PHOTOS: A Rare Look at Items from the Home of the Late Lubavitcher Rebbe Up For Auction

[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Various Tableware, Lubavitcher Rebbe ZT”L ZY”A and Rebitzen Chaya Mushka used in their house, are currently presented around Gimmel Tammuz, in Jerusalem alongside other additional rare artifacts connected to Chabad. Among the artifacts, there is a silver spoon used by the Rebbe and Rebitzen, a first edition Tanya and a manuscript of the Mamorim of the Alter Rebbe – both written while he was still alive. The artifacts are currently presented in the Kedem Auction House and they will be up for sale in a two week time.

The Rebbe and Rebitzen’s tableware include a silver spoon with the letter “S” engraved on its handle (standing for Schneerson), a splendid silver tray with the initials “MS” (standing for Rebitzen Mushka Schneerson) engraved at its center, an embroidered napkin glass, silver serving dishes and a napkin holder. Over the years these dishes were given by the Rebitzen to her good friend who lived in Crown Heights, and from there they ended up in the auction house. The total opening prices of these dishes is some 20,000 US dollars.

The dishes are a part of a whole category dedicated to Chabad in the Kedem Auction House’s catalogue, one of the world’s largest Judaica auction houses. Other artifacts in this chapter are first edition Tanya published in Slavita in 1796 – during the life of the Alter Rebbe; a manuscript of the Ma’amorim of the Alter Rebbe written during his lifetime in 1802; first lithograph of the portrait of the Tzemach Tzedek, from 1886 made in Vilnius; a letter by the Rebbe Rayatz from the last year of his life with his special signature for that year in which he incorporated “yud ashurit” to his second name hinting to his future day of passing on Yud Shevat; and other books with the Rebbe’s signature, letters, dollars etc.

Avishai Galer, one of the owners of the Kedem Auction House, says that “this is not the first time that we publicly present artifacts connected to Chabad. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that these artifacts are exceptionally unique and they pique much interest among Chabad congregations worldwide”.