The Haggadah (Hebrew: הַגָּדָה, “telling”) and Aggadah (Aramaic: אַגָּדָה) refer to non-legalistic interpretations and stories concerning the Hebrew Bible in Rabbinic Judaism. They offer explanations and expansions on the biblical narrative to provide inspiration, moral lessons, and insights into history and human nature.
The Haggadah specifically refers to the text recited at the Passover Seder which recounts the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The term can also refer more broadly to the entire ritual of the Passover Seder night. The Haggadah contains the core narrative elements of the Exodus story, prayers, blessings, and ritual instructions for the Seder. It often incorporates commentary, stories, and songs that provide additional perspectives on the Exodus story and lessons on faith, hope, and freedom.
Some key elements of the Haggadah include:
- The Four Questions – Mah Nishtanah – traditionally asked by the youngest child present to highlight the uniqueness of the Passover celebration.
- The Four Children – representations of different attitudes towards the Seder ritual and Jewish identity.
- Dayenu – a song thanking God for all the gifts bestowed upon the Jewish people.
- Rabban Gamliel’s Three Symbols – explanations for the symbolic foods of the Seder plate.
- The Ten Plagues – recounting the biblical plagues on Egypt.
- In Every Generation… – relating the Exodus to current times.
- The Cup of Elijah – welcoming the prophet Elijah as a harbinger of the Messiah.
The Aggadah, on the other hand, refers more broadly to rabbinic interpretations of biblical texts and morality tales from the Oral Torah. While Halakha focuses on matters of Jewish law, Aggadah aims to find deeper symbolic meaning in the biblical texts.
Some examples of Aggadic teachings:
- Midrashim – early rabbinic commentaries expanding on parts of the biblical narrative.
- Parables – stories with a metaphorical message, like those told by Jesus.
- Folklore and legends embellishing events or figures in the Bible.
- Kabbalistic interpretations of the hidden, mystical significance behind the biblical texts.
- Ethical teachings and homilies aiming to instruct on proper morals and values.
- Aggadic sections of the Talmud – the central text of Rabbinic Judaism.
While the Haggadah has a fixed text and liturgical purpose, the Aggadah is more freeform and wide-ranging in its goals. Yet both offer additional insights into the biblical narrative and the celebration of Jewish faith and identity. When Jewish families gather to recite the Haggadah at their Passover Seder, they are participating in a ritual that combines the fixed liturgy of the Haggadah with informal storytelling, discussion, and song drawing from the Aggadic tradition.
Some key differences between the Haggadah and the Aggadah:
Haggadah
- Specifically focused on the Passover story and Seder ritual
- Fixed text that is standardized, though with some variations
- Recited/read at the Passover Seder
- Primary purpose is telling the Passover story and fulfilling Seder rituals
- Originated around 2nd century CE
- Originally transmitted orally before being codified in writing
Aggadah
- Broad commentary on all parts of the Hebrew Bible
- Not one unified text, but a collection of wide-ranging oral traditions and literary works
- Can be told/discussed at any time, not just at festivals
- Seeks to find abstract meanings and life lessons in biblical texts
- Originated from oral traditions dating back to 5th century BCE
- First began being written down around 1st century CE
In summary, the Haggadah refers specifically to the Passover Seder text while the Aggadah refers broadly to rabbinic interpretative storytelling across all parts of the Hebrew Bible. Yet both enrich the biblical narrative and bring it to life with added meaning and relevance throughout history. The Haggadah allows Jews to re-experience the Exodus every Passover, while the Aggadic tradition breathes new insights into ancient scriptures.
References to the Haggadah and Aggadah in the Hebrew Bible:
Haggadah
As the Haggadah was developed after the closure of the Hebrew Bible, there are no direct references to it in the biblical text. However, the Hebrew Bible, especially the Torah books, provides the narrative backbone and scriptural basis for the stories and rituals recounted in the Haggadah:
Exodus 12:1-28 – God’s instructions to Moses regarding the Passover sacrifice. This provides the scriptural origins of the Passover rituals which the Haggadah expounds upon.
Exodus 12:29 – Death of the firstborn Egyptians. The tenth and climactic plague before the Israelites’ deliverance.
Exodus 12:37-42 – The Exodus from Egypt. The foundational narrative commemorated in the Passover Haggadah.
Exodus 13:3-10 – Consecration of the firstborn. Remembering the Exodus through ritual observance.
Deuteronomy 16:1-8 – Telling the Exodus story to children. An early precedent for the Passover Haggadah traditions.
Aggadah
The Aggadah developed as rabbinic sages expounded upon the stories and morals in the Bible. So direct references to Aggadah are also not found in the biblical text. However, many passages served as jumping-off points for Aggadic interpretation over the centuries:
Genesis Rabbah – A 5th century midrash collecting Aggadic interpretations of the Book of Genesis.
Exodus Rabbah – Midrash on Exodus with Aggadic components.
Ruth Rabbah – Aggadic midrash on the Book of Ruth.
Ecclesiastes Rabbah – Aggadic commentary on Ecclesiastes.
Song of Songs Rabbah – Aggadic midrash on the Song of Songs.
Lamentations Rabbah – Collection of aggadic and halakhic interpretations of Lamentations.
Esther Rabbah – Aggadic material on the Book of Esther.
Pesiqta de-Rav Kahana – Collection of aggadic midrashim on the Torah and special Shabbatot/festivals.
Pirkei Avot – Section of the Mishnah containing ethical teachings in the Aggadic tradition.
Aggadic components in the Talmud – The vast compendium of Rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history.
So in summary, while the Haggadah and Aggadah are not directly referenced in the Hebrew Bible, they originate from the rabbinic tradition of expanding upon and finding new meaning in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew Bible, especially the Torah, provides the foundation and backdrop for these rich interpretative practices that have helped sustain Jewish identity and faith over millennia.