Sigd
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The Ethiopian Sigd festival falls on 29th of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, and is a festival unique to the Beta Israel community. The holiday symbolizes the handing down of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The word itself is Amharic for prostration and the root letters s-g-d are the same as in Mesgid, one of two Ethiopian Jewish terms for synagogue, or Temple: a clear indication of its association with Jerusalem and its centrality in Jewish life and ritual. During the celebration members of the community fast, recite Psalms, and gather in Jerusalem where Ethiopian Rabbis called Kessim read from the Orit. The ritual is followed by the breaking of the fast, dancing, and general revelry.
[edit] References
- "The Jewish Agency for Israel page", a brief description of the holiday from the Department of Zionist Education
- "Ethiopian Jewish Culture", from the Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews
- "Photos of Sigd", by Danny Yanai
