Partying, Eating and Drinking to Excess is the Hallmark of Purim. Traditionally, the Foods that are Eaten, however, are also steeped in Symbolic Meaning.
Hardly any holiday is as symbolically linked with certain foods as is the Jewish holiday of Purim. in the Jewish calendar, Purim is celebrated 30 days before Passover – actually, another holiday where the foods that are traditionally consumed help to tell the story of the day. But, while Passover is a far more solemn event, commemorating the deliverance of the Jews from their oppression in Egypt, Purim is a joyous, even rowdy time. And food takes center stage.
The Story of Purim
The day is a remembrance of the story of Esther. Esther was a young and beautiful Jewish woman who lived in Persia with her cousin Mordecai. Mordecai raised Esther as his own daughter.
As she grew into womanhood, her renowned beauty brought her to the attention of King Ahasuerus, ruler of the Persian Empire. Ultimately, she married him and became part of his harem. Although, as the tradition goes, she was always careful to keep Kosher and sustained herself mainly on beans and seeds, she told no one that she was a Jew. It was have been quite unwise. As the story goes, the king fell madly in love with her over time and elevated her to his favorite wife – making her his queen.
Now, in the king’s court there was a evil and arrogant adviser named Haman. He hated Mordecai – a proud man who refused to bow to him or make himself subservient in any way. Haman went to the king and convinced him that his Jewish subjects held themselves above his laws and refused to obey them. (Esther 3:8). Although it was a lie, King Ahasuerus became incensed and gave Haman free rein to deal with these Jewish “troublemakers” anyway he saw fit. His decision, of course, was to simply exterminate them.
Realizing what was afoot, Mordecai then prevailed upon Esther to talk to the king, reveal her ancestry, tell him the truth about the Jews in his kingdom – and the truth behind Haman’s treachery. This was no small thing to ask of Esther, not just because she would have to admit that she was a Jew, but because even the favorite wife of the king had no right to simply go and speak with him, without being summoned.
Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself to go and then took her chances. She went to the king – who welcomed her - explained what had really happened and told him about Haman’s plot to destroy her people, simply because he felt he had not been given his due deference.
Legend has it that Haman was hanged on the same gallows that had been reserved for Mordecai and King Ahasuerus saved the Jewish people out of love for Esther. The whole concept that God can work in “mysterious ways” that are not always clear or apparent quite possibly began with the story of Esther.
So, where does the food come in?
Purim is preceded on the Jewish calendar by a fast (The Fast of Esther, actually). This commemorates the three days that Esther spent fasting, getting up the courage to speak to the king. Ah, but then, the celebration begins!
While the only religious commandment is to read the Book of Esther on Purim – with the listeners traditionally booing and hissing and making rude noises to “blot out the name of Haman” whenever his name is mentioned, tradition also commands believers to “eat, drink and be merry” over the triumph of Esther and the Jews. According to the Talmud, a person is actually expected to get royally drunk. A lot of eating to excess is also involved, as are parties, plays and pantomimes of all sorts, including parades and (in some communities) cross-dressing.
Shalach Manos
Shalach Manos – or baskets traditionally filled with miniature foods – are traditionally prepared and given to friends and family to help them celebrate the holiday. In the “old days” these were often whole meals made in miniature. Today, they are more often baskets of cakes and cookies (like Hamantasche) or even sweets like paklava. What the treats all have in common is that they are supposed to be foods that contain “little pockets or secrets,” symbolizing Haman’s deceitfulness. As you eat the foods, you “destroy” Haman’s secret deceit. Often, the filling of these foods are made from poppy and other sweetened seeds, to commemorate Esther’s keeping kosher in the harem.
What Kinds of Foods?
- Hamantaschen (literally, Haman’s pockets)
- Kreplach (a small dumpling)
- Paklava
- Sweet and Sour Cabbage
- Filled Purim or coffeecake rings
- All these are excellent – and traditional – Purim foods
