Definition

Noun: 1. A Jewish text recited during the Passover Seder: The Haggadah is a book or text containing the liturgy, prayers, narrative, and songs for the Passover Seder, the ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Its primary purpose is to fulfill the biblical commandment to tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt to each new generation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Every year, our family uses the same illustrated Haggadah for the Seder.
  • The rabbi explained a passage from the Haggadah about the Four Children.
  • There are many different versions of the Haggadah, some with modern commentaries.

Advanced Usage

• "The Haggadah" (capitalized): When used with the definite article and capitalized, it specifically refers to the traditional text used in the Passover ritual.
  • The central narrative of the Haggadah recounts the Israelites' slavery and liberation.

Variants and Related Words

• Haggadic (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the Haggadah or non-legal Jewish narrative literature (Aggadah).
  • The rabbi shared a haggadic interpretation of the Exodus story.
• Aggadah (n): The broader category of non-legalistic rabbinic literature, including stories, parables, and ethical teachings, from which the Passover Haggadah draws.
• Seder (n): The ritual Passover meal during which the Haggadah is read.

Synonyms

• Passover narrative
• Seder text

Related Phrases

• To read from the Haggadah: The act of reciting the text during the Seder.
  • The youngest child often reads from the Haggadah to ask the Four Questions.

Noun

1. Talmudic literature that does not deal with law but is still part of Jewish tradition