Mimouna

On the evening after the seventh day of Pesach, which is a holy rest day, Jews of North African origin, particularly Morocco, celebrate Mimouna as part of the Pesach festivities. The origin of the celebration is unclear, but is usually associated with the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Maimon ben Abraham, the father of the great medieval Rabbi Moses Maimonides (also known as the Rambam).

On Mimouna night, people go from house to house, visiting friends and relatives, and in neighborhoods where there is a large concentration of Moroccans Jews, this house-to-house visiting lasts until the wee hours of the night. The following day is also devoted to family celebrations, visiting and hosting, and in many public places hundreds of people barbecue in the parks.

In recent years Mimouna has become a celebration in which everyone wants to participate. Our advice for you is to try and find a Moroccan family that is celebrating Mimouna, so that you too can experience this folk holiday.

HOLIDAY CUSTOMS

Sweet foods - The festive meal is composed solely of sweet foods, emphasizing the hope for a sweet life: fruit preserves, cakes, marzipan and other homemade confections. Since these foods are made during Pesach, they are all made without flour or any other ingredient that is not kosher for Pesach.

Mufleta - this is the traditional Moroccan Mimouna food. As soon as Pesach is over, and chametz is again permitted, women prepare dough made of flour and yeast, which is spread in flat circles, fried in butter and served with honey. This is the first chametz eaten after Pesach, and the flour is purchased immediately after the end of the holiday.