On Passover, Jews are commanded to retell the story of the Exodus, but the book they use to do it seems just as focused on food and drink as it is on the story itself. Why?
It’s not that they were exceptionally sophisticated or tolerant, as one popular recent article would have it—it’s that they lived surrounded by people who raised pigs.
An expression of God’s enduring compassion.
The history of Ḥad Gadya.
Satan at the seder.
A tale of two Josephs.
The most widely read, beloved, and perplexing book of the Jewish tradition.
“Even as the ancient Hebrew people answered the call of freedom, we too must heed its voice.”
A few months ago, I was approached with a request to become involved in a then-secret mission: to examine one of the very few high-medieval Haggadahs still in private hands.
In the international gothic style.
The Worms mahzor.
A sumptuous new book collects 100 examples of decorated and illuminated haggadahs from across Europe, Israel, America, and beyond.
“All who are hungry, come and eat . . . ”