Auction 37 - Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters

Magen Avraham (Segula Book) – Copy of the Holy Shoemaker with Notes in his Handwriting

Opening: $800
Sold for: $3,750
Including buyer's premium
Magen Avraham, Chassidic homiletics on the Torah, Part 2. By the Trisker Magid, Rebbe Avraham ben Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl. Lublin, [1887]. First edition, printed while the author was alive (1806-1889). Printed on Leaf [3] is a lithograph of the author's own handwriting.
Stamps from the library of "Rabbi Moshe Ya'akov Ravikov" – between the leaves are papers which belong to Rabbi Moshe Ya'akov Ravikov: leaves of Torah novellae in his handwriting, receipts sent to him and a printed leaf: "Segula to be saved from danger".
Rabbi Moshe Ya'akov Ravikov (1873-1967) – the "Holy Shoemaker" from Shabazi Street in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. A hidden tzaddik, mekubal and wonder-worker. Born in Lithuania, a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv author of Leshem Shvo V'Achlama [the Leshem]. Ascended to Eretz Israel in 1913, and after an unsuccessful attempt to settle in Kfar Uriah in the Judah Plains, moved to the city of Yaffo (Jaffa) and opened a shoemaking workshop. Very soon, disadvantaged people or people who needed good counsel, arbitration or a loan sought his assistance and salvation.
Although he concealed himself and his powers, the leaders and mekubalim of his days recognized his astounding righteousness, kept close contact with him and studied from him. It is a well-known fact that the Chazon Ish encouraged him to reveal himself and sent people to receive his counsel and blessings. Another well-known fact is that Rabbi Kook told Rabbi Aryeh Levine that The Shoemaker is one of the "lamed vav" hidden tzaddikim of his generation. Many stories circulated of wonders he performed and his Holy Spirit and during his life he merited the revelation of Eliyahu the Prophet [this was published in newspapers of those times]. Many people visited his home daily to receive his blessing and were delivered from their troubles.
[3] 3-113 leaves. 22.5 cm. Fair condition, wear and detached leaves. Moth damage. First leaves have damages to margins. Original leather binding, worn and damaged. + two leaves of handwritten Torah novellae, two receipts and a printed leaf.
Possessing this book is a well-known segula, as the author wrote in his introduction to Vol. 1, with the power of Avraham Avinu "I hereby bless anyone who takes this book because it will draw many kindnesses upon him… to fulfill all your wishes, children and grandchildren…".
Hassidism - Manuscripts and Letters, Signatures and Dedications
Hassidism - Manuscripts and Letters, Signatures and Dedications