In Lubavitch, the Mitzvos would be “sold” on Shabbos Bereishis, with the Gabai, while wearing a Shtraimel, auctioning off the Aliyos, the opening of the Aron, the Sifrei Torah for Kol Nidrei, and the other “Kibbudim”.

Many of these honors come with great merit and Brachos, such as children, wealth, and long life, and no sum is too large to secure such Brachos in the Rebbe’s Shul. All the revenue would be sanctioned towards the Rebbe’s Shul, Lubavitch She’b’Lubavitch.

Chabadinfo obtained the list of all the auctioned off “Kibbudim” and their purchasers, and presents them here:

Maftir Yona was sold to a friend of the Mashpia R’ Menachem Mendel Ofen from Israel, for a whopping $47,770.

Presenting the Sefer Torah to the Rebbe for the first Hakafa on the night of Simchas Torah was purchased  for $16,000.

Presenting the Sefer Torah for the other Hakafos on Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah were sold for amounts in the range of $11,000 and $16,000.

To open the Aron for Morid Hageshem on Simchas Torah was purchased by a group of French acquaintances of Rabbi Yaakov Mazuz, the Shliach for French speakers in Netanya, for the sum of $30,000.

The merit of purchasing the Aliya of Choson Bereishis to then give that honor to the Rebbe was purchased by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Sailem from Tel Aviv, for the sum of $31,000.

The right to Hagbah and Gelila of the Sefer Torah for the entire year was purchased R’ Mendel Raksin and R’ Zalman Chain for $20,000.

The right of opening the Aron Kodesh throughout the year was purchased by Rabbi Avraham Michalshvili, a Shliach in Eastern European Georgia, for $28,000.

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