Its basis: the ancient virtue of abundant blessing and sustenance – this is how you will conduct the ceremony

Today (Monday), the eve of Rosh Chodesh Nisan, it is customary in the communities of North African origin – Libya, Tunisia and Algeria – to hold a family ceremony – a reminder of the dedication of the tabernacle which, according to tradition, was held on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. The ceremony called Basisa, or Bashisha, depending on which sect you are from, includes the brewing of a paste from a mixture of grains, almonds and dates, and according to the believers, is thus capable of abundant blessing and sustenance for the residents of the house.

The base mix – roasted and ground wheat or barley grains, plus spices, almonds and dates

The base includes a mixture containing roasted and ground grains of wheat or barley, plus spices, almonds and dates, reminiscent of the dedication of the tabernacle.

The mixture is prepared in advance, and during the ceremony, oil and water are added to it as needed. Using the key of the house, everything is mixed, and it is used as a virtue for blessing, sustenance and abundance in all areas. In some customs, basesa is prepared even on the 10th of the month of Nisan, and on the first day of Nisan it is held as a reminder of the dedication of the tabernacle, at which time the heads of the tribes offered a sacrifice, which was made of semolina with oil, “both of them fill semolina with oil for the offering.” Before eating the basesa and while mixing the mixture, the Jews used to say a blessing in the local language.

The base preparation ceremony Photo: wikimedia

The text of the blessing of Tunisian Jews

During the mixing of the base, the Jews of Tunisia greet:Eleven at six in the key. Alina shop will open. 11 in Shisht Fathat Eloud. Chon Alina is working 11 in the Nissan Six. Chon Alina Yarhman. Ya Takhrik in Labashish. An opening without a key. Chon Alina ya Fatah. Ya fatah without a fatah – Oh (you, God) who opens without a key, Ya attai blah mana – Oh (you) who gives without return, [אֻרְזֻקְנַה וַרְזֻק] (Tarzakna and Tarzak) Menah – Give us and give from us (give us from your goodness and we will give to others)”.
have added: And return to the servant of God – and give the believers – to all of us.
have added: Aqbal Dayer, an acquaintance of the Sannah – So lively, (better) than (this) year.

The wording of the blessing of the Libyan Jews

Among Libyan Jews, different versions of the base blessing are common. According to the first version they say:Ya Fatah, Ya Razak, Ya Fatah without Mfatah, Ya Attai without Menanah, Tarzkana and Tarzak Menanah“. In the second version it is said: “Ya Fatah without Meftah Ya Attai without Menach Arzakana and Razak Menah and Razak for the slave who can rest“. And in a third version they congratulate: “Ya Petah without a Petah. Tarzana and strengthen a dish. Ya Atnai in La Mana. Aqbal Dayer Zaidin and Mosh Nexin, and every Sena is a member of the Sena“.