From April 6 – June 6 the Schneerson library at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center holds the Passover Haggadot exhibition.
According to Jewish tradition, God commanded his people to remember the story of Exodus from Egypt and to recite it every Passover. Thus, reading of Passover Haggadah, a story of Exodus, fulfills this commandment expressed in one Hebrew word – «Zakhor!».
Unlike most sifre kodesh (Jewish religious books), Passover Haggadot are richly illustrated. Haggadah is read at the family table with children present, so the illustrations serve as visuals, making the story engaging and memorable for younger generation. As a rule, Haggadah starts with depicting the Passover rituals, followed by illustrations visualizing the Exodus story. The picture of Jerusalem Temple concludes Haggadah, symbolizing a hope for coming of the Messiah.
We exhibit four Passover Haggadot from the Schneerson collection: two of them were printed in Amsterdam (1712 and 1765), one in Pisa (1801) and one in Metz (1767).
The Amsterdam edition served until the early 1900s as a model for painters and etchers who illustrated the Passover Haggadah. The Metz Haggadah is supplemented by a map following the way of the Jews from Egypt to Canaan.
Admission is free. The Schneerson collection staff members would be glad to tell visitors about the exhibited books and to answer questions.