Passover Haggadah – Service for the First Nights of Passover - Illustrated by Gustave Doré | Tel Aviv, Sinai Publishing, c. 1950s - 1950

A beautifully produced mid-20th-century Passover Haggadah, combining traditional Hebrew text with a full English translation, rich biblical illustration, and a rare musical supplement.

Bibliographic Details
• Title: Service for the First Nights of Passover
• Hebrew title: הגדה של פסח
• English translation by: Joseph Loewy & Joseph Guens
• Illustrations: Numerous illustrations in colour and monochrome after Gustave Doré
• Publisher: Sinai Publishing House
• Place of publication: Tel Aviv
• Date: Circa 1950s
• Pagination: 78 pages
• Language: Hebrew with facing English translation
• Additional content: Musical supplement with printed musical notation for traditional Passover songs


This Haggadah presents the traditional Passover Seder text in Hebrew, accompanied by a clear and accessible English translation, making it suitable both for ritual use and for an international readership.

The volume is richly illustrated with iconic biblical scenes after Gustave Doré, including dramatic depictions of the Exodus, Moses, and other key moments from the Hebrew Bible. These illustrations, reproduced in both colour and monochrome, lend the book strong visual and artistic appeal.

A particularly attractive feature is the musical supplement, which includes printed musical scores for classic Passover hymns such as Chasal Siddur Pesach, Adir Hu, Echad Mi Yodea, and others—an uncommon and desirable addition for collectors.

Binding
• Original faux-leather binding, elaborately embossed with a floral decorative pattern
• Copper plaque on front cover depicting Rachel’s Tomb, executed in Bezalel style
• The plaque is integrated into the cover design and gives the book a distinctly Israeli artistic character, closely associated with early statehood craftsmanship and Bezalel aesthetics

Condition
• Overall good vintage condition
• Wine stains visible on several pages, consistent with traditional Seder use
• General age-related toning and light wear
• Binding intact, pages complete
• No missing leaves observed

Collecting Interest

This Haggadah is of particular interest to:
• Collectors of illustrated Haggadot
• Judaica collectors focusing on Israeli publishing
• Admirers of Gustave Doré biblical imagery
• Collectors of Bezalel-style decorative bindings
• Those seeking historically used, authentic Seder books with visible ritual life

An evocative and culturally rich example of post-war Israeli Judaica, combining text, art, music, and craftsmanship in a single volume.