Lieberman, who is an observant Jew, has been visiting Israel for the week-long Passover holiday.
After a Mimouna ceremony, the crowd was to enjoy the music of the Andalusia Orchestra, a Sephardic music ensemble. Also in attendance at the festivities in the capital, organized by the B'yachad movement, were Shimon Peres, Minister Meir Shetreet, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski and the Chief Rabbis of the State of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Rabbi Yonah Metzger.
Mimouna is a Jewish post-Passover celebratory tradition brought to the country by immigrants from North Africa. It begins with a festive meal, with families gathering together to enjoy singing, traditional foods and spiritual nourishment for the coming months. The Mimouna marks the hope and belief [emunah, possibly related to the word "Mimouna", according to some] that just as the Jewish People were redeemed on Passover, so too they will merit the Final Redemption "speedily in our days."
Another explanation given for this day is that because of the stringencies against eating leavened bread [chametz] on Passover, many people would not eat at each other's homes throughout the holiday. The Mimouna is a chance to renew ties between families and neighbors, showing that the Jews are united in brotherly love. It is the opinion of some scholars that the source of the name Mimouna is Maimon, father of the Rambam (Maimonides).
The Mimouna was celebrated publicly in Israel for the first time in 1966. In 1968, it was celebrated by some 5,000 people in Sanhedria Park, which was returned as part of Israel during the Six Day War in June 1967. The Mimouna's popularity as a public event has grown each year and is now celebrated nationally by hundreds of thousands of people. One of the main centers is in Sacher Park in Jerusalem.
After a Mimouna ceremony, the crowd was to enjoy the music of the Andalusia Orchestra, a Sephardic music ensemble. Also in attendance at the festivities in the capital, organized by the B'yachad movement, were Shimon Peres, Minister Meir Shetreet, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski and the Chief Rabbis of the State of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Rabbi Yonah Metzger.
Mimouna is a Jewish post-Passover celebratory tradition brought to the country by immigrants from North Africa. It begins with a festive meal, with families gathering together to enjoy singing, traditional foods and spiritual nourishment for the coming months. The Mimouna marks the hope and belief [emunah, possibly related to the word "Mimouna", according to some] that just as the Jewish People were redeemed on Passover, so too they will merit the Final Redemption "speedily in our days."
Another explanation given for this day is that because of the stringencies against eating leavened bread [chametz] on Passover, many people would not eat at each other's homes throughout the holiday. The Mimouna is a chance to renew ties between families and neighbors, showing that the Jews are united in brotherly love. It is the opinion of some scholars that the source of the name Mimouna is Maimon, father of the Rambam (Maimonides).
The Mimouna was celebrated publicly in Israel for the first time in 1966. In 1968, it was celebrated by some 5,000 people in Sanhedria Park, which was returned as part of Israel during the Six Day War in June 1967. The Mimouna's popularity as a public event has grown each year and is now celebrated nationally by hundreds of thousands of people. One of the main centers is in Sacher Park in Jerusalem.