Auction 75
Lot 106:
A Shmek fon Yirat Shamayim
Silver tobacco box which was personally used by the Admor Rabbi Avraham Elimelech of Karlin. During his last visit to Eretz Yisrael, Rabbeinu left behind all his valuables so as "not to leave them to the Resha’im". This Chefetz Kodesh was given to his loyal Chassid Rabbi Asher Sofer of Tiberius, who was his confidante in Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Asher Sofer’s children state that their father revered this valuable tobacco box, which was the last souvenir from his beloved Rebbe, who, unfortunately, returned to Europe and perished with his community in the Holocaust. After Rabbi Asher’s passing, the box was inherited by his son Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Sofer, Rosh Metivta Divrei Yochanan, who safeguarded it in a locked box. We received it to be auctioned from his estate.
The box
Silver tobacco box, original Niello work which here emphasizes an impressive play of light and shadow. On the front, an illustration of a central plaza with impressive buildings. On verso, an illustration of a village. Fine, impressive work. Hallmarks of "84" indicating it was made in Russia in the late 19th century. Weight: 95 gr. Aize: 5X8.3 cm. The hinge is broken and the lid is totally detached. Good condition.
The Rebbe sees better than us!
The Gaon Rabbi Eliezer David Friedman, Rabbi Asher Sofer’s son-in-law, recalled: "Before the outbreak of World War II, Rabbi Avraham Elimelech of Karlin visited Eretz Yisrael, explicitly saying what was to become of Europe. Rabbi Ashe Sofer begged him not to return home, to the lion’s den. The Rebbe, in response, took rabbi Asher Sofer for a long walk to the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes in Tiberius. When they returned, Rabbi Asher was crying bitterly saying: "What can I do? The Rebbe sees better than us". Rabbi Asher, however, never told anyone what the Rebbe had disclosed during that long walk, taking the secret to his grave". Kesher Eitan, issue 61. See more about Rabbi Adher Sofer in Di Beracha in Shtub, issue 9-508.
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