In the month of Nissan, we were redeemed from Egypt, and according to an ancient rabbinic quote: “B’Nissan nigalnu, v’b’Nissan atidim l’higael,” in the month of Nissan, we are destined to be redeemed in the future. This quote is the source of the Mimouna feast, celebrated annually among Sephardi Jews and Hassidim at the end of the Passover Festival. This year, we celebrate Mimouna amid a global upheaval centred in Israel.
The Essence of Mimouna
Amidst the ongoing war that began on October 7, Mimouna symbolizes hope. More than just a celebration, Mimouna holds the promise of global redemption. It represents the day our prophets speak of, when ‘the lion will lie down with the lamb,’ and all nations will transform their weapons into tools to feed the hungry and those experiencing poverty. It reaffirms the enduring faith of Jews in a future world of peace and cooperation among all peoples.
This year, we celebrate Mimouna during a time of war involving not only Israel but the entire world. Since October 7, 2023, Israel and the Jewish community have been under intense global scrutiny due to the invasion and massacre of Israelis by Hamas, alongside the ongoing state of war in Israel and Gaza. There has been a significant increase in anti-Israel/Pro-Palestinian protests in cities worldwide, including McGill University in Canada, the Sorbonne in France, and Columbia, Penn, and Stanford in the US. These war-provoking protests threaten not only Jews but also innocent men, women, and children globally, jeopardizing the world’s stability. For a detailed analysis of the sources of geopolitical anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments, I recommend the work of Francisco Gil-White, a contemporary scholar and historian.
Our adversaries continue to hold over 130 innocent hostages and pose additional threats. However, the resilience of the Israeli people and Jews globally is genuinely inspiring. They persevere in the face of adversity, their unwavering commitment to peace and justice embodying the essence of Mimouna. It is a testament to the strength of the Jewish spirit and the universal Jewish pursuit of peace and harmony.
From Miracles to Human Responsibility
But while Jewish tradition prophesies a time of world peace, we consistently emphasize that Jews “do not rely on miracles.” This principle is underscored throughout our Torah:
“The Bible’s ultimate process is a movement away from visible miracles and public (heavenly) revelation toward a process of education and persuasion to get people to act properly. Increasingly, the historical outcomes are dependent on human behavior and the equilibrium of forces rather than on divine intervention. By the time we reach the Talmud, the Rabbis tell us that the age of prophecy (direct messages from Heaven) and of visible miracles is over. Such miracles are too ‘coercive.’ God wants humans to use their reason and emotions and choose to do the right thing out of free will and choice.” (Rabbi Yitz Greenberg essay: Do Not Rely on a Miracle: Parshat Beshallach 5781)
Embracing Mimouna
As I sit here among tonight’s festivities, surrounded by my loved ones, I am reminded of Rabbi Akiva’s wise words: ‘Do not do to your neighbor what you would not have done to yourself.’ These words are significant in today’s society, where the world remains divided and filled with discord. Let us all embrace the joyous atmosphere of Mimouna and reflect on its powerful message of hope and redemption.
May this celebration inspire all of us to work tirelessly towards a future where freedom and justice prevail and humanity can thrive in peace and harmony. We must remember that only our actions can bring about this positive future. It is now up to you and me!
Footnotes:
- Gil-White, Francisco, et al. “Geopolitical and Historical Insights on Jews, Israel and the Battle Against Antisemitism.” Geopolitical and Historical Insights on Jews, Israel and the Battle Against Antisemitism.
- Greenberg, Yitz. “Do Not Rely on a Miracle: Parshat Beshallach 5781.” Hadar.org, https://www.hadar.org/torah-tefillah/resources/do-not-rely-miracle.