August 29 Purim – Then and Now

Re-read Esther 9:1-32. Key Verses 18-21 and verse 31: But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth of the same month, and they rested on the fifteenth day and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing. Therefore the Jews of the rural areas, who live in the rural towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a holiday for rejoicing and feasting and sending portions of food to one another. Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, (NASB).

… to establish these days of Purim at their appointed times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and just as they had established for themselves and for their descendants with instructions for their times of fasting and their lamentations.(NASB)

The Jews in Esther’s time were rejoicing for their lives had been spared—and their enemies vanquished.  Now Purim begins with one day of fasting (Adar 13) as established by Mordecai in the Book of Esther, chapter nine. The next Purim celebration starts at sunset on Saturday, February 23^rd and ends at nightfall on February 24^th with a pre-fast the day before. On the evening of Adar 14 the Megilah, or the Book of Esther, is read, and it is repeated again on the morning of Adar 15. Three blessings—Praising the Lord our God are also read. Some families make the reading into a play or skit by having different individuals read the parts of Esther, Haman, Mordecai, etc. When Haman’s name is read the group make loud noises, with noise makers, to drown out his name—like in an old fashioned melodrama. The reading may be followed by a party or Jewish musical concert.

The ritual of sharing a monetary gift with the poor and sending gifts of food to friends was established in Esther 9:22 had continued until today. One of the gifts of food for friends includes a sugar cookie named “Haman’s Hat” (or Haman’s Ears) is a triangular shaped cookie filled traditionally with poppy seed, prune, apricot or other fruit filling. Along with cookies, friends may send cake, nuts, fruit and little bottles of wine.

Purim is a time of carnivals and parades in Israel. This is at the end of the year and soon after the New Year begins and the sober time of Passover. Purim is a time that strangely includes making fun, or mocking, Jewish tradition since it says in the Talmud that we can mock tradition can we fully accept it. That way tradition is not made into an idol and worshiped. Thus people can laugh at what they value, and at their own self-righteousness, and thus paradoxically gain a real sense of self-worth (from The Jewish Holidays by Michael Strassfeld).

 

So what do we learn from Purim? How can we apply it to our lives? Whether Jews or Christians, we need to lighten up, see God’s sense of humor, and take time for joy in our lives. Maybe we shouldn’t wait for Purim?  Isaiah 12:1-6 reminds us of joyously praising God…In that day you will say: I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. (NIV)    

Dear Jesus—we joyfully praise you.

 

Haman’s Hat or Haman’s Ears

Ingredients

1 stick butter (softened)

3/4 cups sugar
1 large egg, beaten

1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour OR 1 cup white all-purpose flour and 1 cup wheat.

FILLING - Traditional fillings are poppy seed, prune or apricot preserves. You can use any fruit butters, jam, or pie fillings.

Directions

1.      Cut butter into sugar. Blend thoroughly. Add egg and vanilla, blend thoroughly. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, blending thoroughly between each.

2.      Put the batter in the refrigerator overnight or at least a couple of hours.

3.      Roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness and then cut three inch circles with a cookie cutter or a drinking glass.

4.      Put a tablespoon of filling in the middle of each circle. Fold up the sides to make a triangle, overlapping the sides as much as possible so only a little filling shows through the middle.

5.      Bake on parchment paper lined cookie sheets at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, until golden brown.

Store in a tightly sealed container.
Number of Servings: 24 

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.