Overview
This lecture covers the origins, use, and artistic significance of the Golden Haggadah, a luxurious illuminated manuscript used during Passover, highlighting its religious, cultural, and stylistic features in medieval Spain.
The Story of Passover
- Passover commemorates the Jewish people’s escape from slavery in Egypt as told in the Book of Exodus.
- The seder meal includes the ritual retelling of this story, starting with the question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
- Key events include Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and the ten plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians.
- The last plague, death of the firstborn, was avoided by Jews who marked their doors with red, so the Angel of Death “passed over” them.
The Golden Haggadah Manuscript
- The haggadah is a special book used to narrate and guide the Passover seder.
- The Golden Haggadah, made circa 1320 in Barcelona, is one of the most elaborate haggadot, featuring 56 gold-leaf miniatures.
- Its luxurious materials and fine condition suggest it belonged to a wealthy Jewish family and may have been used ceremonially.
Artistic Features and Cultural Context
- The Golden Haggadah’s illustrations follow the Christian Gothic style common in medieval Europe.
- Artistic elements include long flowing figures, patterned backgrounds, and architectural details.
- The manuscript reflects Jewish, Christian, and Islamic artistic influences due to cultural interactions in medieval Spain.
- Despite prohibitions on “graven images,” illustrated haggadot were seen as educational and exempt.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Haggadah — “Narration” in Hebrew; a book containing the Passover story, prayers, and rituals.
- Golden Haggadah — A lavishly illuminated Passover haggadah from 14th-century Spain.
- Seder — The ritual meal marking the beginning of Passover.
- Gothic Art — A European art style (12th–16th centuries) featuring ornate, elongated figures and decorative backgrounds.
- Sephardic Jews — Jews from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the story of Passover and the ten plagues.
- Study examples of Gothic art and compare them to the Golden Haggadah’s illustrations.
- Read about the cultural role of Sephardic Jews in medieval Spain.