Purim - The Feast of Esther

The book of Esther is commonly known as the Megillah, which means scroll. Although there are five books of Jewish scripture that are properly referred to as megillahs (Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations), this is the one people usually mean when the speak of The Megillah.

Purim is celebrated on the 14^th of Adar in the Jewish calendar.

 More than 2,500 years ago, a young Jewish girl, Hadassah, also called Esther, became Queen of the Persian Empire.  Her people were threatened with annihilation by Haman, the Prime Minister, because they would not bow to any man or god other than the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Haman cast lots or "dice" - called Purim (plural for pur) - to determine the day the Jews were to be slaughtered.  Hence the name Purim for the holiday.  Esther risked her life to go before the king in order to plead for her people.  As a result Haman who asked to destroy the Jews, was put to death for his wicked plot, and the Jewish people were spared.

Purim is a day of great mirth and merriment because we remember that God has delivered our Jewish people from many who wanted to destroy them.  Hamantaschen translated “Haman Hats”, are three-cornered pastries and are eaten because traditionally Haman wore a three cornered hat. These symbolize the fact that he tried to get rid of us, but we got rid of him.

 As the story of Esther or Purim is read, every time Haman’s name is mentioned everyone yells, whistles and stamps their feet in order to drown out Haman’s name.  Noise makers or Groggers are twirled so that Haman’s name will not be heard.  Purim plays are acted out with much fun and noise and children come dressed in costumes representing people from the story.

Satan has been behind the many attempts to wipe put the Jewish people, but God has said, "He that keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep," Psalm 121:4.  "You are the apple of my eye," Deuteronomy 32:10.  "You are my people forever," 2 Sam. 7:24. 

God has promised to bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel, Gen. 12:1-3.  Let us be among those who bless Israel.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee," Psalm 122:6.



2 Recipes for Hamantashen Cookies:

A Purim Tradition

Recipe #1:

2/3 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup sugar 
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2-3 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Dash of salt 

Cream the shortening with sugar. Add egg and continue creaming until smooth.

Add vanilla. Stir in sifted flour, baking powder, and salt until a ball of dough is formed (a food processor is excellent for this).   

Chill for 2-3 hours, or overnight.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Taking 1/4 of the dough, roll out on a lightly floured board to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut circles of dough with a drinking glass or round cookie-cutter. With your finger put water around the rim of the circle. Fill with 1 teaspoon poppy-seed or nut filling and fold into three-cornered cookies. (Press two sides together, and then fold the third side over and press the ends together.)

Bake on a greased cookie sheet 10-16 minutes, until the tops are golden.

Recipe #2:

1/2 cup margarine or butter                                                                                                       1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tablespoons orange juice
2 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
Dash of salt

Cream the butter with grated orange rind; add the sugar gradually, beating until fluffy.

Add egg and orange juice and beat well.

Add the dry ingredients sifted together, to make a soft dough, not sticky, that can be handled.  Knead 5 or 6 times on a floured board.

Roll out on lightly floured board to ¼ inch thickness.

Cut into 3-4 inch circles.

Place filling on each*

To shape true Hamantashen, pinch edges of circle together over filling, leaving about 1/3 open, forming a cornucopia.  Then fold over the flap and pinch these edges firmly together.

Arrange well apart on a greased cookie sheet.  Cover with cloth and let rise again in a warm palace to double in bulk.  Brush tops with egg yolk, thinned with a little water (to make easier to apply).  Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees F.) for 15-20 minutes. 

*Filling can be purchased at grocery store.  Various fruit fillings are used (Jam –like in consistency)  Prune, Cherry, Strawberry, Apricot, Poppy, etc.