The holiday of Sigd is an ancient celebration of Torah and of God’s covenant with the Jewish people. Having yearned for Jerusalem and the Land of Israel for generations upon generations, Sigd has always signified for Jews in Ethiopia (known as the Beta Israel community) the hope that they would one day return to their land, to their people, to their home. While over 90,000 Ethiopian Jews have immigrated since the state’s establishment in 1948, the Beta Israel community continues to celebrate Sigd as a symbol of yearning for the rebuilding of the third and ultimate Holy Temple. It has been recognized as a national holiday since 2008, and the broader Jewish community is warmly encouraged to partake in the annual celebrations.
This Jerusalem Post article provides a photo and video « snapshot » of what modern-day Sigd festivities look like in Jerusalem today.
Photo by Sander Crombach on Unsplash