Bidspirit auction | Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and

Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur of the Breslover Saraf Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz - A unique Breslover item of Kedushah: Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that had belonged to the Breslover Saraf Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz. His handwritten signature, ”שמואל הורוויץ”, appears on the first leaf.  In the Breslov Chassidut, Rosh Hashanah is the most important, sacred and central day of the year. In accordance with the clear-cut statement of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov: ”ראש השנה שלי עולה על הכל” and his historical promise to act for a good year for his Chassidim and for the Tikkun of their souls, for generations, Chassidim have been travelling to his Tziyun in Uman on Rosh Hashanah.  This Machzor is living proof of the dark days of Messirut Nefesh during which Breslov Chassidim practically risked their lives to travel to Uman on Rosh Hashanah.  Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz' story and this Machzor are both intertwined with utmost devotion. להלן תרגום מדויק וקולח לאנגלית, השומר על הטון ההיסטורי והמונחים המקובלים: In 1928, driven by longings and yearnings that ”no mind can possibly fathom or estimate”, Rabbi Shmuel left Mandatory Palestine and traveled to Poland. Despite warnings from the Chassidim about the grave danger, he resolved to smuggle himself across the border into the Communist Soviet Union - all to merit praying at the Tziyun of Rabbeinu in Uman. After many hardships, he indeed reached Uman; however, in the winter of 1932, as he attempted to leave, he was arrested by the G.P.U. (the Soviet secret police) and accused of spying for Britain - a charge that in those days carried the death penalty. Rabbi Shmuel spent long months in the brutal Soviet prison, enduring severe torments, until an international media outcry, along with direct intervention by the British ambassador in Moscow and rabbis from around the world, secured his release and deportation back to Mandatory Palestine.  LIke many prayer books that are well worn from use, the title page of Rosh Hashanah is missing from this copy; the one of Yom Kippur, however, exists. The place and year of prnting do not appear on the book; the type of paper and fonts, however, indicate it was printed in the mid-19th century.  Apparently, this Machzor accompanied Rabbi Shmuel on his journies to Uman and was the only witness to his secret prayers under the Communist regime.  How much did Rabbi Shmuel appreciate the merit of praying in Uman? So much so that he adamantly refused to sell to his friend, Rabbi Shmuel Shapira, the single saying of even the Tikkun Haklali from that trip - even not for his entire share in the World to Come! The Machzor has many stains of usage and tears indicating the enthusiastic Avodat Hashem of Rabbi Shmuek.  4-224; 254 pp. 14 cm. Ancient binding.  Good condition. Many stains of usage. Some tears.