Half Million Dollars for 770’s Kibbudim

With the return of large crowds to 770 for Tishrei, the annual ‘Selling of the Mitzvos’ was held on Shabbos Bereishis, with some of the kibbudim fetching unusually high prices.

By Anash.org reporter

The decades-old Chabad custom of auctioning off the new year’s kibbudim on Shabbos Bereishis, was carried out in 770 this year in its usual style and manner.

The highest-grossing mitzvah was for the honor of opening the Aron Kodesh on Shmini Atzeres for tefillas Geshem. Widely considered a segulah for parnassa, it was purchased for a whopping $60,000.

Also universally considered to be a segulah for great wealth, the highly sought-after Aliya of Maftir Yonah was sold for $35,000. Surprisingly, it was sold for $5,000 less than last year.

Tied for second place, were the honors of opening the Aron Kodesh for kriyas Hatora for the entire year, and Hagba Gelila for the entire year. They were each purchased for the sum of $36,000.

The honor of opening the Aron for Kol Nidrei which is described in the siddur as a “great mitzva” was sold for $25,000. While opening the Aron Kodesh for Neila sold for the higher amount of $30,000.

The aliya of Chosson Torah on Simchas Torah sold for $21,000, and Chosson Breishis (to honor the Rebbe) grossed $20,000.

The following is a partial list of the Kibbudim sold:

Pesicha for Geshem – French speaking Chabad community in Netanya, EY

Maftir Yonah – R’ Don Mikagon

Pesicha for Neila – R’ Chaim Lechiani

Pesicha for Kol Nidrei – R’ Michoel Elimelech

Chosson Breishis – R’ Baruch Duchman

Chosson Torah – R’ Yehuda Reich

Pesicha for the whole year – R’ Chaim Lechiani

Hagba/gelila for the year – R’ Shaul Cohen, R’ Mendel Raskin, R’ Yisroel Dovid Shmueli.