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Schottenstein Interlinear Haggadah

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The Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Haggadah
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order from Artscroll 		The Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Haggadah
The Passover Haggadah with an Interlinear Translation, Instructions, and Comments
Edited by Rabbi Menachem Davis
ArtScroll Series - Mesorah Publications, New York: 2006
ISBN: 1-57819-064-9
Reviewed by Auggie Moore - November 4, 2008

A Haggadah is just a Haggadah, isn't it? Not always. The Schottenstein Interlinear Haggadah is perhaps the most unique dual language Haggadah available for English readers. This wonderful Haggadah contains the complete text of the Haggadah, in Hebrew. What makes this Haggadah unique is that underneath the Hebrew text, is an English translation. However, unlike many 'translation' Haggadahs rather than having the translation run left-to-right against the right-to-left Hebrew text, this Haggadah presents the English translation right-to-left, the same as the Hebrew text. In addition to presenting both texts in the same direction, also included are various types of notational arrows that help your eye to follow the text and to know when grammatical breaks occur, such as dashes and semicolons.

This Haggadah makes a Passover Seder, conducted in Hebrew, fully accessible to someone with little or no Hebrew knowledge. In addition to the basic text, this volume also includes a handy guides on Preparing for Passover and for the Seder, as well as a brief overview of the importance and significance of the Passover Seder. Instructions are provided in English and brief commentaries on the text can be found throughout. It is also an ideal text for students of Hebrew to read as a study aid. This is because you can read the Hebrew text, while easily ignoring the English translation until such time as you come across a word or phrase that you are unfamiliar with. It can also be used as a study aid for those desirous of learning more about the Passover and the Seder.

When I first heard of the interlinear Haggadah, I thought that having the English translation run along with the Hebrew in a right-to-left configuration would be confusing and make it hard to follow along with the Hebrew reading of the Haggadah during the Seder. To my amazement, I found that I was totally wrong. Having the English translation directly beneath the Hebrew word in question actually makes it easier and quicker for the eye to catch the translation as you follow along with the Hebrew text. This alignment also removed the difficulty that I've had with other texts of losing my place in the Hebrew text as I searched for the English translation of a word I did not know.

I know that my description of the interlinear translation system might sound a bit confusing, so I suggest that you visit Artscroll's webpage for the The Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Haggadah. Scroll down a little more than half way down the page and you'll find links to sample pages from this Haggadah, allowing you to see for yourself how the interlinear translation system works.

The Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Haggadah is just one of the many prayer books published by Mesorah Publications that feature the interlinear translation. Other prayer books that are available include:
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