Mimouna or Noche de Mimouna (in Moroccan Ladino) is a festival in the Moroccan Jewish tradition. It is a joyful celebration that expresses the spirit of the community the values of joy of life, Hachnasat Orḥim (hospitality), generosity, and friendship.
One understanding of Mimouna is the similarity between the Hebrew term for faith – Emunah and Mimouna. Mimouna is an expression of the faith in the emancipation of the Jewish people – and thus in the emancipation of all people.
Mimouna is also a celebration of spring and an expression of the optimism it brings along for a successful harvest and abundance in the world. This is the reason for decorating the house with wheat stalks and greens of all kind. Nissan – the month of Pesah, was actually the first month in the biblical calendar.
Mimouna is also an expression of the tolerance that can exist between Jewish and Muslim people. Indeed, throughout Morocco local neighbors used to bring trays with mufleta and other cookies to their Jewish neighbors, helping them celebrate the recommencement of hametzLit. Leavening Any food made of grain and water which has fermented and risen and is thus prohibited to be eaten during Passover.' eating.
One humorous theory has a simple linguistic explanation. Mona means sweet roll, in Judeo-Spanish. Since we can start to eat bread at the end of PassoverPassover is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery and Exodus from Egypt. Its Hebrew name is Pesakh. Its name derives from the tenth plague, in which God "passed over" the homes of the Jewish firstborn, slaying only the Egyptian firstborn. Passover is celebrated for a week, and many diaspora Jews celebrate for eight days. The holiday begins at home at a seder meal and ritual the first (and sometimes second) night. Jews tell the story of the Exodus using a text called the haggadah, and eat specific food (matzah, maror, haroset, etc)., we name it: Mi Mona = my sweet roll of bread. Mimouna is a joyous celebration, where tables are set up with symbolic food and sweets, and people go from house to house. Homes are decorated with flowers, wheat stalks, herbs and orange tree branches with blooming flowers (flores de azahar). Each guest is encouraged to enjoy the sweets on the table, and is welcomed with the traditional greeting: Tirbeḥu Utis’adu (success and good luck). The celebration at one’s home starts with the HavdalahLit. Separation A ceremony performed on Saturday night to mark the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the week, using wine, a braided candle, and sweet-smelling spices. LeMotzei Yom TovA festival or holiday. Most of the restrictions that apply on Shabbat also apply on a yom tov, with the exception of the prohibitions against cooking and carrying. (havdalah with just wine, not with spices and candle).
Download the PDF below to view the full ceremony and blessings.
