Siméon

1991 · réf. 52807 — Washington: Library of Congress 1991. Limited edition. Hardcover. Fine condition. 92/500. The Library's most important Hebrew illuminated manuscript is known as the "Washington Haggadah" because of its location in Washington D.C. A Haggadah the plural is haggadot is a liturgical work that is recited in the home at the festive evening meal of Passover in order to fulfill the biblical injunction Exodus 13:8 to recount the story of the Exodus to each generation. Haggadot are often illustrated the theory being that this will keep the children interested and awake during the reciting of the text. Completed on January 29 1478 the Washington Haggadah was signed by Joel ben Simeon a well-known scribe and artist responsible for more than a dozen other Hebrew illuminated manuscripts found in collections around the world. In addition to the full text of the Passover night liturgy the Washington Haggadah features stunningly intricate illuminated panels and a series of Passover illustrations that include depictions of "The Four Sons" "The Search for Leaven" and "The Messiah Heralded." The enduring popularity of Joel ben Simeon's miniatures is reflected in the many reproductions of his work that have appeared over the years in anthologies of Jewish art and manuscript painting. In 1991 the Library of Congress published this facsimile edition of the Washington Haggadah accompanied by a companion volume with a detailed scholarly description analysis and assessment of the manuscript. This edition faithfully preserves the original text with the Hebrew facsimile appearing in the original right-to-left orientation. It will be read and treasured by anyone interested in Jewish history medieval illuminated manuscripts and the history of the Haggadah. The Haggadah itself is bound in leather. The commentary by Myron Weinstein is a separate volume bound in cloth with both volumes encased in a cloth covered clamshell box. Library of Congress hardcover books