Bidspirit auction | The Personal Bookcase of the

The Personal Bookcase of the Holy Rebbe Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman of Sadigura, Author of Avir Yaakov - ”That which we find as the practice of the righteous, our masters and forefathers, who esteemed objects used by tzaddikim, and that certain tzaddikim and chassidim paid vast sums for such items... The source is in the Jerusalem Talmud, which states that an object used by a tzaddik, even if it is a physical item, grants wisdom to those who possess it, and even more so brings material blessings in this world.” (Minchat Elazar of Munkács) The Personal Bookcase of the Holy Rebbe Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman of Sadigura, Author of Avir Yaakov – Housing His Kabbalistic Library and the Sacred Heirlooms of His Forefathers An impressive antique bookcase of reddish wood, which stood in the reception room of the holy Rebbe Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman of Sadigura, author of Avir Yaakov, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and one of the foremost Hasidic leaders in the Land of Israel. A true “Ruzhiner Seforim-Shank” – one of the distinctive stately bookcases characteristic of the courts of the Ruzhin dynasty, used to house sacred books, kabbalistic works, manuscripts, treasured ritual objects, and precious family heirlooms passed down through generations of the Rebbes. Accompanying the piece is a signed statement from the seller documenting its chain of ownership: Following the passing of the Avir Yaakov, who left no descendants, the administration of his estate was undertaken by his relative, the Rebbe of Kopychyntsi, then residing in the United States. The bookcase offered here was subsequently presented by him to the Boyan Hasidic kloyz in Ashdod. After the synagogue closed, the bookcase passed into the possession of its longtime gabbai, Rabbi Asher Rabinowitz. An additional letter from the son of the Rebbe of Kopychyntsi confirming the provenance will be provided to the purchaser. The present Rebbe of Kopychyntsi, who was raised in the home of the Avir Yaakov, has personally testified that he vividly remembers this very bookcase standing in the Rebbe's home, where it housed his kabbalistic library together with the treasured heirlooms inherited from the Rebbes of the Ruzhin dynasty. An exceptionally rare artifact with extraordinary provenance, preserving the atmosphere of the royal household of the Ruzhin–Sadigura dynasty. More than an impressive antique piece of furniture, it is a tangible relic intimately connected with one of the foremost Hasidic leaders of the twentieth century, renowned for his sanctity, spiritual leadership, and wonder-working reputation. Dimensions: Height: 200 cm; Width: 45 cm; Depth: 40 cm. Upper section fitted with a glazed display cabinet. Fair condition, with light wear. Following modest restoration and conservation, it can be returned to its original appearance as an elegant and regal piece of furniture of remarkable historical and spiritual significance, while requiring relatively little space. ............................ The Saintly Admor, Rabbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura, the ‘Avir Yaakov’ (1884–1961) One of the most famous tzaddikim of his generation. He was the son of Rabbi Yisrael of Sadigura, who was the son of Rabbi Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura, the son of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, the founder of the Ruzhin dynasty, whose major branches include Sadigura, Chortkov, Husiatyn, Boyan, and others. He immigrated to Eretz Yisrael in 1938 (תרצ”ח). He was one of the leading figures of Agudath Israel, a key architect of its policies, and a prominent leader of organized Orthodox Jewry. He was one of the greatest members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and, for a short period, even served as its president. He passed away in 1961 (תשכ”א) without leaving any children. His Torah teachings were compiled in the book Avir Yaakov. The great sages of his time revered him, and their statements about him appear in the two-volume work Avir HaMalchut (Aryeh Becknerot, Jerusalem, 2004): The Yanuka of Stolin, Rabbi Yisrael, said about him: ”This young man is the very source of truth.” (p. 401) Rabbi Aharon of Belz once refused an additional attendant, stating: ”Here, nearby, lives a tzaddik in whose house the King of Israel once resided, and he has only one gabbai. And you expect me to take an additional one?” (p. 413) The Beit Yisrael of Ger declared: ”If the Sadigura Rebbe had even three chassidim, I would be one of them.” He also said of him: ”He is a guardian of the covenant.” (p. 428) The Admor Rabbi Moshe Mordechai of Lelov said: ”On Nachmani Street, where the Sadigura Rebbe lives, the Shechinah resides.” (p. 437) The Gaon of Tchebin once mentioned the Rebbe’s wife when she was unwell. (p. 428) The Chazon Ish advised someone who was worried about surgery: ”If you have consulted with the Sadigura Rebbe, why are you worried? Go ahead—the surgery will be successful.” (p. 447) The Power of Objects Used by Tzaddikim ...........................................