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Holiday

Celebrated by the Ethiopian Jewish community, Sigd marks the 50th day after Yom Kippur and marks the renewal of the covenant between the Jewish people, God and the Torah, beginning with a fast and ending with celebration.

The festival takes place on the 29th of Cheshvan, 50 days after Yom Kippur (10th of Tishrei). According to the Ethiopian tradition, ultimate divine forgiveness requires more than individual repentance on Yom Kippur. Consequently, a period of 50 Days, similar to the time period between Pesach and Shavuot, is required for the community to come together for communal introspection and atonement. The culmination of the 50 days is the festival of Sigd.

Rabbi Dr. Sharon (Zewde) Shalom, a Rabbi of the Ethiopian community in Israel, suggested 5 underlying reasons behind the institution and perpetuation of the festival.

  1. Commemoration of Matan Torah (God’s revelation of the Torah), and strengthening the community’s commitment to its study and practice.
  2. Renewal of the covenant with God, in a similar fashion to the renewal experienced in the days of Ezra (Nehemiah 8 – 10).
  3. Encouraging the community to preserve their Jewish identity, and to remain steadfast in their observance of the Mitzvot (commandments), notwithstanding the difficulties involved, and despite their traditional isolation from other Jewish communities.
  4. A day of fasting, repentance, and supplication to God, for heavenly salvation.
  5. Promoting unity and connection among members of the community.
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