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The JPS Commentary on the Haggadah: Historical Introduction, Translation, and Commentary (JPS Bible Commentary) Hardcover – February 18, 2008

by Joseph Tabory (Author), David Stern (Foreword)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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Thanks to these generous donors for making the publication of this book possible: Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Best.

A definitive historical-critical commentary on the Passover seder.

The Passover haggadah enjoys an unrivaled place in Jewish culture, both religious and secular. Of all the classic Jewish books, the haggadah is the one most “alive” today. Jews continue to rewrite, revise, and add to its text, recasting it so that it remains relevant to their lives. Joseph Tabory, one of the world's leading authorities on the history of the haggadah, traces the development of the seder and the haggadah through the ages. The book features an extended introduction by Tabory, the classic Hebrew haggadah text side by side with its English translation, and Tabory’s clear and insightful critical-historical commentary.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    168 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY
  4. Publication date
    February 18, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 0.75 x 10 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0827608586
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0827608580
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a significant and valuable work that, in examining the Haggadah from an historical perspective, offers insight into Jewish history as well.” —Chicago Jewish Star
 

Review

"...every person interested in the Pesah Seder should add this volume to her book shelf, and study it now, and before the festival."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY; Bilingual edition (February 18, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 168 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0827608586
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0827608580
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.75 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
14 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Bill Dauster
5.0 out of 5 stars Uncovering the Origins of the Passover Seder
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2008
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Each year at Passover dinners called Seders, Jews around the world recite a traditional Hebrew text (with some Aramaic), handed down from generation to generation for more than a millennium. That text, called the Haggadah, tells the story of the Exodus from Egyptian bondage. How and when did this text develop? This new JPS commentary on the Haggadah seeks to answer that question.

Taking a predominantly historical and scholarly approach, the JPS Commentary on the Haggadah reviews how the Haggadah came to be the way that it is. The book sets forth an extensive essay on the Haggadah. It follows with the traditional Hebrew text along with an English translation in a parallel column. Some footnotes explain items in the text. Finally, 13 pages of black-and-white illustrations show selected pages from historic Haggadah editions.

The JPS Commentary on the Haggadah provides a worthy addition to the outstanding and growing Jewish Publication Society library of commentaries, which include the  JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis , Exodus: The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New Jps Translation (J P S Torah Commentary) , Leviticus: The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New Jps Translation (J P S Torah Commentary) , The Jps Torah Commentary: Numbers : The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New Jps Translation (J P S Torah Commentary) , The Jps Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy : The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New Jps Translation (J P S Torah Commentary) , JPS Commentary on Jonah , Jps Commentary on Esther (JPS Bible Commentary) , Ecclesiastes: The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation (The Jps Bible Commentary) , and  Bible Commentary/Haftarot . Many of these volumes, particularly Milgrom's Numbers, Tigay's Deuteronomy, and Fishbane's Haftarot, are without peer for authority and completeness.

Fans of the series may share my disappointment that the JPS Commentary on the Haggadah places so much of its analysis in the 69-page introductory essay, rather than in the footnotes to the text. In contrast to the usual volume in the JPS Commentary series, the introductory essay in the JPS Commentary on the Haggadah is longer than the annotated text itself. Many pages of the Haggadah text pass without any annotation at all. And not infrequently, footnotes to the Haggadah text merely refer the reader to discussions in the introductory essay. Especially with a text like the Haggadah, which Jews traditionally discuss and expound while reading, it would have been better to present more of the analysis in footnotes accompanying the traditional text.

And observant Jews may find the scholarly point of view of the JPS Commentary on the Haggadah somewhat antiseptic. The author appears to treat exposition of the Haggadah in the Mishnah and the Talmud more as guides to musty history than as still valid instructions for a living religion's observance. Observant Jewish readers seeking an exposition of the traditional text might do better to start with a Haggadah from the Orthodox Artscroll Publishing Company's library, like the fine  The Schottenstein Edition: The Interlinear Haggadah: The Passover Haggadah, with an Interlinear Translation, Instructions and Comments .

But these are just quibbles. The Jewish Publication Society helps to fill a substantial void with this handsome commentary on this important text. One can hope that the JPS will continue to expand its library of commentaries on holy texts, perhaps to add a commentary on the traditional Jewish prayer book (along the lines of the fine work Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals).

Each year with the Passover Seder, Jews seek to bring new life to their historical liberation story. The JPS Commentary on the Haggadah helps nicely to uncover the history of that history.
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4.0 out of 5 stars the bibliography is very useful. By in large this is a collection of ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018
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This is a book to buy for the secondary material Prof. Tabory gleans, and for anyone wanting to do further inquiry, the bibliography is very useful. By in large this is a collection of critical essays on the haggadah, and not a running commentary. It is a very good summary of some of the research in the field, and helped me to think about the formation of the text, especially in light of previous (rejected) texts in from the early Middle Ages uncovered in the Cairo Geniza.

Having said this, this is most definitely a critical/historical work, and for those not intimately familiar with the haggadah text and rabbinic history, I would not recommend it. For those looking for a religious, spiritual and contemporary messages, I would look elsewhere. In no way however, does this comment reduce the importance of this fascinating book. However, it is better used as a reference/research tool than a text to use at one's Passover seder.
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Stephen T
5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to a Jewish home
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2008
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I have several Haggadahs. You never know what you'll pick up of interest. It's always informative to read the different commentaries and after all, the seder is not just supposed to be a great meal but a great learning experience. This JPS Haggadah is a wonderful tool. It is easy to read. It is loaded with fascinating, well written, and well researched historical information on Passover and the seder service. Did you know that there originally only three questions? Did you know there were entire prayer sections removed from the service? Did you know Karpas was an anagram? Did you know why the put nuts in Charoset? Give you a hint... it has to do with fighting a hangover! The service itself is beautifully written with great commentaries. Bravo to JPS and all involved. Well worth a look.
6 people found this helpful
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Donald J. Weinshank
5.0 out of 5 stars JPS Haggadah Commentary
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2008
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This is a very scholarly and well written book. I quoted from it rather extensively in the discussion surrounding our Passover Seder. Recommended for those interested in history Passover seder.

Error. Error. I discovered to my dismay that I had used the wrong scale on several items. I reviewed every purchase in about the last five years and discovered several comparable errors. The changes should be posted within 48 hours. Terribly embarrassed about these errors.
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ILKamazon
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting presentation from historical perspective.
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2014
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PHD thesis, well written and annotated with historical perspective. Definitely not Artscroll, but very respectful of the material nonethelless. A great addition to the usual dry homiletic stuff.
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Christo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bargain for a well done resource
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2013
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Book came in perfect condition with the original retail price sticker still on it and at a much lower cost!
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abir
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Commentary
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2013
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A succinct summarization of the authors long version in hebrew. Very informative and guides you along with precise easy and lucid instructions.
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Andrew Warmflash
3.0 out of 5 stars JPS Commentary on the Haggadah
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2008
A valuable work for those interested in the history of the development of the Haggadah. I found the historical introduction fascinating. However, the commentary on the actual Haggadah is very limited and contains little if anything of a spiritual nature. A nice book to read before Passover,but not particularly useful at the seder table.
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