Wristwatch Presented by Rebbe Rayatz to His Son-in-Law, Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag), on the Occasion of ...

Wristwatch Presented by Rebbe Rayatz to His Son-in-Law, Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag), on the Occasion of His 25th Wedding Anniversary

Wristwatch made by the American company Gruen (Veri-Thin), Switzerland, 1940s. Leather straps.

Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift... the Gruen german watch that my father bought for my husband on the occasion of our 25th wedding anniversary. My husband wore it for many years."

Letter of authenticity dated 10 December, 1989. (the Gruen family originated from Germany. Apparently, this is the reason that the wristwatch is referred to as "German" in the enclosed letter).

The wedding of Rebbetzin Chanah and Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary (the Rashag) – 11th Nissan 1921

During WWI, Rebbe Rashab fled Lubavitch together with his court, settling after several days of wandering in Rostov-on-Don, south-western Russia. Before his passing (2nd Nissan 1920), as his health took a turn for the worse, the Rashab selected a groom for his eldest granddaughter Rebbetzin Chanah – R. Shemaryahu son of R. Menachem Mendel Gurary, director of the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva. The Tena'im were signed three months after the passing of the Rashab, on 12th Tammuz 1920. The wedding took place about a year later, on 11th Sivan 1921. Due to the difficult situation in Russia at that time, the wedding was a modest and small affair celebrated in the courtyard of Rebbe Rayatz in Rostov.

The book Shemuot VeSippurim describes the despondent atmosphere at the wedding: when the Daled Bovos niggun was played at the wedding, Rebbe Rayatz wept and thumped his hand on the table. The Rashab's chair stood empty at the head of the table in the same place as in the past, and no one touched it. The mood was so morose that no one even danced. The Rayatz went round sharing out a piece of cake and cup of lemonade for LeChaim – that was the extent of the wedding meal.

Wristwatch: Approx. 3X2.5 cm. Good condition. Mechanism not tested (watch appears to work). Leather straps slightly worn. One strap torn at its center – tear runs along its entire length.

PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.