Original Photo Album – Rare and Unknown Pictures of the Rebbes the 'Imrei Emet' and 'Beit Yisrael' of Gur – In ...

Original Photo Album – Rare and Unknown Pictures of the Rebbes the 'Imrei Emet' and 'Beit Yisrael' of Gur – In Israel and Abroad

Old photo album with extremely rare pictures, some of which have never been published and are unknown. Historical scenes of the Rebbes of Gur, the Rebbe rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter author of 'Imrei Emet' of Gur and his son, Rabbi Yisrael Alter author of the 'Beit Yisrael'. Following is a list of the pictures:

The 'Imrei Emet' in Israel.

1. In Israel, the Rebbe is depicted sitting towards the end of his life, accompanied by his Meshamshim.

2. In Jerusalem, before Siddur Kiddushin, with the Spodik, sitting with his Meshamshim.

3. In Jerusalem, sitting and praying, on the backdrop of a ruin in Jerusalem.

The 'Imrei Emet' abroad.

4. A rare, original photograph from the resort town of Marienbad, depicting the Rebbe of Gur author of 'Imrei Emet' sitting in a presidential car, touring the streets of the town. Apparently sitting beside him is his brother Rabbi nechemya Alter. Possibly, this is a picture from the third congress of Gur which took place in Marienbad between the 10th to the 18th of Elul 1937, with the attendance of the Rebbe. The picture was taken and developed by Hanz Lampalzer who was the photographer who took most of the pictures in Marienbad, especially during the Third Congress of Agudat Yisrael, a fact which is indicated by his signature which appears on most of the pictures which were taken there.

Before us is an unknown picture of the 'Imrei Emet'. [A small tear in the right side of the picture]. The picture is mounted to one of the leaves of the album in its four corners.

5. With his son, the 'Pnei Menachem' holding his father's Spodik.

6. In Marienbad, accompanied by his son the 'Beit Yisrael' with his relatives and Hassidim, on the backdrop of the train station (a late copy of the picture).

7. In Marienbad accompanied by his Hassidim and his son the 'beit Yisrael'.

8. Photograph of a picture of the 'Imrei Emet' [in 1940], standing on the deck of a ship with his staff in his hand, on their way to the Land of Israel.

9. Photograph of the identity card from Palestine during the Mandate of the 'Imrei Emet' of Gur, his place of residence being Jerusalem after he immigrated and settled in Palestine, his occupation noted as rabbi, his height and description of his portrait. Issued on 26/6/40, with his English (1) signature. Apparently, the picture used for the identity card was the one that was taken on the ship on th eway to Palestine (no. 8).

10. On the backdrop of a field in Marienbad accompanied by his son the 'Beit Yisrael'. (Later copy of a small-format picture).

11. Postcard depicting the Rebbe accompanied by his son Rabbi Yisrael Alter, sitting in a carriage harnessed to a horse and led by a coachman. (The postcard has been cut at its side, a late photograph of a picture).

12. The well-known picture of the Rebbe praying from a Siddur, developed by Kovetz Jerusalem, (fold marks).

13. The Rebbe praying from a Siddur, photograph of a framed embroidery. (Developed by the photographer Tzadok Basan Jerusalem).

14. The Rebbe of Gur with his Hassidim, photograph of a picture, presumably from a newspaper.

15. Original photograph of the Rebbe in his old age.

16. Original photograph depicting the Rebbe with his hat upside down, on the backdrop of a forest and a group of young Hassidim behind him. His son the 'Beit Yisrael' is at his side.

17. Original photograph of the Rebbe with his son-in-law Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Levin (the future leader of Agudat Yisrael) and Hassidim, on the backdrop of fields and a forest, near a horse harnessed to a cart.

18. Original photograph of the Rebbe accompanied by his Hassidim. By his side there is a man with an umbrella, on the backdrop of a forest. The photograph also depict the Gabai waving his hand in front of the camera, apparently to hide it.

19. The Rebbe accompanied by his Hassidim, seen on the left side of the photograph. (late photograph of a picture).

20. The Rebbe riding in a carriage with a large number of Hassidim around him.

21. Photograph of the Rebbe's face in his old age. The photograph was published in the weekly "Yiddishe Illustrirte Vach" in 1925.

22. The "imrei Emet' sitting in a carriage, with two of his Hassidim beside him and facing him.

23. The Rebbe conversing with an unidentified rabbinical figure.

* In addition, four small photographs depicting the Rebbe in various places and times.

* An additional photograph apparently depicting one of the Rebbes of Gur in his youth (possibly, the 'Imrei Emet').

Photographs of the Rebbe the 'Beit Yisrael' of Gur

1. The Rebbe Mesader Kiddushin, holding a wine goblet.

2. Beside his car.

3. As above, accompanied by Hassidim, the Meshamesh is depicted pointing at the car.

4. The well-known photograph of the 'Beit Yisrael' without a hat. On its reverse side, a biographic

description of the 'Beit Yisrael' of Gur.

The Gur Hassidism – the largest Hassidic court in Poland before the Holocaust.

Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter of Gur, the 'Imrei Emet' (Gur, 1866 – Jerusalem, 1948), the son of Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib author of Sefat Emet. Already in his youth he was known as a great sage and his knowledge was immense. Since 1905, he served as the Rebbe of thousands of Hassidim. At first, he refused to accept the position; however, his Hassidim insisted until he became their leader and Rebbe. He was one of the founders of "Agudat Yisrael" and under his influence Agudat Yisrael became a strong movement. Most of the leaders of Polish Jewry were Gur Hassidim. He immigrated to the Land of Israel five times, thinking of settling in it. He was one of the guards of the Yishuv and his missive from the Land of Israel ("Al HaSfinah") is considered a cornerstone in turning the face towards the Land of Israel. In 1929, he founded the "Sefat Emet" Yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 1935, he again immigrated to the Land of Israel; yet due to the enormous pressure of his Hassidim who remained in the Diaspora, he returned temporarily to Poalnd, intending to return to Jerusalem as soon as possible. He was persecuted by the Nazis, who published his picture in the Polish press in order to capture, him. Nevertheless, he miraculously survived the Holocaust and after a long, arduous journey arrived in 1940 in Jerusalem, where he settled, reestablishing the Gur Hassidism and leading his Hassidim until his death. The hundreds of writings he left behind in Poland – were lost. From the little that remained, the books 'Imrei Emet', 'Osef Michtavim' were printed.

His son Rabbi Yisrael Alter of Gur the 'Beit Yisrael' (Gur, 1895-Jerusalem, 1977), studied with his grandfather the 'Sefat Emet'. Since his youth he was known as a prodigy and a studious learner. He married the daughter of his uncle Rabbi Ya'akov Meir Biderman – the son-in-law of the 'sefat Emet'. His family perished in the Holocaust; yet he survived with his father the Rebbe of Gur and immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1940. After his father's death in 1948, he was appointed the Rebbe after his father's will. He was a genius, knowledgeable in all aspects of the Torah and of Hassidism, and an inspiring leader. Already in his father's lifetime, he gathered around him Avrechim and sages and guided them how to work God. After the Holocaust, he held the Holocaust-survivor Hassidim together, encouraged them and reestablished the Gur Hassidic court. He dedicated many efforts to the education of the young generation and under his guidance, a network of Talmud Torah and yeshivas was established all over the world. He was a loved and dedicated father to all and many from all circles came to hear his advice and receive his blessing.

The Marienbad resort town

Marienbad (today – Marianske Lazne) was a resort town in Czechoslovakia before the Holocaust and many leading European rabbis came to stay there, among them: the Rebbes of Gur, Belz, Munkatch, Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Elchanan Bonem Wasserman, Rabbi Menachem Zambah and more.

A total of 32 photographs. Sizes vary. In an original album of the collector. The album is from the 1940s/1950. Several photographs are not mounted to the album.

Photo album, 23x17cm. cardboard binding with a brown snakeskin-like pattern, 20 thick, gray leaves with tissue guards containing 32 photographs, some of which are detached from the album, with remnants of paper fasteners, and some are still mounted. Good-Very good condition. A small hole in the back binding and the two last leaves.