The Haggadah is a special book in Hebrew (with a few passages in Aramaic) that tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt. It explains the meaning of the symbolic objects of the Seder table, with prayers, psalms and songs. The book is actually written as an answer to the four questions asked by the youngest child at the beginning of the Seder. In effect, it presents a religious philosophy of Jewish history, with much of the text dating back to the Temple period. No doubt it received its present form at the time the Mishnah was compiled in 200 C.E.
Haggadot have been the most popular works in Jewish religious literature and a good number of them were lavishly illustrated, perhaps to hold children’s interest during the long seder. Many from the 13th to 15th century have been preserved. Originating in all countries in which Jews have lived, they were translated into most languages including each area’s Jewish vernacular – Yiddish, Ladino, Judeo-Greek, Judeo-Arabic and Judeo-Persian. Since the 15th century, there have been more than 2,700 editions published. Because of its small size, it was not too expensive to commission or purchase, and not too laborious for a scribe to write or an artist to illuminate.
The genre scenes of medieval Jewish life depict the customs of various European communities, portraying their daily and festive dress, household utensils, furniture and architecture. The “matza” and “maror” (bitter herbs) seem to be the earliest textual illustrations. Some are witty, if chauvinistic, such as the one of the man pointing at his wife (in jest, we would hope) while reciting “Maror ze” (this bitter herb).
Many illustrated editions are of great artistic value, and are in museums and important private collections. There are many beautiful Haggadot displayed in Jerusalem. The Israel Museum houses the Bird’s Head Haggadah, an illuminated manuscript published in Germany c.1300. This is the first Haggadah introducing the baking of matzot into the Exodus story. In the illustrations, the faces are distorted to conform with the Biblical prohibition against graven images; the angels are also shown with blank faces. The Museum also houses the Venice Haggadah, published 1609, which has Hebrew text in the center, and Ladino translation in columns at the sides.
The Jewish National University Library in Jerusalem displays the earliest known printed Haggadah, the only known copy in existence. It was produced in Guadalajara, Spain, in 1482 by Solomon b. Moses Alkabez. The Jerusalem collection of Michael Kauffman houses the Amsterdam Haggadah, printed in 1712 – the first to use copper engraved illustrations. The Sassoon Spanish Haggadah is in Letchworth, England. The passage: “And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand …” shows the children of Israel in medieval dress, leaving a walled town.
Today’s Israeli seder is supplemented with stories, poems and songs of the new redemption. One tells how he escaped a life worse than slavery in Germany. Others tell how they wandered over snow-capped mountains or stormy seas to reach freedom in Israel. Perhaps some recall the “bread of affliction” that they, as “halutzim,” lived on for years, until the neglected soil of Palestine began to yield harvests.
The Haggadah reminds us of liberation from slavery, and how – despite wandering and persecution for so many centuries – the Jews have survived and preserved their faith and culture. In their darkest days, the story of the Exodus as related in the Haggadah gave Jews hope that they would be saved, just as their ancestors in Egypt were redeemed from slavery.
The Haggadah is a book for all times; its message as relevant today as it was so many centuries ago.
Dvora Waysman is a Jerusalem writer, and the author of nine books, including: “The Pomegranate Pendant” and “Ester – a Jerusalem Love Story.” Australian-born, she has lived in Israel with her family for 33 years, and can be reached at
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. Her website is www.dvorawaysman.com.
The Haggadah is a special book in Hebrew (with a few passages in Aramaic) that tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt.