Iitiated by the Essaouira-Mogador, MogaJeunes, Salam Lekoulam and Marocains Pluriels associations, this ceremony, which took place in the presence of André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI and Founding President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, was the opportunity for members of the Moroccan Jewish community, Muslims and Christians, imbued with the common values of coexistence and diversity, to share moments of joy and celebration and to perpetuate a fraternal tradition illustrating living together, trademark of the Cité des Alizés.
In a statement to the press, André Azoulay stressed that it was “a moving and so significant moment, first of all for what this festival of lights represents for us Jews and Moroccans».
«This light that illuminates and guides our steps for the best. It is at the same time resilience and rootedness in universality“, he explained, adding that this light “has always been everyone’s. It was not that of a community, but that of all my compatriots».
It is “traditions that are dear to us all“, continued Azoulay, explaining that “it is Moroccan civilization that offers us this opportunity».
«A strong message that the Kingdom sends to the world: what we are experiencing in Morocco and Essaouira today cannot be experienced elsewhere, which reflects the true and authentic Moroccan stamp“, he concluded.
During this ceremony, embellished with beautiful songs drawn from the Judeo-Moroccan musical repertoire and performed by the talented Lalla Tamar, Bayt Dakira was presented with a “Leilouy Nichmat”, an old night light from five generations, as a sign of fraternity towards the Souiri population and of contributing to the influence of this temple of memory.
“Leilouy Nichmat” means the “Vase of the eternal flame” for the elevation of the soul: it must be filled with oil in order to place candles there for the elevation of the soul of a deceased, or another request for healing or protection, explained the president of “Marocains Pluriels”, Ahmed Ghayat.
After having highlighted the strong symbolic charge of the celebration of this festival of lights, the associative actor specified that this vase, dedicated to the Synagogue of Bayt Dakira, is a gift from Daniel Assor, member of the association Salam Lekoulam , and whose great-grandmother is a Souirie.
This meeting was also marked by the lighting of the candles of the traditional candlestick (Menorah), a key ritual that marks these festivities.
In reference to the Hanukkah miracle oil, donuts accompanied by tea were tasted during this ceremony.
Indeed, the central element of Hanukkah is the nine-branched candelabra (a Hanukkah or Menorah). Eight branches symbolize the eight days of the miracle of the vial of oil, while the ninth serves to carry the candle used for lighting.
Jewish tradition has it that for eight days a candle is lit on the hanukkiah, symbolizing the miracle of the flask of olive oil allowing a quantity of oil to be burned for eight days, yet barely sufficient for a single day.