Editing Jewish holidays (section)

==Israeli/Jewish national holidays and days of remembrance==
{{main article|Public holidays in Israel}}

As a general rule, the biblical Jewish holidays (Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot and Purim) are observed as public holidays in Israel. Chanukah is a school holiday, but businesses remain open. On Tisha B'Av, restaurants and places of entertainment are closed.  Other Jewish holidays listed above are observed in varying ways and to varying degrees.

Between the creation of the [[State of Israel]] in 1948 and the aftermath of the [[Six-Day War]], the [[Knesset]], generally in consultation with the [[Chief Rabbinate of Israel]], established four national holidays or days of remembrance:

* ''Yom HaShoah:'' Holocaust Remembrance Day
* ''Yom Hazikaron:'' Memorial Day
* ''Yom Ha'atzmaut:'' Israel Independence Day
* ''Yom Yerushalayim:'' Jerusalem Day

The status of these days as ''religious'' events is not uniform within the Jewish world.  Non-Orthodox, [[Religious Zionist]] and [[Modern Orthodox]] [[Jewish religious movements]]{{refn|group=Note|''Inter alia'': 
*Non-orthodox: [[Union for Traditional Judaism]], [[Conservative Judaism]], [[Reform Judaism]] and [[Reconstructionist Judaism]]
*Religious Zionist: [[Mizrachi (religious Zionism)|Mizrachi]]–[[Bnai Akiva]]
*Modern Orthodox: [[Orthodox Union|Union of Orthodox Congregations]], [[Rabbinical Council of America]], [[United Synagogue|United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth]]}} accept these days as ''religious'' as well as ''national'' in nature.

As a rule, these four days are not accepted as religious observances by most [[Haredi Jews]], including [[Hasidim]].  Some ''ḥaredim'' are opposed to the existence of the State of Israel altogether on religious grounds; others simply feel that there are not sufficient grounds under Jewish law to justify the establishment of new religious holidays.  For details, see [[Haredim and Zionism]].

Observance of these days in [[Jewish diaspora|Jewish communities outside Israel]] is typically more muted than their observance in Israel. Events held in government and public venues within Israel are often held in Jewish communal settings (synagogues and community centers) abroad.

More recently, the Knesset established two additional holidays:

* ''Yom HaAliyah'': Aliyah Day
* A day to commemorate the expulsion of Jews from Arab lands and Iran

Finally, the Israeli government also recognizes several [[#Ethnic holidays|ethnic Jewish observances]] with holiday status.

===Yom HaShoah—Holocaust Remembrance Day===
[[File:Yom Hashoah candle.jpg|thumb|200px|A lit Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle]]
* [[Yom HaShoah]]: (nominally) 27 [[Nisan]]

''Yom HaShoah'' (lit. "Holocaust Day") is a day of remembrance for victims of the [[Holocaust]].  Its full name is ''Yom Hazikaron LaShoah v'LiGevurah'' (lit. "Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day") ({{lang|he|יום הזכרון לשואה ולגבורה}}), and reflects a desire to recognize martyrs who died in active [[Jewish resistance under Nazi rule|resistance]] to the [[Nazi Germany|Nazis]] alongside those who died as passive victims.  Its date, 27 Nisan, was chosen because it commemorates the [[Warsaw Ghetto uprising]], the best known of the armed Jewish uprisings.<ref group=Note>The uprising began on 14 Nisan, Passover eve.  There was sufficient opposition to the selection of that date for the memorial that its observance was moved to 27 Nisan, approximately halfway between the end of Passover and Yom Ha'Atzmaut, and still within the period of the uprising. See {{cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Jennifer|title=Holocaust Remembrance Day|url=http://history1900s.about.com/cs/holocaust/a/yomhashoah.htm|website=about.com|access-date=January 22, 2013|archive-date=January 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120050356/http://history1900s.about.com/cs/holocaust/a/yomhashoah.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref group=Note>In contrast, [[International Holocaust Remembrance Day]] is observed on January 27, the day the [[Auschwitz-Birkenau]] camp was liberated in 1945.</ref>

Places of public entertainment are closed throughout Israel in recognition of the day.<ref name=tdshoah>{{cite web|title=Yom HaShoah|url=http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/jewish/yom-hashoah|website=timeanddate.com|access-date=February 27, 2013}}</ref>  Public [[Yom HaShoah#Commemoration|commemoration]] of Yom HaShoah usually includes religious elements such as the recitation of [[Psalms]], memorial prayers, and [[kaddish]], and the lighting of [[memorial candle]]s.  [[Yom HaShoah#In Israel|In Israel]], the most notable observances are the State memorial ceremony at [[Yad Vashem]] and the sirens marking off a two-minute silence at 10:00 am.  Religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox Jews generally participate in such public observances along with secular Jews and Jews who adhere to more liberal religious movements.  [[Yom HaShoah#Abroad|Outside Israel]], Jewish communities observe Yom HaShoah in addition to or instead of their countries' [[Holocaust Memorial Days]].<ref name=tdshoah/> Probably the most notable commemoration is the [[March of the Living]], held at the site of [[Auschwitz-Birkenau]], attended by Jews from all parts of the world.

Outside Orthodoxy, a liturgy for Yom HaShoah is beginning to develop.  The Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist prayer books all include [[Yom HaShoah#Liturgy for Yom HaShoah|liturgical elements for Yom HaShoah]], to be added to the regular weekday prayers. Conservative Judaism has written a scroll, called ''<!--[[Tikkun megillat hashoah|-->Megillat HaShoah<!--]]-->,'' intended to become a definitive liturgical reading for Yom HaShoah.<ref name="anchor1" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Sheldon|title=Holocaust Scroll|url=http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Yom_Hashoah/Observances/Holocaust_Scroll.shtml|newspaper=The Jewish Forward|access-date=January 22, 2013|date=May 2003|archive-date=January 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109090614/http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Yom_Hashoah/Observances/Holocaust_Scroll.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Orthodox world–even the segment that participates publicly in Yom HaShoah–has been reluctant to write a liturgy for the day, preferring to compose ''[[Kinnot]]'' (prayers of lamentation) for recitation on [[#Tisha B'av|Tisha B'Av]].<ref name="anchor1">{{cite news |last=Wagner |first=Matthew |url=http://www.jpost.com/Features/Article.aspx?id=99553 |title=An anchor for national mourning |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=April 28, 2008|access-date=January 22, 2013}}</ref><ref group=Note>Along with the ''ḥaredi'' resistance to new days of commemoration, there is a reluctance to introduce unnecessary mourning during the month of Nisan ([[#Month of Nisan|see above]]).</ref>

In order to ensure that public Yom HaShoah ceremonies in Israel do not violate Shabbat prohibitions, the date for Yom HaShoah varies<ref name="chutz" group=Note>These changes are not uniformly observed by communities outside Israel, where the ceremonies are not official in nature. And, in fact, sometimes observances outside of Israel are moved to nearby non-working days (like Sundays) to encourage participation.</ref> as follows:
*If 27 Nisan occurs on a Friday, the observance of Yom HaShoah is advanced to the previous day (Thursday, 26 Nisan).
*If 27 Nisan occurs on a Sunday, the observance of Yom HaShoah is delayed to the following day (Monday, 28 Nisan).

===Yom Hazikaron—Memorial Day===
[[File:HPIM0313.jpg|300px|thumb|A [[moment of silence]] as the siren is sounded in [[Tel Aviv]], Yom Hazikaron 2007]]
* [[Yom Hazikaron]]: (nominally) 4 [[Iyar]]

''Yom Hazikaron'' (lit. "Memorial Day") is a day of remembrance of the fallen of Israel's wars. During the first years of Israel's independence, this remembrance was observed on [[#Yom Ha'atzmaut—Israel Independence Day|Yom Ha'atzmaut (Independence Day)]] itself.  However, by 1951, the memorial observance was separated from the festive celebration of Independence Day and moved to its current date, the day before Yom Ha'atzmaut.<ref name="ken">[https://www.knesset.gov.il/holidays/eng/memorial_day_eng.htm Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers], Knesset official website. Retrieved April 25, 2012.</ref><ref group=Note>As early as 1940, 4 Iyar had been established as a memorial day for victims of Arab attacks.  See {{cite news |script-title=he:לישוב |url=http://jpress.org.il/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Skin=TAUHe&BaseHref=DAV/1940/05/06&EntityId=Ar00120&ViewMode=HTML |newspaper=[[Davar]] |location=Tel Aviv |date=May 6, 1940 |language=he |trans-title=Notice to the Yishuv}}</ref> Since 2000, the scope of the memorial has expanded to include civilians slain by acts of hostile [[terrorism]].  Its full name is now {{lang|he|יום הזכרון לחללי מערכות ישראל ולנפגעי פעולות האיבה}} ("Day of Remembrance for the Fallen of the Battles of Israel and the Victims of Terror").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.izkor.gov.il |script-title=he:נזכור את כולם |trans-title=Remember them all |language=he |publisher=Israel Ministry of Defense |access-date=February 6, 2013 |website=www.izkor.gov.il }}  See, in particular, this [http://www.izkor.gov.il/Page.aspx?pid=60 sub-page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019143633/http://www.izkor.gov.il/Page.aspx?pid=60 |date=October 19, 2013 }}.</ref>

Places of public entertainment are closed throughout Israel in recognition of the day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Yom_Hazikaron.shtml|title=Yom Hazikaron: Israel's Memorial Day|publisher=My Jewish Learning|access-date=February 27, 2013|website=www.myjewishlearning.com|archive-date=May 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512133523/http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Yom_Hazikaron.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Many schools, businesses and other institutions conduct memorial services on this day, and it is customary to visit the graves of fallen soldiers and to recite memorial prayers there.  The principal public observances are the evening opening ceremony at the [[Western Wall]] and the morning services of remembrance at military cemeteries throughout the country, each opened by the sounding of sirens.  The public observances conclude with the service at the military cemetery on [[Mount Herzl]] that serves as the transition to Yom Ha'atzmaut.

Outside Israel, Yom HaZikaron observances are often folded into Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations.  Within Israel, Yom Hazikaron is always the day before Yom Ha'atzmaut, but that date moves to prevent violation of Sabbath prohibitions during the ceremonies of either day.  See following section for details.

===Yom Ha'atzmaut—Israel Independence Day===
[[File:Peresohad1985hidon.jpg|thumb|The final round of the [[International Bible Contest]] (here in 1985) is held on Yom Ha'atzmaut]]
[[File:Jerusalem Day.jpg|thumb|[[Jerusalem Day]] celebrations]]
* [[Yom Ha'atzmaut]]: (nominally) 5 Iyar

''Yom Ha'atzmaut'' ({{lang|he|יום העצמאות}}) is Israel's [[Independence Day (Israel)|Independence Day]]. Observance of this day by Jews inside and outside Israel is widespread,<ref name=tdind>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/jewish/yom-haatzmaut|title=Yom HaAtzmaut|access-date=February 27, 2013|website=timeanddate.com}}</ref>  and varies in tone from secular (military parades and barbecues) to religious (recitation of Hallel and new liturgies).

Although Israel's independence was declared on a Friday, the Chief Rabbinate has long been mindful of the possibility of Yom Ha'atzmaut (and Yom Hazikaron) observances leading to violation of Sabbath prohibitions.  To prevent such violations, the dates of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut vary<ref name="chutz" group=Note /> as follows:
*If 4–5 Iyar occur on a Sunday-Monday, the observances are delayed to Monday-Tuesday, 5–6 Iyar.
*If 4–5 Iyar occur on a Tuesday-Wednesday, the observances are not moved.
*If 4–5 Iyar occur on a Thursday-Friday, the observances are advanced to Wednesday-Thursday, 3–4 Iyar.
*If 4–5 Iyar occur on a Friday-Shabbat, the observances are advanced to Wednesday-Thursday, 2–3 Iyar.

Nearly all non-''ḥaredi'' Jewish religious communities have incorporated changes or enhancements to the liturgy in honor of Yom Ha'atzmaut and suspend the mourning practices of [[#Sefirah—Counting of the Omer|the period of Sefirat Ha'Omer]].  (See [[Yom Ha'atzmaut#Religious customs|Yom Ha'atzmaut—Religious Customs]] for details.)  Within the Religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox communities, these changes are not without controversy, and customs continue to evolve.<ref name=Haber>{{cite web|title=Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim in Halacha and Hashkafa |url=http://www.mevaseret.org/mmy/Shiurim/Rabbi%20Haber/Yom%20HaAtzmaut%20in%20Halacha%20and%20Hashkafa.htm |publisher=Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Zion |website=www.mevaseret.org|access-date=February 27, 2013 |last=Haber |first=Alan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725124922/http://www.mevaseret.org/mmy/Shiurim/Rabbi%20Haber/Yom%20HaAtzmaut%20in%20Halacha%20and%20Hashkafa.htm |archive-date=July 25, 2012 }}</ref>

''Ḥaredi'' religious observance of Yom Ha'atzmaut varies widely.  A few ''ḥaredim'' (especially [[Sefardic Ḥaredim]]) celebrate the day in a reasonably similar way to the way non-''ḥaredim'' do.<ref>See [[Haredim and Zionism#ZH|Haredim and Zionism (Groups that support Zionism)]].</ref>  Most ''ḥaredim'' simply treat the day indifferently; ''i.e.,'' as a regular day.<ref name=Haber />  And finally others (notably [[Satmar Hasidism|Satmar Ḥasidim]] and [[Neturei Karta]]) mourn on the day because of their opposition to the enterprise of the State of Israel.<ref>{{Citation |last= Guttman|first= Moishe|date= March 14, 2007|title=Zealots and Zionism |magazine=Mishpacha|postscript=.}}</ref>

===Yom Yerushalayim—Jerusalem Day===
* [[Yom Yerushalayim]]: 28 Iyar

Jerusalem Day ({{lang|he|יום ירושלים}}) marks the 1967 [[reunification of Jerusalem]] under Israeli control during the [[Six-Day War]]. This marked the first time in 19 years that the [[Temple Mount]] was accessible to Jews, and the first time since the destruction of the [[Second Temple]] 1897 years earlier that the Temple Mount was under Jewish political control.

As with Yom Ha'atzmaut, celebrations of Yom Yerushalayim range from completely secular (including hikes to Jerusalem and a large parade through downtown Jerusalem) to religious (recitation of Hallel and new liturgies). Although Haredim do not participate in the liturgical changes, they are somewhat more likely to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim than the other modern Israeli holidays because of the importance of the liberation of the [[Western Wall]] and the [[Old City of Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Yom Yerushalayim:The Celebration|url=http://www.mazornet.com/holidays/YomYerushalayim/celebrate.htm|publisher=MazorGuide|website=www.mazornet.com|access-date=April 27, 2013}}</ref>

Outside Israel, observance of Yom Yerushalayim is widespread, especially in Orthodox circles. It has not gained as widespread acceptance as Yom Ha'atzmaut, especially among more politically liberal Jews, because of the continuing conflicts over the future of the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day|url=http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Yom_Yerushalayim.shtml|website=MyJewishLearning.com|access-date=April 27, 2013|archive-date=August 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812050748/http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Yom_Yerushalayim.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Yom Yerushalayim has not traditionally moved to avoid Shabbat desecration, although in 2012 the Chief Rabbinate began some efforts in that direction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yom Yerushalayim and Lag Ba'omer Events Postponed a Day Due to Chillul Shabbos|url=http://matzav.com/yom-yerushalayim-and-lag-baomer-events-postponed-a-day-due-to-chillul-shabbos|website=Matzav.com|access-date=April 27, 2013}}</ref>

===Yom HaAliyah—Aliyah Day===
* [[Yom HaAliyah]]: 10 Nisan

[[File:Benjamin West - Joshua passing the River Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|right|''Joshua passing the River Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant'' by [[Benjamin West]]]]
Aliyah Day ({{lang|he|יום העלייה}}) is an Israeli national holiday celebrated annually on the tenth of Nisan.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4817589,00.html/ YNET: Grassroots initiated holiday becomes law]</ref> The day was established to acknowledge [[Aliyah]], immigration to the Jewish state, as a core value of the State of Israel, and honor the ongoing contributions of Olim (immigrants) to Israeli society.<ref>[http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/178843 Knesset Proposes Aliyah Holiday Bill]</ref>

Immigration to Israel is a recognized religious value of Judaism, sometimes referred to as the [[Gathering of Israel]].<ref>See {{slink|Aliyah|Religious, ideological and cultural concept}} for more details.</ref> The date chosen for Yom HaAliyah, 10 Nisan, has religious significance: it is the day on which Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan River at [[Gilgal]] into the Promised Land. It was thus the first documented "mass Aliyah".<ref>{{bibleref|Joshua|4:19}}</ref> The alternative date observed in the school system, 7 [[Heshvan]], falls during the week of the Torah portion in which God instructs [[Abraham]] to leave his home and his family and go up to the Land of Israel.<ref>{{bibleref|Genesis|12:1}}</ref>

At the present time, observance of this day appears to be secular in nature.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}<!--Doesn't have a source; it's a conclusion based on a lack of evidence for any religious observance so far. But I'd welcome a source, either way, if someone has one.-->

===Day to commemorate the expulsion of Jews from Arab lands and Iran===
* [[Day to Mark the Departure and Expulsion of Jews from the Arab Countries and Iran]]: 30 November (on the Gregorian calendar)

The Knesset established this observance in 2014. The purpose of this observance is to recognize the collective trauma of [[Mizrahi Jews]] during the period around the establishment of the State of Israel. Many Mizrachi Jews felt that their own suffering was being ignored, both in comparison to the suffering of [[European Jewry]] during the [[Holocaust]] and in comparison to the Palestinian [[Nakba]]. The Gregorian-calendar date chosen is the day after the [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine]] was adopted, as that date marked the beginning of concentrated pressure and hostility against the community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/.premium-1.629226 |title=Israel marks first-ever national day remembering Jewish exodus from Muslim lands |first=Ofer |last=Aderet |date=November 30, 2014 |work=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref>

At the present time, observance of this day appears to be secular in nature.<!--Doesn't have a source; it's a conclusion based on a lack of evidence for any religious observance so far.-->

===National Remembrance Day for October 7 attack and Gaza war===
* 24 Tishrei (25 Tishrei if 24 Tishrei coincides with Shabbat).

The Israeli government established this national remembrance day in March 2024. It is designed to be a national remembrance day for those who died in the [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel]] and the [[Gaza war]] as a whole.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/spoke-memorial170324 |title=Government Unanimously Approves National Remembrance Day for October 7 Disaster and the Swords of Iron War |date=March 17, 2024 |work=[[Israeli Prime Minister's Office]] |access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref>

===Ethnic holidays===
{{Main|Mimouna|Seharane|Sigd}}
The Israeli government officially recognizes three traditional holidays of ethnic Jewish communities in Israel. These days are also observed by their respective communities outside Israel.
* ''Mimouna'' began as a holiday among [[Moroccan Jews]], while similar celebrations also exist among [[Turkish Jews]] and [[Persian Jews]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sephardic Passover Customs and Traditions For Pesach|url=https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/passover/sephardicpassovercustoms.html|publisher=Elimelech David Ha-Levi Web|website=[[Angelfire]]|access-date=July 22, 2013}}</ref> These festivals are observed on the [[isru chag|day after Passover]], when the eating of ordinary food ("chametz") resumes. In Israel, the observance of Mimouna has spread widely in recent years; it has been estimated that up to two million Jews who live in Israel now participate in Mimouna celebrations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Une fête peu connue en Europe, La Mimouna|url=http://www.harissa.com/news/article/une-f%C3%AAte-peu-connue-en-europe-la-mimouna|website=Harissa.com|access-date=July 22, 2013|language=fr|date=March 25, 2013}}</ref>
: On the evening concluding Passover,<ref group=Note>When this is Friday night in Israel, the celebration is deferred until after Shabbat.</ref> the celebration centers on visiting the homes of friends and neighbors, Jewish and non-Jewish. A variety of traditional foods are served, and symbols which represent good luck and prosperity are prominently displayed. The next day, barbecues and picnics are among the most widespread activities of the celebration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jafi.org.il/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Jewish+Time/Festivals+and+Memorial+Days/Mimouna/Mimounah+Customs.htm|title=Mimouna Customs|publisher=[[Jewish Agency for Israel]]|website=www.jafi.org.il|year=2011|access-date=22 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528021137/http://www.jafi.org.il/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Jewish+Time/Festivals+and+Memorial+Days/Mimouna/Mimounah+Customs.htm|archive-date=May 28, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* The ''Seharane'' was celebrated by [[Kurdish Jews]] as a multi-day nature festival starting the day after Passover. Communities would leave their villages and camp out for several days, celebrating with eating and drinking, nature walks, singing and dancing. 
: Its observance was interrupted after the [[Jewish exodus from Arab and Muslim countries|relocation of this community to Israel in the 1950s]]. In recent years it has been revived. But because of the already-widespread celebration of Mimouna in Israel, the celebration of the Seharane was moved to ''[[Chol HaMoed]]'' [[Sukkot]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Seharane|url=http://www.jafi.org.il/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Jewish+Time/Festivals+and+Memorial+Days/The+Seharane.htm|publisher=The Jewish Agency for Israel|website=jafi.org.il|access-date=July 22, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017205645/http://www.jafi.org.il/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Jewish+Time/Festivals+and+Memorial+Days/The+Seharane.htm|archive-date=October 17, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 
* The ''Sigd'' began among the [[Beta Israel]] ([[Ethiopia]]n) community as a variation of the observance of Yom Kippur. Currently [[Ethiopian Jews in Israel|that community]] now observes it in addition to Yom Kippur; its date is 29 [[Heshvan]], 49 days after Yom Kippur. It shares some features of Yom Kippur, Shavuot, and other holidays.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ethiopian Sigd|url=http://www.jafi.org.il/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Jewish+Time/Festivals+and+Memorial+Days/sigd.htm|publisher=The Jewish Agency for Israel|access-date=July 22, 2013|url-status=dead|website=www.jafi.org.il|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017211045/http://www.jafi.org.il/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Jewish+Time/Festivals+and+Memorial+Days/sigd.htm|archive-date=October 17, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
: The Sigd is modeled on a ceremony of fasting, study and prayer described in Nehemiah 8, when the Jews rededicated themselves to religious observance on return to Israel after the [[Babylonian exile]].<ref>''Hebrew Bible'' {{bibleref|Nehemiah|8|HE}}</ref> In Ethiopia, the community would gather on a mountaintop and pray for a return to Jerusalem. The modern Sigd is centered on a promenade overlooking the [[Old City of Jerusalem]]. The day's observance ends with a celebratory [[break fast]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Afsai|first=Shai|title=The Sigd Festival comes home to Jerusalem|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/The-Sigd-Festival-comes-home-to-Jerusalem|access-date=July 22, 2013|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=December 12, 2012}}</ref>