Bidspirit auction | A unknown and extremely rare

A unknown and extremely rare invitation to the Rebbes wedding * Original Wedding Invitation of the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, Daughter of the Rayatz. Warsaw, 1928 “This is the day that tied me to you, and you to me.” The marriage of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rebbetzin marked a defining moment in the history of Lubavitch. The wedding took place on 14 Kislev 5689 (1929) at the “fifth hour” in the courtyard of the Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Warsaw, Poland, and was celebrated by Rabbanim, Admorim and throngs of Chabad chassidim. This event marked the beginning of the seventh link in the golden chain of Chabad and the seventh arm of the menorah representing Chabad leaders. Presented here is the original invitation issued by the Rebbe Rayatz, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, in honor of the wedding of his daughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, to his son-in-law, the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. This large-format invitation was specifically for those unable to attend the wedding in person due to distance. In the invitation, the Rebbe Rayatz requests: “Our dear friends… may Hashem be with them and grant them life - are kindly requested to designate a specific and distinct place for blessing… a gathering spot where all our brethren and those who cherish Torah may gather in a circle of friends and companions, in love and brotherhood, with joy and gladness.” He then offers a reciprocal blessing to those chassidim who are blessing him on this occasion: “And I pray that their blessings be accepted.  Whoever blesses - may Hashem bless him, His household, his offspring and their offspring, With an abundance of life and overflowing blessing in both gashmiyus and ruchniyus. And may Hashem soon fulfill the words of their blessings, And may we meet face to face in joy and gladness of heart, In the merit of Hashem’s servants, our holy forefathers of blessed memory May their merit shield us, our children, and our children’s children forever.” He concludes: “And I remain your devoted friend, who desires your wellbeing and success, and blesses them with all that is good, in both gashmiyus and ruchniyus, Yosef Yitzchak.” A rare and exceptional invitation. To the best of Zaidy's knowledge, it has never appeared before in any public auction! For the wedding, the Rebbe Rayatz personally composed at least four different types of invitations (!), which were sent according to the category of the recipient: Version A – A private invitation for Rebbes, prominent chassidim, and distinguished individuals Version B – A general invitation for Chabad communities around the world who could not attend, but deeply wished to take part in the celebration from afar Version C – A general invitation Version D – A general-personal invitation addressed to Chabad members in each city (with the city’s name printed at the top of each invitation) The version before us is Version B, the longest of all the formats, and likely the rarest of them all! Warsaw, 1928. The entire document is an original photographic print: most of the text was written by a scribe, while the final two lines are in the Rebbe Rayatz’s own handwriting (all in photocopy, as noted). Size: 22.3 × 34.8 cm. Condition: Good. Minor artistic restorations in the margins and fold marks. _________________ Years later, the Lubavitcher Rebbe once spoke on his anniversary, on the 14th of Kislev 5714 (1953), and expressed: “This is the day which bound me to you, and you to me, and together we shall strive and bring the true and complete redemption.” (Toras Menachem, Vol. 18, p. 206)