-of-pearl.
Purse used by Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson (the Rebbe's mother) and later by the sisters Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson (the Rebbe's wife) and Rebbetzin Chana Gurary.
Black, patent leather purse, with gold toned trim and clasp, made by After Five (United States, 1950s).
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 leather purse that my sister's mother-in-law - Chana used. My sister and I also used it in the 1960's". The letter is dated November 12, 1989.
Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson (1880-1964) mother of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson – the Lubavitcher Rebbe and daughter of the rabbi of Mykolaiv (Ukraine) R. Meir Shlomo and his wife, Rebbetzin Rachel Yanovsky. Married R. Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, and with utmost devotion joined him in fearlessly spreading Judaism under the communist rule, first in Ekaterinoslav and later in his exile to Chiali, Kazakhstan. During this time, she produced ink from weeds, to enable her husband to write his Torah novellae, and later risked her life by carrying his writings while traveling from place to place. These writings were later printed in his series of books Likutei Levi Yitzchak on the Zohar. R. Levi Yitzchak passed away in Alma-Ata (Almaty), Kazakhstan in 1944.
In 1946, Rebbetzin Chana crossed the Russian border to Poland, and reached Paris in Adar 1947. Upon hearing the news of his mother's arrival in Paris, her son, Rebbe Menachem Mendel, who was already living in Brooklyn, immediately boarded a plane to meet his mother, who had been confined behind the Iron Curtain and whom he had not seen for 20 years. The Rebbe stayed in Paris for three months to arrange all the necessary authorizations for her immigration to the United States and in Sivan, embarked with his mother on a ship to the US. After her arrival in the United States, Rebbetzin Chana lived near her son and near 770, on the corner of President St. and Kingstone St. no. 1418 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. Some three years later, the Rayatz died and Rebbe Menachem Mendel became the Rebbe of Chabad. Rebbetzin Chana was very involved in the lives of the Chassidim and in the various Chabad activities and served on the board of Chabad women's organization in the United States.
She passed away on Shabbat, 6th Tishrei 1964 and is buried near the Rayatz and the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Beit Chana network of girls' schools was named after her.
Approx. 14X26 cm. Good condition. Minor damage.
A woman's mechanical watch made by Dorset, Switzerland (band made by Speidel).
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by her sister Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991): "I hereby gift... the Dorset 17 jewels watch worn by my sister and I in the 1950's". The letter is dated November 5, 1989.
Body of watch: Approx. 1.5X2 cm. Good condition. Mechanism not tested (watch appears to work). Minor damage.
Beadlite mesh purse, made by Whiting and Davis (model 2906), United States, ca. 1930s.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by her sister Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991): "I hereby gift... the gold and white beaded purse made by Whiting and Davis company, my sister and I used in the 1940's". The letter is dated December 10, 1989.
Approx. 10X23 cm. Good condition. Minor damage.
Gold-toned brooch, set with faux pearls and rhinestones, worn by Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and by her sister Rebbetzin Chana Gurary, wife of R. Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag), daughters of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991): "I hereby gift... the brooch with pearls and rhinestones that my sister and I wore in the late 1950s – early 1960's". The letter is dated December 10, 1989.
For more brooches of a similar design worn by Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka see: Kedem, online auction 32, lot 14; online auction 35, lot 22.
Approx. 6X6 cm. Good condition.
Long, camel hair coat (made by Fleurette of California, ca. 1940s).
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 coat worn by my sister and I". The letter is dated September 17, 1989.
Good condition. Creases. Minor damage.
Made by James S. Lee & Co.
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… this outfit that my sister and I both wore in the 1960's". The letter is dated 12th September 1989.
Good condition. Minor damage.
"Maamar Baruch She'asa Nissim" (1904) with two one-dollar bills for charity distributed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York: Kehot Publication Society, 1991. "Forty years of the Rebbe's leadership".
Inscription on title page and on both bills: "From the hand of the Rebbe".
The Maamar "Baruch She'asa Nissim” was delivered by the Rebbe Rashab on 19th Kislev 1903, during a gathering (hitvaadut) which took place at the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch, and was recorded in writing by his son Rebbe Rayatz, with the addition of the latter's explanations. The essay was first printed in this booklet, directly from the manuscript of the Rayatz, in honor of Yud Shevat – the yahrzeit of Rebbe Rayatz and the day the mantle of leadership was placed on the shoulders of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The booklets were distributed by the Rebbe with two one-dollar bills for charity.
20 pp., ca. 23 cm. Good condition. Minor stains to cover.
"Kuntres Maamarim 5682", with two one-dollar bills for charity, distributed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York: Kehot Publication Society, 1992. "Marking 90 years to the birth of the Rebbe".
Inscription on title page and on both bills: "From the hand of the Rebbe".
The Lubavitch Rebbe instructed to print the booklet in honor of the yahrzeit of his father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz on Yud Shevat. It includes three Chassidic maamarim delivered by the Rayatz in 1921, which were recorded in writing. The kuntres opens with a printed portrait of the Rebbe Rayatz. On the eve of Yud Shevat 1992, the Rebbe distributed this booklet with two one-dollar bills for charity.
59, [1] pp., approx. 23 cm. Good condition.