When one thinks of animals that could represent the Jewish people, one thinks of lions— the symbol of the tribe of Judah, or of eagles, since, after all, Moses describes the Children of Israel leaving Egypt as eaglets gliding along on the back of their Parent. Or one might think go meek and gentle kosher animals, sheep, lambs, even goats. But what of the rabbits that are represented on the very first page of Ashkenazic haggadot, both in manuscript, and later, printed, and which appear in various Sephardic contexts as well? We will explore a symbol that was developed by the patrons and artists of the medieval haggadah as an example of Jewish creativity, ingenuity, and political savvy.
This talk can stand alone,
or you may enjoy it as part of the series
"The Secret Language of Jewish Art"
^click to access