Purim: The Whole Megillah

About:

Purim, celebrated on the 14th of Adar, is the wildest, most action-packed day of the Jewish year. 2400 years ago, Haman, the Persian prime-minister, persuaded King Ahasuerus to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, rallied his people, urging them to unite in prayer and repentance. Meanwhile, his cousin Esther, who due to a miraculous chain of events was Ahasuerus' queen, lobbied the king to spare her people. Ahasuerus acceded to her request, Haman was sent to the gallows, Mordechai became new prime-minister, the Jews successfully defended themselves against their enemies, and... we celebrate!*

The primary commandment related to Purim is to hear the reading of the book of Esther. The book of Esther is commonly known as the Megillah, which means scroll.

"A person is obligated to drink on Purim," says the Talmud, "until he does not know the difference between 'Cursed be Haman' and 'Blessed be Mordechai'." 

Another type of Jewish joy is the mitzvah to "Rejoice in your festivals" (Deuteronomy 16:15). Here, the mitzvah itself is to rejoice.

It is customary to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle gragers (noisemakers) whenever the name of Haman is mentioned in the service. The purpose of this custom is to "blot out the name of Haman."

Food: Hamantashen

Hamantashen, the classic Purim cookies, are eagerly awaited by everyone young and old. They are versatile and can be made from a good sweet yeast dough, flaky dough or from a traditional cookie dough. The fillings can be mixed and matched. Prune butter and poppy seed are traditional but one can use any kind of jam or preserves.

I was delighted to see Food Magazine featured Hamentashen this year. 

Hamantashen recipe 

Ingredients:

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

juice of one lemon

rind of 1 lemon, grated

1 tsp. vanilla extract

5 cups flour

2 tsps. baking powder

Fillings:

1 pound prepared poppy seed filling

or, 1 pound lekvar (apple or prune butter)

or 1 pound strawberry or apricot preserves

Preheat oven to 350

Grease cookie sheets

Beat eggs and sugar. Add remaining ingredients, and mix well. Divide into four parts.

Directions: 

1. Prepare dough of your choice. Divide into four portions  2. On a floured board roll out each portion to about 1/8-inch thick. Using a round bicuit or cookie cutter cut 3-inch circles.  

2. Place 1/2 to 2/3 teaspoon of desired filling in the center of each circle. 

3. To shape into triangle, lift up right and left sides, leaving the bottom down and bring both side to meet at the center above the filling.  

4. Bring top flap down to the center to meet the two sides. Pinch edges together. 

5. Place on grease cookie sheet 1 inch apart and bake at 350 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes. 

Note: I don't cook much, but I do look at recipes. 

Happy Purim

Purim is the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar. 

What's your favorite part about Purim? 

 * Source: chabad