Holy hosiery: Late rabbi’s socks sell for $18K on eBay

Consider investing in the sock market.

Two pairs of three-foot-long white socks worn by a revered leader in the Hasidic Jewish community brought in a haul of nearly $18,000 on eBay this week. 

After an opening price of just 99 cents, socks worn by the late Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, the founder of the Satmar sect, sold for an impressive $11,600 on Sunday, after 88 bids. 

Those amazing feet were followed by a second auction for another pair of Teitelbaum’s hose, which sold on Tuesday for $6,200 with 43 bids. 

“Pair of long, white socks used by Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar,” the listing read. “Approx. 95 cm. Good condition. Stains.”

Teitelbaum died in 1979, and his stockings were handed down to his aide, Rabbi Mendel Greenberg, who subsequently gave them to Rabbi Leib Friedman of Lakewood, NJ, according to the listing.

A letter signed by Friedman confirmed the garments’ authenticity.

“There’s a lot of people buying stuff because . . . an item that a rabbi wore has something holy in it,” said David Knobloch, who runs Rarity Auction House in Spring Valley, NY, and handled the recent sales.

Many members of the Hasidic community splurge on prayer books and garments previously used by rabbinical leaders, which they might bust out on the high holidays or when attending weddings. 

“They won’t wear it on a regular Monday … they’ll use it for special occasions,” said Brooklyn-based Judaica collector Israel Clapman, 37. 

“In the Hasidic community, they’re not buying Ferraris or Bentleys, so rare Judaica is their way of flashing bling, of throwing money around.”