Frankfurt Passover Haggadah

Frankfurt Passover Haggadah – Propyläen Verlag – Jewish Museum Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Frankfurt am Main (Germany) — 1731

Elaborate calligraphy and opulent illumination in a late Haggadah manuscript: Jakob Michael May's lovingly crafted Passover Haggadah for his parents as an expression of the flourishing Jewish book art of the 18th century

  1. Jakob Michael May Segal (d. 1768) dedicated the elaborate Haggadah manuscript to his prosperous parents

  2. It combines ancient traditions with the art of the 17th and 18th centuries to create a unique gem of Jewish book art

  3. The rich illumination consists of 67 colorful miniatures and beautifully illuminated initial words and decorated letters

Frankfurt Passover Haggadah

  1. Description
  2. Single Page
  3. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Frankfurt Passover Haggadah

Long after Gutenberg's printing press had become established, Jewish book illumination experienced a new heyday in German-speaking regions in the 18th century. It was an expression of the social advancement of many Jews during this period, but also of the unbroken tradition of the ancient profession of Torah scribes. In the Frankfurt Passover Haggadah of 1731, these two factors came together to create a particularly original and artistic example of early modern Jewish book art. Its literate and learned scribe and illuminator, Jakob Michael May Segal (d. 1768), illuminated the texts for the Seder with 67 colorful miniatures, some of which can be traced back to the influential Amsterdam Haggadah of 1695. In their beauty and opulence, however, they also reflect the spirit of the Rococo era. The fine calligraphy of the Hebrew-Aramaic Haggadah text, on the other hand, is characterized by great evenness and clarity. It is also accompanied by instructions, most of which are in Yiddish. The manuscript thus provides a wonderful insight into the religious life of wealthy Jews in 18th century Germany.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Frankfurter Pessach-Haggadah
Size / Format
54 pages / 25.4 × 18.1 cm
Origin
Germany
Date
1731
Style
Language
Script
Ashkenazic square script
Illustrations
67 miniatures, illuminated initial words, and several decorated letters
Content
Bible texts, religious poems, songs and ritual regulations for the Passover
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Schalom Asch (1880–1957)
Ignatz Bubis

Available facsimile editions:
Frankfurt Passover Haggadah – Propyläen Verlag – Jewish Museum Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)
Propyläen Verlag – Frankfurt/Berlin, 1988
Limited Edition: 300 copies
Single Page

Frankfurt Passover Haggadah

Abraham Smashes the Idols

This beautifully illuminated page marks the beginning of the stories for the Seder. The text opens with the words, “In the beginning, our fathers were idolaters.” The miniature then shows Abraham smashing religious statues, the pieces of which are already scattered around him – probably images of the moon god Sin, who was worshipped in Abraham's hometown of Ur.

Both the text and the image emphasize that Abraham renounces this ancient cult, which must once have been his own, after recognizing Yahweh as his God. The physical destruction here represents above all the inner renunciation of the religious customs of his homeland and his upbringing.

Frankfurt Passover Haggadah – Propyläen Verlag – Jewish Museum Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Die Frankfurter Pessach-Haggadah

Propyläen Verlag – Frankfurt/Berlin, 1988

Publisher: Propyläen Verlag – Frankfurt/Berlin, 1988
Limited Edition: 300 copies
Binding: Half vellum binding. Comes in a protective cloth case.
Commentary: 1 volume (153 pp.) by Felicitas Heimann-Jelinek and Johannes Wachten
Language: German
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