Cushion for Passover Seder, Europe, 18th century

Red silk cushion used at the Passover Seder, to enable the celebrant to carry out the commandment to eat the Passover meal reclining. Embroidered in silver thread with satin stitch. Central embroidered scene shows High Priest about to sacrifice the Paschal lamb with the city of Jerusalem in the background. Inscribed in Hebrew "and God said to Moses this month shall be to you the beginning of months; ...and they shall take themselves each a lamb" (Exodus 22:2-3).