50 Days After Yom Kippur: The Jewish Holiday Not Everyone Knows

The Sigd holiday, the central festival in the tradition of Ethiopian Jews, falls today (Monday) on the 29th of Cheshvan, 50 days after Yom Kippur. The holiday is dedicated to renewing the covenant with God, communal introspection, and longing for Jerusalem. Its origins are in the Book of Nehemiah, and for generations the community gathered on mountains in Ethiopia. Today it is celebrated in Israel, mainly in ceremonies in Jerusalem.

The Sigd holiday, one of the central festivals in the tradition of Ethiopian Jews, falls today (Monday), the 29th of Cheshvan 5787, 50 days after Yom Kippur. The holiday expresses the renewal of the covenant with God, communal introspection, and longing for Jerusalem. Its origins are linked to the story in the Book of Nehemiah, and for generations members of the community gathered on mountain peaks in Ethiopia, fasting and praying for the return to Zion. Today the festival is celebrated in Israel, mainly in ceremonies on the Haas Promenade in Jerusalem. In 2008, the Knesset passed the Sigd Law, granting the festival official recognition. This year, the Ministry of Education announced that schools will mark the holiday with activities on the heritage of Ethiopian Jews.