Siddur Beit Yaakov of the Ribnitzer Rebbe

Siddur Beit Yaakov of the Ribnitzer Rebbe
Siddur Beit Yaakov, by R. Yaakov Emden, Nusach Sefard, with Tehillim and Seder Maamadot. Pe'er HaTorah edition, Jerusalem 1973. [Photocopy edition of the Lviv 1897 edition].
Siddur of the Ribnitzer Rebbe which he used extensively for prayer and ceremonies, with signs of usage (wine stains on the pages of kiddush, zemirot of Friday night and of Se'udah Shlishit; and wax stains on the pages of Chanukah candle lighting).
Inscription on the front endpaper by the rebbe's gabbai – R. Ben Tzion Adler, attesting that "The Ribnitzer Rebbe prayed from this siddur for a long period, on weekdays, Shabbat and festivals, including during his Tish, Havdalah and Melaveh Malkah…".
On the front endpaper, as well as at the end of the book of Tehillim, kvittel inscriptions of the rebbe's Chassidim, who wrote their names and their mothers' names for the rebbe to mention them in his prayers.
Rebbe Chaim Zanvil Abramovitz – the Ribnitzer Rebbe (1898-1995), a Tzaddik and wonder-worker, he risked his life to serve as rebbe under Communist rule in Romania. Born in Botoshan, Romania, he was orphaned of his father at the age of two and a half. As a young orphan, he was raised in the home of Rebbe Yehuda Aryeh Fränkel of Botoshan and was rabbinically ordained by R. Yehuda Leib Tzirelson, yet primarily he was a close disciple and household member of Rebbe Avraham Mattityahu Friedman of Shtefanesht. The latter, who was childless, reputedly referred to him as his precious son, and he in turn considered himself as the only child of the rebbe of Shtefanesht. On his deathbed, Rebbe Avraham Matityahu told him: "I am bequeathing you three things: my Divine Inspiration, my form and my grace". He was exceptionally erudite, and testified that he knew the entire Talmud at the age of 18. Already in his youth, he was renowned for his Chassidic and ascetic conduct: he would practice self-denial, immerse in icy water, fast for days on end until nightfall wrapped in his tallit and tefillin. He spent many hours reciting Tikkun Chatzot with copious tears, dressed in sackcloth.
After WWII, many rabbis left Russian-occupied areas, due to the difficulty in leading a Torah observant life under communist rule, yet he remained in Ribnitza (Rîbnița, Moldova), where he served as rebbe at risk of his life. Despite governmental prohibitions, he continued observing mitzvot openly, slaughtering animals, performing circumcisions for the Jews of the region, and delivering Torah classes. In his merit, Chassidic life was fully preserved behind the Iron Curtain. The communist officials were aware of his activities, yet respected him. Reputedly, he was once arrested, yet was freed when he promised the judge that his wife would be cured if he would release him.
After the Iron Curtain fell, he immigrated to Jerusalem and from there to the United States, where people thronged to his door. He was renowned for his Divine Inspiration, and even attested that he was able to see "from one end of the world to another". His fame spread as a Tzaddik and wonder-worker. Many came to seek his advice and blessings, and experienced miraculous salvations. He was able to cure people with his blessings, and many found their match and were blessed with children in his merit. In his outstanding love for his fellow Jew, he would shed bitter tears upon hearing of another Jew's pain. He used to say that the salvations he achieved were in the merit of sharing the pain of his brethren and his tears and prayers on behalf of those in distress. He passed away at the advanced age of close to 100 years. Thousands visit his grave in Monsey, New York each year. The singer Mordechai ben David (Werdyger), a devoted Chassid of the Ribnitzer Rebbe, dedicated the song "Oy, Rebbe" (from his album "Ein Od Milvado") to him.
207, [14], 406; 20; 433-472 leaves. 23.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Original binding.