By COLlive reporter
Photos by Ezra Landau
Tableware used by the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneeerson in their house in Crown Heights are currently up for sale at Kedem Auction House in Jerusalem.
Dishes include a silver spoon with the letter “S” engraved on its handle (standing for Schneerson), a silver tray with carvings and the initials “MS” (standing for the Rebbetzin’s name) at its center, an embroidered napkin, glass and silver serving dishes and a napkin holder.
According to Kedem, the dinnerware was given as a gift by the Rebbetzin herself to a good friend who lived in the neighborhood. Opening bids on the items are $20,000.
VIDEO:
Among the artifacts, there is a silver spoon used by the Rebbe and Rebbetzin, 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 catalog of Kedem, one of the world’s largest Judaica auction houses, features additional Chabad related artifacts in its upcoming auction on July 7, 2015.
There have a first edition of the Tanya published in Slavita in 1796, during the life of the Alter Rebbe, its author; a manuscript of the Maamorim of the Alter Rebbe written during his lifetime in 1802; and a first lithograph of the portrait of the Tzemach Tzedek from 1886 made in Vilnius.
They also have a letter by the Frierdiker Rebbe 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. This is in addition to books with the Rebbe’s signature, letters and dollars he distributed for charity.
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 communities worldwide.”
View the full catalog at kedem-auctions.com
Besides the many valuable points made about the their true source AND even if they may be stolen. what I find most distasteful is the concept of buying /selling these items. True Didan natzach is different ואכ”מל. And these items were apparently given away. Including HANDWRITTEN RESHIMOS!!! ETC THE Rebbe and Rebbetzen gave themselves over in totality to every human being! We belong to them, as they belong to us… These priceless items, are degraded by using the concept of capitalism and wealth, to acquire them. Just as Torah is an equal inheritance and birthright to all Yidden, תורה צוה… Read more »
like didan notzach
the rebbe is waiting for his chasiddim to do something to stop this chilul of the rebbe being sold
Wouldn’t the same apply to the Rebbe’s dollars most of us have, when the Rebbe, ZY”A, was with us? Yes, he gave them to you, so you have the right to do as you please them. But, HOW CAN YOU?!
This is unlike the Hay Teves case where the claim by B. Gurary, that he had reshus to take the sefarim, was denied by the Rebbetzin.
maybe we chassidim can collectively bid and donate these items to the library?
The place for all this is in the library of aguch!
Please reserve the Leichter Tray for me. Fradie Chein 7561406.
how can you prove the claims that this is from the Rebitzen and Rebbes house?
the tray looks to be silver plate, not sterling
The Maamorim were just given? does that raise a red flag with anyone & the hand written manuscripts including the letter by the Friederike Rebbe were these really just given?unfortunately I believe more like stolen or lifted possibly by certain individuals who know better but greed trumps all
Please someone buy it and give to me
“a gift by the Rebbetzin herself to a good friend who lived in the neighborhood”!???
if this “good friend” does not need such priceless items and decided to sell and make money – is quite embarrassing!
Unless these items were stolen R’L’ from the Rebbe’s house…
A museum needs to be made to preserve all these artifacts
א לעבדיקע באמבע
that someone could sell this. These items are priceless!!!!
We have items from the Rebbe’s house that was given to my family by the Rebbe as a personal gift.
I really hope these are not items that were “taken” from The Rebbes house and the ksovim were not taken from the library etc.
This can be very serious.
Does anyone have any insight?
Yes I read the article but during the Hey Teves saga…Im sure they could have said it was given as a “gift.”
What is number I want 2cAll him
If people need money, b”H we have more than enough wealthy people in Chabad who can help out…
I know times are tough but to sell such precious items? I guess the children of the friend don’t have any concept of how precious these items are. I wish I could afford to bid.