Bidspirit auction | Siddur HaShelah of the Chassid

Siddur HaShelah of the Chassid Rabbi Alter Ben-Zion Crosskop of Breslov with His Handwritten Signature - ”אני ורבי אלטר בן ציון ויעקב זאב ורבי ישראל דוב [אודסר], שגודל אהבתנו זה לזה, אי אפשר לשער במוח אנושי כלל, כי כל אחד מאיתנו היה מוכן להקריב את עצמו בשביל חברו... וכשהיו רואים אחד את השני, ממש היינו מחבקים ומנשקים זה לזה וזולגים עינינו דמעות מרוב אהבה וחיבה”. [I and Rabbi Alter Ben-Zion, and Yaakov Ze'ev, and Rabbi Yisrael Dov [Odesser], the greatness of our love for one another is entirely impossible for the human mind to fathom, for each one of us was ready to sacrifice himself for his friend... And when we would see one another, we would literally embrace and kiss each other, and tears would flow from our eyes out of an excess of love and affection] (His leading disciple Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz) Siddur Sha'ar Hashamayim [Siddur HaShelah], containing the prayers for all year round, Yamim Nora;im and the Passover Haggadah, by Rabbi Yeshaya Halevi author of the Shelah Hakadosh - the Siddur that was used by leading Admorim and Mekubalim for prayer, following tje promise of Rabbi Yoel Sirkish author of the Bayit Chadash, that anyone who prays from it - his prayer is herad.  This is a most exciting Breslov item: the personal Siddur of the  Gaon Rabbi Alter Ben-Zion Crosskop Breslover, a central Breslov Chassid in Poland and Eretz Yisrael, the Rav of the famed Chassid Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz and a memeber of the group of Ovdei Hashem that included Rabbi Yisrael Dov Odesser and Rabbi Yaakov Zeev Brazsky.  Based on the place and year of printing - Warsaw, 1882 - and the many marks of usage, the Siddur, apparently, was used by Rabbi Alter Ben-Zion for dozens of years, from the time he lived in Poland until he immigrated to Jerusalem. Almost every leaf bears the marks of a wonderful Avodat Hashem: many marks of usage, tear stains and stains of Kiddush wine.  On the front flyleaf, his handwritten signature: ”אלטר בן ציון בן נעכא קרוסקאפף ברסלבר”. Alomgside it, many names were written by disciples and relatives, who asked that he mention them in his prayers for Segulah and blessing. Among the names is also ”Rachel Horowitz”, apparently the wife or daughter of his leading disciple - the Saraf Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz.  Throughout the Siddur, there are many marks of usage, indicating the deep prayers and Avodah of Rabbi Alter Ben-Zion. It is fascinating to realize that in the places that are favored by Breslov Chassidim, the leaves are actually stained with tears, which appear on the leaves of the Korbanot preceding Shacharit, the Sabbath Kiddush and Azamer Bishvachin, which also have wine stains on them; of Nishmat; the Zemirot for Motza'ei Shabbat; the Achot Ketanah prayer for the eve of Rosh Hashanah and the Kiddush for Rosh Hashanah (see pictures).  Siddur Sha'ar Hashamayim [Siddur HaShelah], with Derech Chaim. [Warsaw, 1882]. 694, [2] pp. Without the title page. Some of the leaves are worn; possibly, some are missing.  Fair-good condition. Many marks of usage throughout the Siddur.  Personal items of Rabbi Alter Ben-Zion Crosskop are extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, his personal copies have almost never been auctioned.  ________________________ Siddur HaShelah - Segulah for prayers to be accepted In the Shelah's will, which is printed at the beginning of the Siddur, it is written: ”...ואז עלה במחשבתי לחבר חיבור הקודש הזה, כדי שיהיה נדפס, שיתפשט בכל תפוצות ישראל, כדי שיהיה לי זכות וחלק בכל תפילות ישראל”. Praying from this Siddur has a special Segulah that the prayer will be heard and accepted, as written by the Baal Habayit Chadash in his approbation for the Siddur:  ”כי אין ספק אצלנו כשיתפשטו בקרב ישראל, כל מי שמתפלל בתוכו שאין תפילתו חוזרת ריקם” [...whoever prays from this Siddur, his prayer is heard].  The first Admor of Sadigure writes similar words in the approbation appearing in this edition too: ”אין ספק אצלינו שכל המתפלל בו תפילתו לא תשוב ריקם”. Rabbi Naftali Katz author of the Semichat Chachamim writes that the author instructed his offspring to publish the Siddur to merit the many to pray from this Siddur with these Kavanot and if they do so, their prayers will be heard and accepted.  ___________________ The famed Chassid Rabbi Alter Ben-Zion Crosskop was born in Poland and was one of the first Breslov Chassidim who immigrated to Eretz Yisrael, settling in Jerusalem. Shortly after his Aliyah, Rabbi Yaakov Zeev Brazsky joined him and the two became a regular Chavruta studying Torah. On their trips to Meiron, they became connected to Rabbi Yisrael Dov Odesser and Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz and the four became a wonderous group of Ovdei Hashem.  In 1924, Rabbi Alter married the widow of Rabbi Yaakov Zeev Brazsky and the Chupah was held in the Schul of the Breslov Chassidim in Meah She'arim. Rabbi Alter passed away in 1954.  (Source: the Sha'ar Breslov website)