Service for the two first nights of Passover. According to the custom of the Spanish, Portuguese, and German Jews. With notes, explanatory and practical, carefully translated from the original Hebrew. By David Levi. London 1794. Especially rare haggadah.
First edition of the translation of David Levi (1742-1801), printed with Hebrew and English on facing pages. The haggadah integrates both the Ashkenazic and Sephardic customs and was intended for immigrants from Spain, Portugal and Ashkenaz. Instructions in Hebrew and in Ladino. With Ashkenazic translation in Hebrew letters of hymns: Adir Hu, Echad Mi Yodei’a and Chad Gadya.
This is the third or fourth haggadah ever printed with English translation.
David Levi’s also translated a six-volume set of prayer books and machzors. His precise translation was reused in many later editions, both in England and in America. The first haggadah printed in the United States (New York, 1837) was printed with his translation.
39 leaves, 7 pages, 20.5 cm. Yaari 254, Otzar HaHaggadot 371. Fine condition. Usage stains. Simple binding.