Passover
A Bit about Mimouna
- Mimouna takes place at the end of Passover.
- It is a holiday that comes to us from Morocco/North Africa
- The tradition is to open your house after Passover with sweets and foods made with Chametz to signify that Passover is done.
- Mimouna also alludes to the blessings of wealth, good fortune, and praying for plentiful crops, as you invite people over.
- Some have the tradition of Mimouna in their home, others go to parks and nature preserves for picnics, BBQ’s, and outdoor festivities. Singing and dancing can also be a part of Mimouna celebrations.
- In 1966 Shaul Ben Simcha organized the first Mimouna celebration in Israel. (see Ha’aretz article)
- On your table it is customary to adorn it with flowers, wheat (even live fish!). The colors associated with Mimouna are red and gold.
- The most popular food associated with Mimouna is Mufleta. A sweet, crepe like delicacy. Other foods include couscous, honey, sweets, and donuts.
- On the Shabbat after Passover some braid their challah in the shape of a key, called a Shlissel Challah – suggesting that this is the key to your livelihood. (see attached article)
- Another association of Mimouna is that it takes place on the Yahrzeit of Maimon ben Joseph (the father of Maimonides). Mimouna was then a celebration of Maimon.
- As it is associated with Maimonides, some say that Mimouna relates to the Hebrew word “Emunah” which means faith. As Passover concludes Mimouna is a chance to reaffirm our faith. Some then read the 13 attributes of faith, and/or the Ani Ma’amin prayer.
- Others suggest that Mimouna is a perfect time to say the blessing for seeing a flowering tree which you are supposed to recite at least once a year. Saying it in the month of Nisan (the month in which Passover falls) is therefore appropriate as it is Chag Ha-Aviv, the Spring Festival. (see attached Berachot 43b
How to make Tissue Paper Flowers:
https://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/tissue-paper-flowers/
How to make Mufleta:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019237-moroccan-moufleta
For Additional Reading:
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/blessing-on-a-fruit-tree/
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/maimouna-a-post-passover-celebration/
https://www.kosher.com/article/a-modern-tradition-shlissel-challah-668
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/by6qq11efn
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-04-11/ty-article/.premium/a-brief-history-of-the-postpassover-mimouna-holiday/00000180-6562-d5ca-a986-7f6f9a8d000
