Illustrated manuscript, Passover Haggadah, with Passover Haftarot according to the Meknes rite, produced by R. Baruch son of R. Avraham Maimaran. [Meknes, Morocco, between 1790-1826].

Neat Western script (square and semi-cursive). Divisional title page (decorated) for Haftarot section, naming the scribe and his sons for whom he produced the manuscript: "Haftarot of Pesach according to the rite of the Meknes community… I, Baruch son of… R. Avraham Maimaran wrote it at the desire of the inseparable brothers Avraham and Moshe". On verso of title page, ownership inscription: "Avraham and Moshe son of R. Baruch Maimaran". Additional inscription on leaf before title page: "Baruch Avraham Maimaran". Colophon on last page: "I, the writer, Baruch Maimaran".

The manuscript contains many illustrations integrating European decorative traditions with the artistic styles characteristic of Islamic lands. The decorations comprise frames with vegetal patterns; large, decorated initial panels; arches and pointed arches as well as figurative illustrations. The manuscript's decorations include: large initial words incorporating minute figures (pp. 5b, 6a); illustrations of the wicked and simple of the four sons (p. 6a); illustration of a figure holding a kiddush cup (p. 8a); the words of Dayenu in a large pointed arch decorated with vegetal patterns (p. 12a); a large illustration depicting Isaac leading a lamb, the Pesach sacrifice, by a leash (p. 13b); a large illustration of a figure holding matzah against a background of vegetal decorations (p. 14a); a large illustration of a figure holding maror (p. 14b); a particularly large illustration of a figure holding a kiddush cup, near the blessing over the second cup (p. 16a); an initial panel to a verse of the Hallel, with an illustration depicting a figure holding tablets containing the words "Lo Lanu" (p. 17b); an initial panel to Nishmat Kol Chai, with an illustration of a figure holding a vessel reading "Nishmat" (p. 20b); a figure riding a horse (p. 37b).

At the end of the Haggadah, before the Haftarot section (p. 24a), appears a large illustration filling the page, depicting a large figure within a decorated arch. This illustration, captioned "This is the picture of Shefoch", preserves a Moroccan Jewish folk tradition meant to encourage children to stay awake until the end of the Haggadah: After reading Shefoch Chamatcha, they would open the door and tell the children that Shefoch (or Sifoch, in the Moroccan accent) would enter; this custom corresponds to the traditional European anticipation of Elijah.

The manuscript likewise comprises seven large initial panels decorated with rectangular frames and vegetal patterns (pp. 4a, 5a, 6b, 7a, 8b, 11a, 18a), the decoration of p. 11a includes a pointed arch; a leaf framed in a vegetal pattern (p. 29a); and additional decorated initial panels (pp. 5b, 6a, 7a).

R. Baruch Maimaran, a rabbi of Meknes (Malchei Rabanan, pp. 24a-b). Son of R. Avraham Maimaran (see: Malchei Rabanan, p. 17a), rabbi and dayan of Meknes, son-in-law of R. Yaakov Toledano (Maharit). R. Baruch's elder brother was R. Moshe Maimaran, a disciple of his grandfather the Maharit, one of the best-known rabbis of Meknes (his novellae and homilies were recently published by Machon Ahavat Shalom). R. Baruch's other brothers were R. Daniel Maimaran, R. Shlomo Maimaran and R. Shemayah Maimaran. In Mizkeret HaNiftarim Shel Rabbanei HaMaarav by R. Chaim Toledano (published by R. Avraham Hillel, Min HaGenazim, XVII, Jerusalem 2023, p. 191), R. Baruch's date of passing is given as Rosh Chodesh Shevat 1826, in the famine that prevailed that year.

Since R. Avraham Maimaran passed away in 1790 and his son R. Baruch, the writer, passed away in 1826, we date the manuscript between these two years.

[37] leaves. Approx. 10 leaves torn and missing from Haftarot section (inner margins of leaves partly preserved). Approx. 14 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dark dampstains to bottoms of leaves, with fading of words and smudging of ink. Newly bound, incorporating leather binding from Morocco (approximately contemporaneous with manuscript).

Literature: The manuscript is documented in Jewish Life in Morocco (Israel Museum catalogue, Jerusalem, 1973; Hebrew), p. 83, images 132-133.