Online version of the Rubens Haggadah

This is the first time that the Rubens Haggadah is available online. The Rubens Haggadah is illustrated with images from illuminated manuscripts from the Klau Library of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. The great majority of the images are taken from the First Cincinnati Haggadah, a magnificently illuminated German work on parchment which was produced in the late 15th century by Meir Jaffe ha-sofer. (See the list of illustrations at the end of the Haggadah.) While it contains all the elements of traditional haggadot, I believe it is a thoroughly modern, non-nationalistic, and rather beautiful compilation of readings from various texts (traditional as well as modern scholarly translations) and literary sources--including a power introduction excerpted from Thomas Mann's magnificent work, Joseph and his Brothers. (Available at www.RickRubens.com/haggadah.doc.)

A guide and to and commentary about the Rubens Haggadah

A page-by-page guide for the use of the Rubens Haggadah, which gives simplified instructions for its use. The commentary in it includes an extensive, scholarly exposition of the history, concepts, and practices of Passover, as well as a detailed discussion of the specific ideas behind the Rubens Haggadah itself. It has some fascinating information about the real meanings of many of the elements of the Seder--including an exposition of the idea that Passover is a psychoanalytic holiday (a concept that actually goes back to the ancient Rabbis, by the way.) Click for: www.RickRubens.com/Notes.doc.A guide and to and commentary about the Rubens Haggadah

Please feel free to view, download, use, change, or otherwise enjoy the Rubens Haggadah, the notes and commentaries, or any parts therein (remembering only that there are copyright issues about some of it that would prevent any commercial use of its images and the translations of its text). This haggadah was constructed over the years using bits and pieces of other haggadahs--as well as different translations of Biblical texts, literature, etc. Feel free to take any parts of ideas that appeal to you to use in a haggadah of your own: it is quite traditional to write a new haggadah for yourself from year to year. Or just enjoy the illuminations. And don't miss the songs at the end of it...they're fun!