Notebook manuscript: Handwritten copies from the Kherson Geniza—early 20th century.

Notebook manuscript: Handwritten copies from the Kherson Geniza—early 20th century.

Notebook with copies of pages from the well-known Kherson geniza, including wills and various texts from Chassidic sages starting with the Baal Shem Tov, his student the Maggid of Mestricht, the Admor HaZaken Baal HaTanya, Rabbi Zeev Wolf Kizes, Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sasov, Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz, the Rebbe of Aphtha, and many more. 21 handwritten pages from the early 20th century. Size of the notebook: 17.5x11cm. Light stains, overall good condition.

The Kherson Geniza: According to tradition, during the imprisonment of the Admor Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin by the Russian authorities, the latter confiscated his property including his inheritances from his forefathers of Jewish items as well as letters and texts from Jewish sages and founders of Chassidism. This treasure they hid in the city of Kherson, in the Ukraine. During the October Revolution the trove was discovered, stolen, and parts sold to collectors in Odessa. Over time many critics have attacked the credibility of the documents and the issue is controversial to this day. However, Rebbeim of the Chabad movement from the Rashab onward have verified the authenticity of the documents and the last Rebbe even answered in tshuvot two letters proving their authenticity. The original trove resides in the Chabad library.