​The Journey of the Barcelona Hagadah: A Story of Survival and Continuity.

The Journey of the Barcelona Hagadah: A Story of Survival and Continuity.

Barcelona was a cultural magnet, the seat of a monarchy and a hub of Mediterranean trade. The large Jewish community of Barcelona, famed for its rabbinical school, was one of the epicenters of European Jewish culture in medieval times and was famed as the “city of sages” among the Jews. The city’s manuscript illuminations workshops actively produced many Haggadot as well as other illustrations.

Passover is the festival that reinforces the continuity of the Jewish people. The illustrations that have been incorporated into Barbara Shaw Gifts Matzah and afikoman covers from the Hagadot from Barcelona are a way of fusing the past with the present and the future.

Relating stories of old around the Seder table and giving those stories a modern context gives us the feeling of belonging, of being part of our people, our tribe, heritage and history. The questions asked, the foods eaten, the prayers and songs sung, reinforce the Jewish archetype. The Seder is the tradition that most Jews keep; in whatever diverse way. Passover is the past and the present with a hopeful glimpse towards the future.

The Catalan Haggadot

The illuminated Haggadot are the most outstanding works in

the entire Catalan Jewish artistic legacy. They were probably produced in the 14th century by artisans who may have worked on both Jewish and as well as Christian texts and illustrations.

At this time the economy in Barcelona was growing, and a style called Catalan Gothic came to the fore. Manuscripts were composed in a number of stages. Firstly setting out the illustrations, then preparatory sketches were made, then gold leaf and there further colors were applied

The survival and dispersal of the Hagadot from Barcelona

With the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 some Jewish families took their Haggadot with them, along with other manuscripts in their private libraries.

Only a small number of all these manuscripts have survived and those that have tend to be the ones of greatest artistic value, which over time have been acquired by collectors and later by libraries and museums. The notes made by the various owners who inherited these codices or purchased them.

The Barcelona Hagadah followed the trials of the Jews in Spain. It was known to have been sold by Shalom Latif of Jerusalem to Rabbi Moses ben Abraham of Bologna in 1459 for 50 Ducats and left the region before the explosion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and traveled all over the world.until it was bought by the British Museum in 1884.

Actually most of the Catalan Haggadot seem to have travelled initially to Italy. A number went on from there to other places such as the Balkans, France and Germanic lands. They were subsequently purchased as items of outstanding artistic value by private collectors before being later acquired by museums and libraries, especially in Britain (the British Library, University College London, University Library of Cambridge

The artistry of the Haggadagh makes clear the fact that visual aid was needed almost 700 years ago as it is needed today. "Seeing is believing" was true in Catalonia in 1380 as it is in New Jersey in 2022. Children were children and the Haggadah which comes from the Hebrew word "hegid"- "to tell" is the essence of the Jewish people. Cultural stories, prayers and art bind us, they nourish us, and they make sure we don't forget our heritage \which have kept us alive for almost 5000 years.

The product we have created answers the questions we usually don't have time to ponder on. Where are we from? Why are we here? Maybe you will find the answers while gazing upon our AVADIM HYINO matzah cover or our unleavened bread matzah cover design. Maybe it will take you back to a Seder night you took part in many years ago,

Barbara Shaw Gifts produces modern, stylish homewares, Judaica and gifts inspired by our heritage and the land of Israel, interpreted in fresh, bold colourful ways. All items are made ethically and sustainably in house in Jerusalem.