Photograph of Rabbi Tz. Matityahu shlit”a of Stefanesht, picture of the righteous rabbi, Rabbi Avraham Matityahu Friedman of Stefanesht – developed during his lifetime [according to what appears on the margins of the photograph].
The tzaddik Rabbi Avraham Matityahu Friedman of Stefanesht [1887-1933], known as “the tzaddik of Stefanesht” or, as he was called in Rumania: ‘the great rabbi of Stefanesht,” grandson of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. He was appointed Admor when he was 22 years old, after his father’s passing, and he led the chassidut for 64 years until his passing. He quickly became known as a tzaddik and great person, to the point that even gentiles would visit and consult with him, to be saved by way of his blessings. His chassidim were estimated to be in the thousands and his influence among all the Jews of Rumania was great. In a halachic responsum, Rabbi Betzalel Zeev Shafran wrote regarding him: “And who doesn’t know how great is the power of the holy elder of the Jews, son of kings of antiquity, servant of Hash-m in reverence and love, very reverent of Hash-m, and he is G-d’s prince in our midst, glory of our country … Not one of our brothers, the children of Israel, would dare go against his holy words” ( Shu”t HaRaba”z, part 1, Yoreh Deah, section 116).
His prayers extended hours, without emitting sound; on mussaf of Rosh HaShanah he would stand bowed two hours straight without moving a limb, and so it was during the lulav-shaking of Sukkot. Many miraculous stories were known about him in his generation and in ours, about many salvations, healing the sick, childless women bearing children and more. The Admor of Ribnitz and Rabbi Chaim Zanvil Avramowitz were among his chassidim.
His gravesite in Rumania served as a pilgrimage site for many. In 1969 his grave was moved to Israel and he was reburied in the section of the Admors of Ruzhin in the Nachalat Yitzchak cemetery in Tel Aviv.
13×9 cm. Divided on the back for use as a postcard. Stains, horizontal crack from end to end, moderate condition.
* Two cabinet photographs of a husband [rabbinical figure] and wife from Lodz [photographer’s details and location on the lower right] – framed in a wood and glass frame. 17×11 cm.
* Cabinet photograph of a Jewish rabbi. 17×11 cm.
* Large photograph of a Jewish family. 24×18 cm.
Overall fine condition.
Eight photographs of holy Admors of Vizhnitz.
Rare early photograph of the Damesek Eliezer , Rabbi Eliezer Hager [1891-1946]; the Yeshuot Moshe , Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager [1916-2012] – the fifth Admor; the Chochmat Elazar – Rabbi Elazar Hager [1925-2015] – the second Admor of Seret-Vizhnitz; a rare photograph of Rabbi Mordechai Hager [1922-2018] – the Admor of Vizhnitz-Monsey for 46 years – founder of this branch of Vizhnitz.
Two photographs sized 9×14 cm. Six photographs sized 10×7 cm.
Fine condition.
19 photographs of Rabbi Shach and Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach at various occasions.
Including: a photograph of Rabbi Shach in conference with Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky and Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, with the Admor of Belz, a number of photographs of him holding the four species during chol hamoed [intermediate days of] Sukkot prayers, studying Mishneh Berurah and more. There’s a large photograph of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach conferring with Rabbi Pinchas Scheinberg [25×18 cm], during Sukkot prayers holding the four species, in the courtyard of his home in Shaarei Chessed in Jerusalem, at an assembly celebrating the world Siyum HaShas and more.
Most of the photographs are 15×11 cm. Very fine condition.
Early photograph [about 1900] of the gaon Rabbi Naftali Hertz Krechmer, Rabbi Shach’s rabbi in his youth.
The righteous and genius Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Krechmer [1893-1913] head of the HaGaon R’ Hertzel yeshiva in Ponovezh, author of Noam HaMitzvot , served as a ritual slaughterer under the supervision of R’ Itzele of Ponovezh. His Noam HaMitzvot won Rabbi Simchah HaKohen of Dvinsk’s enthusiastic approbation, they were acquainted from his youth in Bialystock. Following the passing of his only son as a child, he accepted upon himself to dedicate his life to educating Jewish children. Eleven year old Elazar Menachem Shach studied in the junior yeshiva he had opened. Rabbi Shach would listen to his lectures on טעמי המצוות [the “reasons” of the mitzvahs] between minchah and maariv on a daily basis and declared that ‘his words, which burn with awe of Hash-m, pierced the hearts of the youths.’ Rabbi Shach considered Rabbi Naftali Hertz one of his rabbis due to that daily hour between minchah and maariv.
Literature: Maran HaRav Shach, Sefer Toldot Chayav by Rabbi Asher Bergman, Bnei Brak 2006 43-44. The picture before us is also brought there.
Size: 18×20 cm. The picture was developed in New York in the early 20th century, and is placed in a magnificent cardboard frame with decoration of two images of windows for closing [one of the windows is detached]. Publisher’s details in the bottom margins of the frame. Very fine condition.
Photograph of the Admor Menachem Mendel of Stropkov.
The Admor Menachem Mendel of Stropkov [1885-1954]: The second Admor of Stropkov. He was appointed Admor after his father’s passing in the summer of 1940. He survived the Holocaust of Hungarian Jewry. At the end of 1944 he hid in a bunker in Pressburg and and promised in writing that all those in the bunker would be saved. He lost his entire family in the Holocaust with the exception of one granddaughter, who established a family after the war. Upon his arrival in the United States, he began to restore the chassidut in a study hall he established in Williamsburg. He was laid to rest in Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem after his coffin was brought to Israel.
Size: 9×7 cm. Fine condition.
Two rare photographs of the Admor, the Beit Yisrael of Gur [1895-1977].
Identical size: 9×14 cm. Slight crack across one of the photographs.
Fine condition.
Early picture of the GR”A of Vilna, 19th century.
High-quality printed picture – showing a portrait of th GR”A of Vilna in tallit and tfillin holding a scribe’s inkwell in one hand and a book in the other, with a candle placed next to him.
Underneath, in German text: ‘Rabbeinu Eliyahu Vilna Gaon’ and the date of his passing, 1797. The inscription ‘An eternal memory for the tzaddik. Good is the eye who saw him. A candle before us, the great gaon, wonder of the generation, light of Israel who resembles an angel, none arose as him in all seven wisdoms, rabbi of the entire diaspora, Rabbi Eliyahu son of Shlomo ztzuk”l of Vilna, gathered unto his people 19 Tishrei 5558.’
A number of pictures depicting the holy Vilna Gaon are known. This picture matches the picture found in the home of the GR”A’s granddaughter Mrs. Miriam Sentawe, which the GR”A’s grandsons testified is correct and true, and was made with tremendous effort, and was also found in the home of the Vilner family, grandchildren of the GR”A. According to the testimony of one of today’s rabbinic leaders, this is the most authentic and truest likeness of the holy GR”A, and other pictures that have been distributed which pretend to represent the GR”A differently are fruits of imagination.
Size: 7×5 cm. Stains, fine condition.
Printed picture of the Chofetz Chaim , published during his lifetime. [Hebrew] title, “Image of HaGaon HaTzaddik author of the Chofetz Chaim shlit”a .”
Size: 10×15 cm.
Very fine condition.
Three rare photographs of the Admor of Belz, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach shlit”a [b. 1948].
The holy Admor Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach of Belz [the second] the fifth in the chassidic dynasty, nephew of Rabbi Aharon Rokeach – the previous Admor, who raised him after he was orphaned of his father at the age of two. After his uncle’s passing in 1957 with no descendants, the heads of the chassidut waited for the boy – who was then only nine years old – to grow up and become Admor. As such, Rabbi Yissachar Dov earned the nickname “HaYanuka.” Under his leadership, the chassidut grew and became established and turned into a chassidut comprising thousands of families in Israel and in the diaspora, mainly in Europe and North Africa.
Two photographs sized 10×7 cm., one photograph sized 14×9 cm.
Fine condition.
A photograph of the founder of the Satmar chassidut – the Rebbe Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum [‘Rebi Yoelish’ 1887-1979].
Size: 11×8 cm.
Cracks and stains. Moderate condition.
Early and rare photograph of Admor Yoel Teitelbaum [1887-1979] of Satmar – the founder of the Satmar Chassidut.
Size: 14×9 cm.
Divided from behind for use as postcard.
Peeling and fold marks on top. Slight fold mark in the middle.
Four photographs of Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch.
Interesting photographs showing the Rebbe in the entrance of his house, speaking to an educational assembly on the topic of Shabbat, running a wedding ceremony [an early photograph from his first years as Admor] and running a tisch.
Average size: 12×9 cm.
Various conditions. Two photographs have light cracks.
Collection of 68 photographs featuring the Admor Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch, from the beginning of his tenure and throughout his years as the Admor. [T he photographer’s stamp is on the back of approximately 45 photographs].
We note an intriguing photograph showing the Rebbe in his room, taken through the hole of door lock; a photograph of the Rebbe in his Kittel on Motzaei Yom Kippur; an interesting photograph showing the Rebbe holding a large bunch of myrtle; in hitvaadut with Rabbi Avraham Shapira [Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav] and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu; reciting the Shema; during nefillat apayim; speaking at different conferences, and more. Many of the photographs are in color.
Various sizes, overall very fine condition.
Collection with 61 photos of Rabbis and Admors. 20th century.
Collection of a wide assortment of rabbinical photos, including passport photos of Rabbis and Admors. Includes the sons of the Brisker Rav; the Admor of Vishnitz; photo depicting Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer at a meal marking a mitzvah; Rabbi Shmuel Rozovsky; the Admor of Satmar; photo from the “Adiloyada” procession; photo of yeshiva bachurim during their Torah study; A photograph showing President Chaim Herzog alongside Rabbi Avraham Shapira and Rabbi Reuven Elbaz in a synagogue ; Admor of Alexander; the Admor of Tchebin; Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu; photo of the wife of Albert Sassoon [son of famed collector, David Sassoon], and others.
Varying sizes and conditions, overall fine-very fine condition.
Twelve photos of rabbis, including a rare photo of Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian wearing a tallit and tefilin in conversation with Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky; photo depicting Rabbi Yonah Mertzbach speaking, with Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach sitting next to him and listening attentively; photo of Rabbi Amram Blau; Rabbi Ben Tzion Abba Shaul; Rabbi Herzog and others.
Varying sizes: 9×13 cm. 7-9 cm.
Various conditions, overall fine condition.
Two photos of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky [“The Steipler”: 1899-1985], one depicts him next to MK Rabbi Shlomo Lorincz at a cornerstone laying.
Both measures 9×14 cm.
Fine condition.
A photograph of Rabbi Yitzchak Zev of Brisk in his old age.
On the rear side of the photograph was written [apparently by a member of the household]: ‘The right to another picture from this was not sold’.
Rabbi Yitzchak Zev HaLevi Soloveitchik [1886-1959], Rabbi of the city of Brisk and later Rosh Yeshiva of Brisk in Jerusalem, one of the foremost leaders of the ultra-Orthodox Lithuanian sect.
Size: 9×6 cm. Fine condition.
Photo depicting Binyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, visiting the home of Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach shlit”a. c. 1990s.
Size:13×18 cm.
Very fine condition.
Picture Book of Rabbinic Leaders, “With Events and Biographies, their Opinions, Activities and Influence on Society and the Public.” by Avigdor Katzberg New York [after 1925].
Pictures and biographies of 17 rabbis, including Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Glick, Av Beit Din of Taltshowa, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Sofer, Av Beit Din of Pressberg, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, Av Beit Din Marmarosh-Hust, Rabbi Kappel Reich, Av Beit Din Budapest, Rabbi Kappel Charif Av Beit Din Verba, Rabbi Yeshaya Zilberstein, Av Beit Din Weitzen, Rabbi Dov Ber Dushinsky Av Beit Din Nomesta and others.
This edition is a subedition of the Neifest edition 1925.
[59] pages, [17] picture plates, 16 cm. Fine condition.
‘Man’s wisdom lights up his face, and his righteousness is remembered forever,’ picture of the honorable rabbi, the true genius, minister of Torah, light and rabbi of the diaspora, elder sage of the Etz Chaim yeshiva of Volozhin some fifty years, teaching thousands of students from every land, his holy honor, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin, ztzuk”l.
Printed picture according to a photograph of the gaon rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin – Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin and one of the leaders of the generation, W. Walkiewicz press 1893. Russian and Hebrew inscriptions in the margins of the picture and the Netziv’s signature on the photo. Attached to an original stiff board with the photographer’s stamp on the reverse.
Picture: 17×11 cm. Cardboard mount: 20×15 cm. Stains. Fine condition.
‘Picture of the true genius pious and humble, our teacher and rabbi, Rabbi Eliyahu Gutmacher, Av Beit Din of the Greiditz community …’
Rabbi Eliyahu Gutmacher [1796-1874]: gaon, kabbalist, in his youth he learned with Rabbi Akiva Eiger in Posen and was known as a tremendous prodigy at a young age. Precursor of Zionism, one of the first to call for agricultural settlement in the Land of Israel in the 19th century. He began to serve as rabbi of Greiditz in 1839, and quickly became the exceptional figure of a chassidic Admor in Germany. He was friendly with Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer.
6×11 cm. Stains. Moderate condition.
P rinted p icture: Depiction of the Holy Famous Gaon – the GR”A of Vilna wearing a tallit. Published by Yehoshua Shapira, Lodz [Poland], beginning of the 20th century.
Unknown picture of the image of the GR”A, printer’s mark and details on the lower right.
Size: 9×14 cm. Stains. Slight tears in the margins without blemish to the picture. Moderate-fine condition.
Three early pictures of Eastern European Jews in traditional dress, beginning of the 20th century.
Two are sized 14×9 cm. [one is of a husband and wife, the second a rabbinical figure]. A smaller photograph sized 4×5 cm [rabbinical figure].
Fine condition. Some cracks in the small photograph.
