The Transformation of the Haggadah's Preface as Influenced by the Development of Public Education in Europe and the United States

The seder (Passover ritual meal) and haggadah (text used during the meal) were codified in early medieval times. With the decline of women's Jewish literacy and their role in Jewish society beginning with the Industrial Revolution, the prefatory material in haggadot became more common. Since medieval times prefaces have often been added to the haggadah; yet, in the last two hunded years, the preface has changed considerably from an occasional comment to a standard set of information concerning holiday preparation. Why this change in the preface occurred is under examination in this paper. The change in Jewish educational patterns, which happened through the creation of free public education in both Europe and the United States and resulted in the need for the prefaces primarily among Jewish women, is illustrated.