‘Rebbe’s Becher’ Up for Auction

Press release by Kedem Auction House:

The legendary becher used by the Rebbe for bentching and havdalah on Motzaei Yom Tov, as well as to pour wine from the “kos shel berachah” to chassidim, followers and admirers, is to be put up for public auction at the Kedem Auction House in Jerusalem.

The expected bid is hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Every Motzaei Yom Tov, including Rosh Hashanah, Simchas Torah, Acharon shel Pesach, and Shavuos, the Rebbe would recite Havdalah over the same becher that he had held when reciting Birkas Hamazon of the Yom Tov seudah. After drinking the majority of the wine, the Rebbe would stand for hours to pour shirayim from the mitzvah into the outstretched cups of chassidim who passed before him.

With a radiant smile and glowing features, the Rebbe would bless every Jew who passed before him, young and old, with the heartfelt blessing of “L’chaim u’l’vrachah.” Even in his later years when he neared the age of 90, he would stand on his feet for hours on end, sometimes until close to dawn.

His holy visage shining with joy and purity, he would occasionally stop and interrupt the ritual, using two hands to gesture animatedly and stimulate the crowd of chassidim to join in joyous song. Many miraculous stories have been told of individuals who experienced great yeshuos after receiving the Rebbe’s blessing at these sacred events.

Maron Eran, owner of Kedem Auction House, declares that “This is a magnificent historic item with profound sentimental value. This becher is symbolic of the great zechus acquired by those who were fortunate to bask in the presence of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and to the limitless bounty that he bestowed upon each and every member of Am Yisrael.”