I can't stop buying Haggadahs for my Seders. Here's why I'm obsessed with collecting them

They crop up each spring, like the green vegetables we eat at our Passover Seder to symbolize the season. They spread across the table taking up so much space, there's barely room to eat. 

In the beginning, I just had one: the iconic Maxwell House Haggadah, a slim text distributed free at grocery stores annually as an advertising gimmick launched by the coffee company in 1932.

Then I acquired a smattering of illustrated texts and weighty volumes authored by scholars, feminists and bearded rabbis. Each offered different commentaries on the story of the Jewish slaves’ redemption from Egypt.

Haggadah, which is Hebrew for “telling,” is a compilation of songs, blessings and the story freedom that has guided Jews through their Seders for over 2,000 years.

Scholars say it’s the most widely published Jewish book, and why not? The vast majority of American Jews —even those who don’t consider themselves religious — participate in a Seder. But without an entertaining Haggadah, a Seder might feel as dry as the desert the Jews wandered for 40 years.

In recent years, as the novelty Haggadah grew in popularity, things really began to spiral out of control.

As soon as I heard about the Harry Potter-themed Haggadah, I had to have it. Ditto for the three versions of the Haggadah parodying the Jerry Seinfeld show — yes, three. And those featuring zombies, Marvel Superheroes, and, for people in a rush, the “30-Minute Seder.”

Then a neighbor wrote a Haggadah focused on nature, and a former high school classmate turned the Haggadah into an exquisite graphic novel. A Haggadah composed entirely of emojis promised to keep our children glued to the table during the Passover seder, so I got that too.

Related: Laughter, drinking, singing and food: I miss my parents' Seder

And though my husband and I are veteran bibliophiles — with sturdy bookshelves in every room of our house that seemed to beckon each new acquisition — we have run out of space for all of my gems. 

Some people collect rare baseball cards or designer shoes. I stockpile Haggadot, the plural of Haggadah. Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a prodigious collection.

Of course, it isn’t much compared to, say, Stephen Durchslag of Chicago who, at last count, had 4,500 volumes and is believed to own the largest private collection of Haggadot in the world. But he’s certainly given me something to strive for. 

Fortunately, Passover begins late this year, on the eve of April 15, so I have plenty of time to scour for more. Dave Cowen, whose previous Haggadot made me laugh so hard I spit out my matzo ball soup, just released the “Curb Your Haggadah,” a parody of Larry David’s sitcom.

Then there’s the newly published “Shakespeare Haggadah.” As King Richard might have said had he been Jewish:  “My kingdom for a Haggadah!”

Recently, someone decided to send me a gift. And that's how I wound up with the user-friendly and beautifully illustrated "Chabad.org" Haggadah. (How did he ever know??)

I know I’m not the only one with this bookish obsession. Over the years, I’ve encountered numerous Haggadah aficionados who can’t get enough of the Passover primer.  Much of the appeal is the text itself. After all, the story of the Exodus is universal — everyone can relate to the notion of celebrating the liberation from slavery and oppression. The ultimate message of the Haggadah is one of optimism and faith.

And the Seder kicks off with a declaration that’s become my son’s favorite line: “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Most of my Haggadot consider this a call for societal change, a metaphorical opening of our doors to people who feel disenfranchised. My son, on the other hand, interprets it as an invitation to fill his plate with brisket.

Seder: Can this Jersey guy save the Seder? Teaneck author has Seinfeld, Shakespeare on the case

Each new Haggadah reflects the continued vibrancy of the holiday. Our world feels like it’s falling apart now over the pandemic, a war in Ukraine and our vast political divide. But the seder will go on, just as it always has for millennia. We will always find a way to recount the story of freedom as we dig into our matzo and bitter herbs. And if we stick it out to the end, we get to guzzle four cups of wine.

Now, if only I can get some more bookshelves.

A (very) partial list of the author's Haggadah collection

• Maxwell House Haggadah

• The (unofficial) Hogwarts Haggadah by Moshe Rosenberg (Alef to Tav 2017)

• Zombie Haggadah by Elisha Simkovich (Bookbaby 2017)

• The Superhero Haggadah: A Story of Signs and Marvels by Moshe Rosenberg  (2021)

• 30 Minute Seder by Robert Kopman  (2007)

• Fruits of Freedom: The Torah Flora Haggadah by Jon Greenberg (BookBaby 2021)

• Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel by Jordan B. Gorfinkel (Koren Publishers 2019)

• The Emoji Haggadah by Martin Bodek (Ktav Publishing House 2019)

• Curb Your Haggadah: Another Sitcom Seder by Dave Cowen (2022)

• The Shakespeare Haggadah by Martin Bodek (Wicked Son 2022)

• Chabad.Org Haggadah (2022)

Jerry Seinfeld themed Haggadot

• The Yada Yada Haggadah: A Sitcom Seder by Dave Cowen (2019)

• The Festivus Haggadah by Martin Bodek (2020)

• The Haggadah About Nothing: The (Unofficial) Seinfeld Haggadah by Rabbi Sam Reinstein (2021)

Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: yellin@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @deenayellin 

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Haggadhah for Passover Seders: Here's why I collect them