Title

‘Zevach Pesach’

Authors

Files

Description

A brief commentary prepared by Sandra Yocum, PhD, Associate Professor, Religious Studies, on the following work:

Zevach Pesach
Constantinople, 1505; first edition of Abrabanel's commentary; earliest obtainable edition

Comments

In 1493, the Jewish scholar Don Isaac Abrabanel published this Zevach Pesach in exile. It features the Haggadah, the account of God’s deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt, read at the seder meal to fulfill the Torah commandment to “tell your son” of God’s great deeds.

In addition to the Haggadah, the Abrabanel edition offers a learned commentary on the Exodus event. This text is described as the second text printed in Constantinople using movable Hebrew type. That fact is reason enough to treasure its existence. Yet the text’s greater significance lies in its witness to Abrabanel’s commitment to assist his people even in the midst of great personal trial to honor the Torah’s commandment to tell the story of God’s redeeming power.

Permission Statement

This item and all others in the Imprints and Impressions collection are licensed for research, educational and private use. Proper attribution must be used when downloading or reproducing this content. If you wish to use the materials for other purposes, please contact University of Dayton Libraries to obtain permission: 937-229-4221.