Yisroel R.

Nearly two decades after the petirah of the Berach Moshe of Satmar, zt”l, another major chapter in the historic division of his inheritance is set to unfold Thursday, as a vast collection of treasured silver and gold items is divided equally among his seven children.

The latest stage follows the first major division several months ago, when the Berach Moshe’s priceless manuscripts and other chafzei kodesh were distributed among the family. That process, arranged through the efforts of R’ Lipa Friedman, brought together all of the Rebbe’s children for a division that had remained unresolved for approximately 20 years following his petirah.

With that first stage successfully completed, attention then turned to the Rebbe’s extensive collection of valuable gold and silver belongings. The collection includes items inherited from his holy ancestors, personal belongings that remained with the Rebbe from earlier years, and many pieces purchased by chassidim and presented to him as gifts throughout the decades.

Altogether, the collection being divided consists of 302 individual items, with their combined value estimated at more than $3 million. Among them are bechers, Kos Shel Eliyahu cups, candlesticks, trays, menorahs, plates, esrog boxes, wine and liquor bottles, netilas yadayim cups, silverware, Shabbos knives, salt containers, besamim boxes, fruit bowls, mayim acharonim holders, tobacco boxes, candle-lighting utensils, honey containers, Megillah cases, watches, and numerous additional pieces.

Before the division could take place, experienced appraisers carefully evaluated each item individually. Based on those valuations, the entire collection was organized into seven separate packages, with an effort made to ensure that each one would contain a comparable mixture of the three main categories: family heirlooms inherited by the Rebbe, his own personal belongings, and items given to him during his years as Rebbe.

Each of the seven packages contains approximately 40 to 50 items and carries an estimated value of around half a million dollars. Rather than assigning the packages directly, a goral will determine which one is received by each of the seven children, including the Rebbe’s sons and daughters.

The goral is set to take place Thursday at the summer home of R’ Lipa Friedman, the same location where the earlier division was held. Grandchildren of the Berach Moshe, together with gabbaim and representatives from the Satmar kehillos, are expected to participate, marking another significant step in the long-awaited division of the treasured belongings left behind by the Berach Moshe of Satmar, zt”l.