Bidspirit auction | Rabbi Zvi Raphaeli - Illustrated

Rabbi Zvi Raphaeli - Illustrated Passover Haggadah - 1975 - A stunning and richly illustrated edition of the Passover Haggadah, adorned with full-color artwork by Rabbi Zvi Raphaeli, a renowned Israeli artist known for blending religious themes with modern expressionist style. Published in Jerusalem–Tel Aviv by Mailer, this edition is dated 5736 / 1976, and was printed by the United Artists Press (Dfus Omanim Meuhadim) – a distinguished art printing house in Israel during the 1970s. • Format: Approximately 72 unnumbered pages • Binding: Original hardcover with illustrated dust jacket (DJ) • Dimensions: ~28 × 27 cm (landscape format) • Language: Hebrew • Illustrator: Rabbi Zvi Raphaeli • Printer: United Artists Press, Jerusalem–Tel Aviv This Haggadah tells the story of the Exodus through bold and emotive paintings that span the pages in vivid color. Each scene – from the Seder night to the splitting of the sea – is intertwined with expressive Hebrew lettering and symbolic imagery. The visual language draws on both traditional Jewish motifs and modern themes, including poignant references to the Holocaust and Jewish survival, echoing the national rebirth of Israel. Raphaeli’s style is immediately recognizable: saturated colors, expressive brushwork, and a deep spiritual sensibility. The oversized Hebrew letters used in the design are often integrated into the illustrations themselves, creating a seamless fusion of text and image. • Condition: The book is in very good condition overall. The pages are clean and bright. The dust jacket is original, showing light edge wear and minor chipping along the top margin (see photos). Binding firm and intact. • Provenance: Private collection, Israel. This is a rare and collectible Passover Haggadah, both as a piece of Judaica and as a standalone work of modern Israeli art. Suitable for collectors of fine illustrated books, Judaica, or 20th-century Hebrew art.