Seder Hagadah shel Pesach. * Leil Simchath Torah.

(HAGADAH).

Carpentras

(1780 ?)

Manuscript written on paper in a Hebrew Provencal script with some French notations on paper. Old ownership inscriptions includes those by one Monsieur Reggianito and Michael Judah Monsel (dated 1780)

Text of the Passover Hagadah, followed by liturgy for the night of Simchath Torah - both according to the Provencal rite of Carpentras."Cut off for centuries from their fellow Jews in other countries, the communities evolved in the course of time their own particular species of Jewish culture, ranging from their Judeo-Provencal patois to their characteristic synagogal architecture, from their pronunciation of Hebrew to their folklore, from their calligraphy to their cuisine. Above all, as was natural, they evolved their own rite of prayers—the former Provencal rite, embellished with local peculiarities, prayers to suit local conditions, and hymns by local poets." See Cecil Roth, Studies in Books and Booklore (1972) pp. 81-2. This Hagadah contains the rare, beautiful piyutim "Pesach Mitzrayim Asirai" and "Mibeith Aven Sheveth Medanai" (ff. 14b-16b). See Davidson Vol. III nos. 144 and 166 for other sources and variances.