THE PERSONAL HANUKKAH LAMP OF RABBI MORDECHAI SCHRAGA FRIEDMAN, THE FIRST HUSIATYN REBBE, THE SON OF THE RHUZINER ...

THE PERSONAL HANUKKAH LAMP OF RABBI MORDECHAI SCHRAGA FRIEDMAN, THE FIRST HUSIATYN REBBE, THE SON OF THE RHUZINER AND HIS DESCENDENTS
Custom made in Vienna by Vincenz Czokally, c. 1875 - 1880. On a large rectangular base with a step down area that holds the oil section. The body consists of a footed box-like stage that is decorated with flowers and a wreath. On top of the box, there are two rampant lions flanking the Decalogue surrounded by sunburst beams. On each side, there are corinthian columns with gilded floral vases. Rabbi Mordechai Schraga Friedman (May 29, 1834, Sedigura - May 28, 1894, Husiatyn) was the youngest (sixth) son of Rabbi Israel Friedman, the Ruzhiner Rebbe. The Ruzhiner indicated that a neshamah such as his, did not descend into this world in 2,000 years. He was named after his uncle Reb Mottle of Chernobyl during Reb Mottele's lifetime as the Ruziner explained, indicating that while R' Mottele was physically alive, he had not been in this world for 20 years. As children, a friendship existed between the Husyatiner and his nephew, Rebbe Yitzchok of Bohush, the son of his brother, Rebbe Shalom Yosef of Sadiger. Rav Yitzchok would later relate, as children, we would gather pieces of wood and make them into piles but we had the kavonos of Kevodo Malei Olam, that Hashem's presence fills the world. In 1865, he relocated to the Ukrainian town of Husyatin with his chassidim and his family. There he built a magnificent shule and court, which was right next to his home.The Rebbe would sit for hours connecting with Hashem in D'vekus, his family was so concerned that his soul would part from his body, that they would often distract him during the Dveykus to make sure he stayed alive. It has been told that Rabbi Shmuel Zelichover said that R' Mordechai was a warrior on behalf of the nation of Israel. "Every Yid has his personal battle with the yetzer harah, but the Husyatiner was a general—fighting for all of Klal Yisroel" He died in 1894 and is buried in Husiatyn. His kever remains intact and accessible today. His son, Rabbi Israel Friedman left Husiatin in 1914 because of World War I settling in Vienna. He married his cousin who was the granddaughter of the first Rabbi of Sadigura. When he made Aliya to Eretz Israel in 1937, and instructed his followers to do the same because of the surge of Jew hatred. He indicated that "they should leave even with only their socks". He resided in Tel Aviv, in Bialik 19 and passed away in 1948. After him, the next Rebbe was his son Rabbi Yaakov Friedman (the Ohalei Yaakov), who had only one daughter, Rebbezin Miriam Bauminger. According to family legend, the original oil holders were lost around WW1 and replaced in Vienna around the same time when the lamp was owned by Reb Yisroel Friedman. Rebbezin Bauminger resided also in Bialik 19, and the consignor indicates that her father bought this lamp from her. She passed away around 1983. "My father bought the lamp from her in the eighties before she passed away. I was born in 1971, and I remember going to visit her a few times with my father, as a young kid". This lamp is documented and pictured in a book that was written on the Husiayin Dynasty by Rabbi Dr. Meir Gruzman. He still remembers seeing those items in the Husiatiner Rebbe premises, and that he writes in his book, under the photos he took of these items. It's written there in Hebrew. A letter attesting to the provenance and authenticity of of this lamp accompanies it. Certified as authentic by Rabbi Dr. Meir Gruzman. 16" X 13"
Dimensions: 16 x 13 in