Purim

I've always loved the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. It reads like a fairy-tale, yet testifies to God's faithfulness.  If you're not familiar with the story, it celebrates the Jews victory over their enemies.  The story continues to be observed in the Jewish community to this day in the Festival of Purim.  


It's my understanding that Purim is like Halloween or Mardi Gras, a celebration that calls for children to dress up and disguise themselves.


Another fun aspect of the holiday is the jeering of the story's bad guy - Haman.  In fact, at the reading of the story of Esther in Jewish synagogues today, when Haman's name is mentioned, the crowd is directed to boo and make noise to "eradicate" Haman's evil name.  A special (usually, poppy-seed filled) pastry called hamantashen (Haman's hats or ears) with a three corned crust is a traditional Purim food.  I found these in the kosher bakery section (no small task in Dallas, Tx, where the Jewish community is quite small) of my local grocery store:  

There are also many recipes online, if you're so inclined.  Hamantashen taste somewhat like a fruit Danish or perhaps like a doughy version of the Pop Tart.  


With or without the pastry, The Book of Esther is totally worth the read.  

"And who knows but that you have come to 

your royal position for such a time as this?”

~Esther 4:14