To Show Rare Haggadoth Collection at Dedication of Hebrew University Library

One of the largest collections of Haggadoth, which relate the history of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, will be shown by the Hebrew University in connection with the dedication of the new Library Building on Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, April 14, according to word received yesterday by the American office of the University. Nearly nine hundred editions of the Haggadoth, from the invention of the printing press to the present day, will be on exhibit during the month of April, which marks the fifth anniversary of the opening of the University.

A bibliography, listing all the Haggadoth in collections throughout the world, has been compiled by the Library, to be distributed in connection with the exhibit in the Wolffsohn Memorial Library, which will be dedicated by Sir John Robert Chancellor, High Commissioner for Palestine.

The oldest copy in the University collection is the Haggadah of Mantova, printed in 1560. It is printed on wooden blocks with illustrations in the classical style of the Italian Renaissance. It contains, among others, a picture of the Messiah on a donkey before the closed gates of Jerusalem, and behind him Elijah blowing a horn. Of particular interest is the Haggadah of Venice, printed in 1601, and translated into Yiddish, Ladino (the language used by Spanish Jews), and Italian. This Haggadah contains illustrations showing the customs of the Jews in Italy, particularly the hospitality on the eve of Passover.

The illustrated Haggadoth in the University collection are among the earliest printed Jewish books. Jewish art may be traced back to the twelfth century by means of this collection, which relates the story of the “Feast of Freedom,” the most popular of Jewish festivals. Illuminations and illustrations were permitted neither in the Bible nor in the Prayer Book, but were used in the Haggadah to induce the children to keep awake during the religious services.