The Jewish community in Morocco and abroad gathered in Taroudant to celebrate Hiloula in the memory of David Ben Baroukh.

Rabat – Like every year, hundreds of Jewish people from all over Morocco and the globe met Sunday, December 9, at the Rabbi David Ben Baroukh mausoleum in the Tinzert region in Taroudant, 80 kilometers east of Agadir, southern Morocco.

Hiloula is a religious event celebrated by the Moroccan Jewish community. The main purpose of Hiloula is to pray for a good life and the resolution of problems. The Jewish community lights candles, touches the memorial stone, and prays at the tomb of the saint.

Pilgrims raise money for the caretakers of the saint’s tomb by auctioning off large candles and other memorabilia to the highest bidder.

During a ceremony attended by the Souss-Massa region governor, Ahmed Hajji; the governor of Taroudant province, Lahoucine Amzal; and other civil and military officials; the Jewish community seized the opportunity to publicly proclaim and reiterate their strong attachment to their Moroccan origins and their loyalty to the Alaouite dynasty.

Hundreds of Jewish people from around the world, including those of France, England, the US, Tunisia, Iraq, and Venezuela flock every year to Taroudant for the events of Hiloula.