The Erna Michael Haggadah
Handwritten on parchment; dark brown and red ink, tempera, gold and silver leaf; square and semi-cursive Ashkenazic script
H: 35; W: 25.5 cm
Gift of Jakob Michael, New York, in memory of his wife, Erna Sondheimer Michael
B66.03.0549
181/018
This Ashkenazi Haggadah opens with the laws of Passover and includes various commentaries accompanying the text of the Haggadah. Its rich decoration includes a few illustrations of the text along with a wide range of imaginary creatures, animals, and architectural elements. One outstanding floral border includes small medallions in which a man performs the various rituals from the beginning of the Passover Seder, such as the washing of the hands, the blessing over a fresh vegetable (karpas), and the dividing of the matzah (yahatz).
The Jewish World 365 Days, from the Collections of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, USA, 2004, English
3x50@50: IMJ Collection Highlights, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2015
Perugia, Gioia (ed.), Treasures of Jewish Art: The Jakob, Erna, and Charles Michael Legacy in the Israel Museum, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2016
