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book_lizard42's review against another edition
4.0
I am not Jewish, but I requested the book because I am interested in culture and the historical background of my own faith. I received this book a couple of hours ago, and it is an impressive work. My husband is adding it to his own to-read list.
dr_laurie_1968's review against another edition
3.0
First, what I like about this new haggadah.
1) The use of different styles of Hebrew letters as illustrations throughout the book and the cover.
2) Daniel Handler's (aka Lemony Snicket) commentaries, especially on the Four Parents and the lechem oni (bread of affliction). Hahaha
3) The historical time line running along the top of the book, although it would be awkward to actually read when you are in the middle of the seder.
4) The translation has some wonderfully poetic turns but this is also the aspect I most disliked. (see below)
What I did not like:
1) This is a haggadah for those who know their Hebrew well. I personally hate transliteration, but there is no middle ground. You have either the whole story and the songs in Hebrew or Nathan Englander's translation, which has its own issues.
2) This haggadah requires a seder leader who knows what they are doing and can explain to others what is going on. If you are unfamiliar with the seder, you don't get a lot a of user friendly explanation. I would only use this at a seder with other Jews who are very comfortable with Hebrew, the seder ritual, and know all the songs.
3) How could two such talented and sensitive Jewish authors who are younger than me not use inclusive language?!? Or even think that it is okay not to give an explanation for why they didn't!!!!?!?
I am always interested in different siddurim and haggadot and even have orthodox ones on my shelf, but I am afraid I will never be able to use this haggadah as a whole for my seder because of the language that excludes me and my daughter and half of my guests! I am frankly puzzled and at a loss as to why they would choose to make the translation/interpretation so exclusive. As a Hebrew teacher, I fully understand that a more literal translation of the text has all the masculine pronouns and the masculine words for god. But that does not mean that we cannot make an informed and compassionate decision to translate in a way that includes daughters as well as sons.
1) The use of different styles of Hebrew letters as illustrations throughout the book and the cover.
2) Daniel Handler's (aka Lemony Snicket) commentaries, especially on the Four Parents and the lechem oni (bread of affliction). Hahaha
3) The historical time line running along the top of the book, although it would be awkward to actually read when you are in the middle of the seder.
4) The translation has some wonderfully poetic turns but this is also the aspect I most disliked. (see below)
What I did not like:
1) This is a haggadah for those who know their Hebrew well. I personally hate transliteration, but there is no middle ground. You have either the whole story and the songs in Hebrew or Nathan Englander's translation, which has its own issues.
2) This haggadah requires a seder leader who knows what they are doing and can explain to others what is going on. If you are unfamiliar with the seder, you don't get a lot a of user friendly explanation. I would only use this at a seder with other Jews who are very comfortable with Hebrew, the seder ritual, and know all the songs.
3) How could two such talented and sensitive Jewish authors who are younger than me not use inclusive language?!? Or even think that it is okay not to give an explanation for why they didn't!!!!?!?
I am always interested in different siddurim and haggadot and even have orthodox ones on my shelf, but I am afraid I will never be able to use this haggadah as a whole for my seder because of the language that excludes me and my daughter and half of my guests! I am frankly puzzled and at a loss as to why they would choose to make the translation/interpretation so exclusive. As a Hebrew teacher, I fully understand that a more literal translation of the text has all the masculine pronouns and the masculine words for god. But that does not mean that we cannot make an informed and compassionate decision to translate in a way that includes daughters as well as sons.
emmmmmers's review against another edition
I love this Haggadah! So much heckin' good commentary.
brandonisaacson416's review against another edition
3.0
Note: Rating based on content as literature. If I was simply rating this as a new American Haggadah, I would give it a 5. I love the ways they make it more clear, accessible and visual.
sophronisba's review against another edition
3.0
This is a beautiful book, and since Nathan Englander translated it, you know that it must be beautifully written. When I opened it for the first time, I wished I had ordered more than one copy, so I could use it at our seder this year.
But after I read it, I decided that I am just as happy with the current Haggadah, one I assembled by taking the parts I liked best from half-a-dozen sources. Yes, probably violating all sorts of copyright laws, but I'm not trying to sell it or pass it off as my work, so I think I'm okay. (I would argue it falls under Fair Use.)
Here's what I like about it: did I mention that it's beautiful? It's really, really beautiful. But here's what I don't like about it: no gender-neutral language, and no mention of alternative traditions such as the Miriam's Cup (which has been a part of our seder for many years). These omissions make the Haggadah feel dated. I like to strike a balance between tradition and modernity, and I don't think this haggadah does that quite. There are also no transliterations, which would really be a deal-breaker for us since we often invite non-Jewish friends to our seder and we want them to be comfortable and feel included.
Having said that, there are many passages I like and I think I will incorporate parts of it into my crazy quilt of a Haggadah.
But after I read it, I decided that I am just as happy with the current Haggadah, one I assembled by taking the parts I liked best from half-a-dozen sources. Yes, probably violating all sorts of copyright laws, but I'm not trying to sell it or pass it off as my work, so I think I'm okay. (I would argue it falls under Fair Use.)
Here's what I like about it: did I mention that it's beautiful? It's really, really beautiful. But here's what I don't like about it: no gender-neutral language, and no mention of alternative traditions such as the Miriam's Cup (which has been a part of our seder for many years). These omissions make the Haggadah feel dated. I like to strike a balance between tradition and modernity, and I don't think this haggadah does that quite. There are also no transliterations, which would really be a deal-breaker for us since we often invite non-Jewish friends to our seder and we want them to be comfortable and feel included.
Having said that, there are many passages I like and I think I will incorporate parts of it into my crazy quilt of a Haggadah.
craftyhilary's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, but I expected more from it. Not planning on purchasing to supplement future seders.
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