Bsisa 101: On Rosh Hodesh, the first day of Nisan , the Jewish month during which we celebrate Passover, from and partake in a ritual called “Bsisa” or “El Bsisa.” The ritual serves as a bridge between the holidays of Purim and Passover and takes place enrely in the home. The ritual is centered around a dish called the “Bsisa” which is made in a deep bowl and is filled with wheat, barley, dried fruits, honey, oil and other sweets. The first day of the Jewish month of Nissan is tradionally understood to be the day of the dedicaon of the Mishkan. The word “Bsisa” refers to the mixture of grains, dried fruits, honey, oil ״Bsisa״ and sweets and is mixed together with a key and eaten on the first day of the Jewish month of Nissan. When We celebrate Bsisa on the first day of the Jewish month of Nissan, which is the month in which we celebrate Passover. The Rituals of Bsisa Turning of the Key: In all communies the focal point of the ritual is the turning of a key in the Bsisa mixture while a blessing in is recited (see translaon below). Blessing: In addion to the tradional formulaic blessing, it was common for the mother of the family to offer addional blessings. In some communies it was common to lock the doors of the home from sundown unl the next morning and not allow any members of the house to leave. Gathering Jewelry into the Bsisa: Women took off their gold necklaces and bracelets and placed them in the “Bsisa” to symbolize the gold that women donated to the building of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle). Some women put their wedding rings in the mixture to bless their marriage. We have included a guide to performing the Bsisa below. Important role for Women: The role of the mother of the family cannot be understated in this ritual. Some women lead the blessings given to each family member before they use the key to blend the grains and spices of the Bsisa mixture. Amidst the intense preparaons for Passover, the Bsisa would mark the high point in the work leading up to Passover.

Bsisa Blessing:

יַא ַפ ַתח בְּ ַלא ַמ ְפ ַתח

Ya Ftach Ble Miftach You, who opens without a key

יַא ַע ַטאי בְּ ַלא ַמנַא Ya Atai Ble Mna You, who gives without any donation

ֻא ְר ֻז ְקנַה וַ ְר ֻזק ִמנַּה Arzekna Varzook Mina Bless us with prosperity and we will help others prosper

וַ ְר ֻזק ְל ַע ֵבּיד לְ ֻכּ ֻל ְלנַה Varzook LeAbeid LeKoololina May we always have what we need this year

For more about Bsisa check out these website: hps:// www.myjewishlearning.com/2016/04/06/bsisa-a-tasty-womens-tradion-to- begin-the-passover-season/