Deeper Roots:
Discovering Our Amazing God

Lesson 1,  Days 3 - 4
7th Grade level

Options for learning more about Esther:

This is one of the few movies I've bought in the last five years. We love this! (ages 13+)

I enjoyed reading this book to my daughters!

Click on this cover to read my review of this Z-Guide!

This is definitely for the younger ages, and it isn't very true to the biblical record, so I don't prefer this version.

Purim

     Purim is a Hebrew word that means "lots". 

     Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction resulting from a plot by Haman.

     Purim is an annual celebration that takes place on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar in the Hebrew calendar, the day after the victory of the Jews over their enemies.  Purim begins at sundown.

     The celebration of Purim usually includes a public recitation or dramatization of the Scroll of Esther, additional prayers after meals, giving mutual gifts of food and drink, giving charity to the poor, and a celebration meal.  Other options include drinking wine, wearing masks and costumes, and having a public celebration.

Hamantaschen (Haman's Ears)

     Hamantaschen (Haman's Ears) is a three-cornered Jewish pastry.

     The three-cornered shape is made by folding in the sides of a circular piece of dough, with a filling placed in the center. It is traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim.

     Hamantashen are made with many different fillings, including poppy seed (the oldest and most traditional variety), prune, nut, date, apricot, apple, fruit preserves, cherry, chocolate, dulce de leche, halva, or even caramel or cheese.  The dough ranges from hard pastry to soft doughy casings. The name "hamantash" refers to Haman, the villain of Purim. The pastries are supposed to symbolize the defeated enemy of the Jewish people, and thus resemble the "ears of Haman". 

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1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
4 cups flour
jam (or other fillings) or chocolate chips

1. Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla together. Add flour and mix well.
2. Form into 3" logs, wrap, and freeze.
3. Before making, remove from freezer and let thaw slightly. Slice in 1/4" slices.
4. Put some filling in the center of each slice.
5. Fold each circle into a triangular shape, pinching the edges closed. The dough needs to have defrosted completely in order to fold it.
6. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper.
   
7. Bake at 350°F until golden brown, about 20 minutes.