Atarah and Ornaments from the Tallit of the Rebbes of Kosov

Atarah and Ornaments from the Tallit of the Rebbes of Kosov

Tallit atarah (neckband) and ornaments. [ca. 19th century].
Silver thread, cotton. "Spanier Arbeit" (form of metal bobbin lace unique to Galicia. The name of the technique can be translated in Yiddish as "Spanish work"; according to one theory, it was developed in Spain before the Inquisition and brought over to Europe by the Spanish exiles).
The atarah and tallit ornaments are from the estate of the Charag-Geiger family in Safed. According to the family's report, they were part of the tallit worn by the rebbes of Kosov-Radovitz in Safed. The tallit was first used by Rebbe Yosef Alter Hager of Radovitz (second son of Rebbe Chaim of Kosov – the Torat Chaim; he immigrated to Safed in 1873, and later settled in Haifa, where he was buried in 1879). It was was later passed on to his son, Rebbe Moshe Hager of Radovitz, who was buried in Safed in Kislev 1901. The rebbe's tallit reached R. Moshe Charag (Zeiger), trustee of the Kosov-Vizhnitz Kollel in Safed and associate of the rebbes of Kosov and Vizhnitz, and was later inherited by his grandson (son of his daughter), R. Yosef Tzvi Geiger. Over the years, the tallit wore out and fell apart, and only the present atarah and ornaments remain.
Rebbe Moshe Hager of Radovitz (1840-1901, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 264-265), author of Vayikach Moshe, son of Rebbe Yosef Alter Hager of Radovitz (1820-1879, second son of Rebbe Chaim of Kosov and son-in-law of the son of Rebbe Moshe Tzvi of Savran). In 1873, when his father immigrated to Safed, he was appointed his successor as rebbe in Radovitz, but instead gave over the position to his son R. Yisrael and followed his father to Safed (his father later moved to Haifa and was buried in the old cemetery of Haifa). In 1897, R. Moshe settled in Haifa, and became one of the founders of the Ashkenazi settlement in the city. In 1899, he returned to Safed (see more about him in the foreword to the new edition of his book Vayikach Moshe, published by the Vizhnitz yeshiva – Bnei Brak 2000).

3 items. Size varies (atarah: 88X11 cm). Fair condition. Stains. Several tears and unraveled threads.

The Segulah of the Atarah from the Tallit of the Rebbes of Kosov
The Geiger family attest that for five generations, the atarah from the tallit of the rebbes of Kosov was used in the family at brit milah ceremonies, which were held in the Kosov synagogue in Safed. The atarah was placed at the head of the baby during the circumcision, as a segulah for longevity and health.