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Rylands Haggadah
The John Rylands Library
Type	Sephardi Haggadah
Date	Mid-14th century
Place of origin	Catalonia, Spain
Language(s)	Hebrew
Author(s)	Unknown
Material	Parchment
Size	Leaf height: 280 mm, width: 230 mm.
Format	Codex
Condition	Conserved between July 2011 and March 2012 by Steve Mooney at the John Rylands Library
Script	Sephardi square script
Previously kept	Enriqueta Rylands; James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford

The Rylands Haggadah is an illuminated Sephardi Passover Haggadah written and illuminated in Catalonia, Spain in the mid-14th century. It is generally regarded as one of the finest preserved and most ornate Haggadot in the world, and as an example of the "cross-fertilisation between Jewish and non-Jewish artists within the medium of manuscript illumination."

Description

The Rylands Haggadah is an illuminated Passover Haggadah of the Sephardi rite dated to the mid-14th century, and produced in a style attributable to Catalonia, Spain. It contains piyyutim (liturgical poems) meant to be recited during Passover week and the Sabbath before Passover, as well as marginal commentary and a number full-page paintings. The illustrated cycle extends from the beginning of the Book of Exodus to the Passover sacrifice. The artistic highlight of the Rylands Haggadah lies in its series of full-page paintings, which form an illustrated cycle extending from the beginning of the Book of Exodus to the depiction of the Passover sacrifice. These paintings not only serve as visual embellishments but also serve to elucidate and amplify the narrative of the Exodus story, bringing it to life in vivid detail. Notably, the illustrated cycle culminates in a unique portrayal of a Passover seder, an unconventional yet compelling addition that further immerses the viewer in the ritual and symbolism of the Passover celebration.

The manuscript measures 28 centimetres (11 in) long by 23 centimetres (9 in) wide.

Provenance and history

As is the case with the majority of Sephardi Haggadah of that period, the manuscript's provenance is shrouded in mystery. The identities of the patron, scribes, compilers, and illuminators who produced the work remain unknown. In 1901, the book was sold by James Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford of Haigh Hall, to Enriqueta Rylands. It was later bequeathed to The John Rylands Library.

Conservator Steve Mooney spent eight months restoring and conserving the manuscript, and it is now fully digitized.

From March to September 2012, Rylands Haggadah was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Illustrations

The Haggadah contains thirteen full-page miniatures with a cycle of biblical illustrations, ending in a panel of four scenes representing the Passover celebration, as well as eleven illustrations of the text set in the margins. These illustrations include:

• The Burning Bush and the Miraculous Staff of Moses (right); The Healing of Moses's Arm, the Return to Egypt, and Zipporah Circumcising Her Son (left)
• The Miraculous Staff of Aaron and the Plague of Blood (right); The Plagues of Frogs and of Lice (left)
• The Rylands Haggadah: The Plagues of Wild Beasts and of Cattle Disease (right); The Plagues of Boils and of Hail (left)
• The Rylands Haggadah: The Plagues of Locusts and of Darkness (right); The Death of the Firstborn and the Looting of Treasures (left)
• The Rylands Haggadah: The Israelites Leaving Egypt and the Pharaoh's Pursuing Army (right); The Crossing of the Red Sea (left)
• The Preparation of the Paschal Lamb and the Marking of the Door (above); The Celebration of the Seder (below)

The illustrations in the Rylands Haggadah are rich in detail in significance. They reflect both the artistic style of the time, as well as the cultural context in which it was produced. Some of the key features of the illustrations would be the biblical scenes, decoration and ornamentation, symbolism and iconography, figurative art, and marginalia.

Regarding the biblical scenes, many of the illustrations serve to visually narrate the story being told in the text. This would include artistic depictions from the biblical narrative of Exodus, including the plagues inflicted upon Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the receiving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.

Beyond narrative scenes, the manuscript is adorned and embellished with intricate decorations and ornamentation. This would include floral motifs, geometric designs, and colorful borders. These elements of decoration and design enhance the aesthetic appeal of the manuscript.

As for the symbolism, the illustrations in the Rylands Haggadah are rich in symbolic imagery; many of which convey deeper theological and cultural meanings. Its incorporation of various symbols and iconography is associated with both Jewish religious tradition and medieval art. For example, the depiction of the Passover lamb or the unleavened bread (matzah) carries symbolic significance related to themes of sacrifice and redemption.

Figurative art like human figures and biblical characters such as depictions of Moses, Pharaoh, and others are also commonly found in the illustrations. These figures in particular are often stylized and portrayed in a manner consistent with medieval artistic conventions. The artwork in the Rylands Haggadah also reflects the cultural and artistic influences of the time and place in which it had been created. Scholars have extensively studied the Rylands Haggadah's illustrations to gain insights into medieval Jewish life, religious practices, and artistic techniques. The manuscript's imagery provides valuable clues about the cultural milieu in which it was produced, shedding light on the religious beliefs, social customs, and visual aesthetics of the Jewish communities of that era.

The illustrations in the Rylands Haggadah stand as a testament to the rich artistic heritage of medieval Jewish manuscript illumination and offer a compelling glimpse into the enduring significance of the Passover story in Jewish tradition. Through their meticulous detail and symbolic imagery, these illuminations continue to captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike, reaffirming the enduring legacy of this extraordinary manuscript.

Gallery

• 
  The Plagues of Locusts and of Darkness (right); The Death of the Firstborn and the Looting of Treasures (left)
• 
  The Preparation of the Paschal Lamb and the Marking of the Door (above); The Celebration of the Seder (below)