busy (SCA-filled) day

[cellio]

This morning I learned that the Strip District (source of food, not porn) pretty much closes on Sunday. Fortunately, I had called the alleged Mecca of pickles, olives, grape leaves, and the like before going there. And fortunately, Dani -- who loves olives and therefore has a vested interest -- is willing to pick a few things up for me since he

Comments

History of Hamentaschen

[kerryp]

Hello, you don't know me, but I have you on my friends list. I have been avidly reading your posting about your Purim feast and I would have loved to attend! But, alas, I live in Florida and will be attending Purim in the Park (jointly hosted by a Chabad, a modern Orthodox synagogue, a reform temple and a conservative temple, if you can imagine that). However, in your present posting, you mentioned trying to document Hamentaschen. I read an article on the history of Hamentaschen, at this link:

http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1114

It says, among other things:

"Mohn, or poppy seed filling (a mixture of ground poppy seeds, milk, sugar or honey, and often raisins and or nuts) was also a popular addition to triangle cookies in medieval Central Europe, and the finished confections were known as Mohntashen, or poppy seed pockets. It is said that because these cookies sounded like the name "Haman," Hamantashen (or Haman's pockets) thereby became adopted in the 11th century as the first unofficial Purim treat."

I hope this helps.

Good luck with the feast! I can't wait to read how it went!!

Re: History of Hamentaschen

[kerryp]

Also, the following link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=_YJ62UUs1xgC&pg=RA3-PA106&lpg=RA3-PA106&dq=mohntaschen+medieval&source=web&ots=ofbzBnel2L&sig=EwBXvB60hnQMGT2F8J68tTlmuDM#PRA3-PA106,M1

Is to a page in a book called "Jewish Family Celebrations", which discusses Hamentaschen on page 106, stating that the poppyseed and honey mixture that fills mohntaschen was mentioned in connection with Purim in a medieval poem by Abraham Ibn Ezra, in the twelfth century.

Good luck, again!

Re: History of Hamentaschen

[cellio]

Thanks very much!

I'll certainly post about the event after it's over. Probably once or twice more before, too. :-)