Bidspirit auction | The Bas Ayin’s Holy Handwritten

The Bas Ayin’s Holy Handwritten Signature for the Arizal Shul in Tzfas 1840 * A rare signature of the saintly Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritch, author of the 'Bas Ayin'. A deed of sale and possession of a designated seat in the revered synagogue of the Arizal in the holy city of Tzfas, certified and confirmed in the holy handwriting and with the signature of Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritch, author of the holy sefer 'Bas Ayin'. At the bottom of the document, under the signatures of the trustees, it is noted: “And for further validity and strength, the holy Rabbi has likewise affixed his signature.” Indeed, on the reverse of the leaf, the Bas Ayin wrote and signed in his own hand: “The sale detailed on the other side of the leaf is valid and binding.So is declared by Avraham Dov of Avritch, residing in the holy city of Tzfas, may it be built and established speedily in our days, Amen.” The holy Admor Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritch (c. 1765-1841) was one of the exalted Chassidic Admorim and legendary figures in the era of second-generation disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch. Known as a wonder-worker, miracles and open salvations emerged from his sanctified chambers. Rabbi Avraham Dov was the prime disciple of Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl, author of 'Me'or Einayim', and his son Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl. Rabbi Avraham Dov served as Rav in Avritch for forty years, and became known by the city's name. A deep love for Eretz Yisrael burned within him, and in 1831, he journeyed to the holy city of Tzfas, where his name became forever linked with the city. He was quickly appointed leader of the Chassidic community, guiding them through their most trying times - like an angel from Heaven, bearing the burden with fatherly compassion. He stood at the helm during the uprising of the fellahin (1834), the Druze revolt (1838), and most notably, the devastating earthquake of 1837. In 1841, a devastating plague struck Tzfas and claimed many lives, including that of Rabbi Avraham Dov himself. Before his passing, he declared, “I will be the final victim of the plague”. And so it was - with his passing, the plague subsided. Rabbi Avraham Dov's teachings were published in the holy sefer 'Bas Ayin' which is one of the foundational Chassidic sefarim. From the moment the sefer appeared, it never left the tables of Chassidic tzaddikim, who treasured it. It is said that learning it is auspicious for personal salvation, as alluded to in its name ‘בת עין’ which is an acronym for י'שראל נ'ושע ב'ה' ת'שועת ע'ולמים, Yisrael is saved by Hashem with an eternal salvation. The document is signed by “the trustees and those engaged in the construction and repair of the synagogue, ” who were among the leaders of the Chassidic community in Tzfas: Rabbi Yaakov son of Rabbi Zvi Rabbi Yaakov Meir, son of the holy Rabbi David z”l Rabbi Ze’ev Wolf son of Rabbi Chaim Tzvi, z”l Rabbi Yosef son of Rabbi Ze’ev (signed on his behalf) Rabbi Isaac Leib of Drobitch In the most recent edition of 'Bas Ayin' (Ohr LeYesharim, 2022), letters and documents from the author were collected, but this bill of sale is absent and to the best of Genazym's knowledge has never been published. Tzfas, 12 Elul 1840. Leaf size: 15 × 21 cm. Condition: Good. The Bas Ayin and the Jews of Tzfas The lives of the Jews in Tzfas during that period were far from easy. They faced poverty, illnesses, and, above all, lived in constant fear of the murderous Arabs, the Fellahin, and the Druze. From the day the holy Bas Ayin settled in Tzfas, he became a source of salvation and comfort for its Jewish inhabitants. Like a compassionate father to his children, he took care of their livelihoods, tended to the sick, and stood with strength and determination to protect the people of Tzfas from every oppressor and enemy. The elders of Tzfas recounted countless stories of his extraordinary deeds, including miraculous wonders he performed (see ”Eden Tziyon” by Rabbi Yehoshua HaLevi Horowitz of Tzfas, pp. 3–6). This was most notable during the great earthquake that struck Tzfas in 1837, when his awe-inspiring powers were witnessed openly. He called upon all those present in the beis midrash to gather around him, and the roof above that spot remained standing—almost suspended in mid-air—while the rest of the beis midrash collapsed. All those near him were miraculously saved. To this day, an inscription is engraved in stone within his beis midrash, known as the ”Avritcher Shul”: ”How awesome is this place! The Beis Midrash of Rabbi Avraham Dov, the Rebbe of Avritch zt”l, who foresaw the great earthquake in Tzfas in 1837. In his great merit, half the beis midrash was spared from destruction, and the Rebbe and his followers survived.”