Ethiopian Jews take part in prayers on the Sigd holiday at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooking the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Nov. 28, 2024. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
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Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday to celebrate Sigd, an ancient holiday that has taken on renewed meaning amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas.
The celebration, held annually on the 29th of the month of Cheshvan (50 days after Yom Kippur), saw worshippers converge on the Armon Hanatziv Promenade—which overlooks the Temple Mount from the south—and the Western Wall for prayers and festivities.
Sigd, which means “prostration” in Ge’ez (aka Classical Ethiopic), has been observed by Ethiopian Jews, the Beta Israel, for centuries as a day to renew their covenant with God and express their longing for Zion. Traditionally in Ethiopia, community members would ascend a high mountain to pray, symbolizing the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Now in Israel, the community continues this tradition with a focus on unity and cultural pride.
This year’s prayers focused on the safe return of the 101 hostages held in Gaza, including Avraham Mengistu, a member of the Ethiopian community. President Isaac Herzog, who attended the ceremony, emphasized the holiday’s relevance to current events, saying, “Our brothers and sisters have not yet returned home from Gaza. Their voices cry out to us from underground, reminding us that there is no greater mitzvah than the redemption of captives.”
The day began with fasting and prayers, led by spiritual leaders known as Kessim, who are parallel to the rabbis found in other Jewish communities. Many worshippers wore traditional white garments. The Kessim carried the Orit, the Ethiopian Torah written in the ancient Ge’ez language, and recited passages including parts of the Book of Nehemiah.
Comment:
These Jews must also be plotting to take over the world by the power of gold. They too must be “white supremacists”. Okay, their skins are not white - but they are wearing white garments! See? What better proof do you need?
But look at the colors of their umbrellas. Gorgeous!