This is the very first ILLUSTRATED ISRAELI IDF PASSOVER HAGGADA printed in 1955, as the one in 1949 which came right after the war of Independence was a rush job and the IDF printing press had no time to make it a work of art as this one. There were 2 other illustrated editions identical to this edition (in 1950 thru 1954) except that the main page color was orange or pink, all are rare these days to come by.
A little background on this Hagada. The IDF hired the well known Bezalel Israeli artist A. Alaweil. He designed the various black and white woodcut illustrations which are truly inspiring! Just take a look at the various scans I made of the subtle and not so subtle woodcuts which depict a people who have suffered throughout History at the hands of the various anti-semites and who have now been given the opportunity to defend their ancestral homeland from the Arab-Nazi terrorists! (Some things never change).
What is also inspiring is that the then Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Rabbi Shlomo Goren of Blessed memory (who "Israeli-ized" from Gorenchick, which is what he called himself in the FIRST IDF Haggada) wrote the following moving words in the introduction of this Haggada:
" BLESSINGS OF THE CHIEF RABBI OF THE IDF
With the upcoming holy festival of Pessach, the festival of freedom and redemption, I extend my blessings to the soldiers of Israel's defense forces wherever they may be...We have merited to celebrate this festival of freedom in our redeemed and free country, with a new song, the song of freedom and independence of G-d's freemen...
The light of Redemption which has appeared across the skies of Israel...like the pillar of fire which went before the children of Israel when they were redeemed from Egypt has once again appeared amongst us in our victory during the war of Independence...
Soldiers of Israel! Be proud of your newly acquired freedom, the miracle of Salvation which you sacrificed in sanctifying G-d's Name, till the day will come when we will merit to see the vision of the final redemption and to celebrate the Passover festival in the Temple of G-d which will be rebuilt on the highest mountain".
Shlomo Goren,General and Chief Rabbi of the I.D.F. ". Condition: Used, wine stains which were used by a Holy Jewish soldier during that miraculous period defending the land and people of Israel from the Arab terrorists! This Haggada will truly make you feel connected to Am Yisrael (people of Israel) coming the next Seder which we all hope and pray will take place THIS YEAR IN JERUSALEM!
Condition: Used. If there's an IDF item you want, contact me and I'll see what I can do! Also read my guide on IDF items as well! Also check out my various rare and unusual Haggadot currently selling here on Ebay.
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