Hamantashen

Hamantashen is a type of cookie made for the Jewish Holiday Purim. Purim is the Holiday related to the story of Esther, and the cookies are seemingly named and symbolically based off of the character, Haman, from the story.  Some say they are shaped like his hat, which seems odd that there would be cookies symbolizing the bad guy in the story, but this was something that progressed over time, and was not the original symbolism. According to Chabad.org, a site all about different Jewish holidays, where recipes and other helpful things can be found, the cookies were originally called mohntashen, meaning poppy seed pockets. Somehow through the generations this turned into hamantashen, because it seemed to make more sense with the story. The meaning the site gives to the cookie's shape and design is that the outside of the cookie seems ordinary, while the inside holds something sweet and delightful. This is compared to the story in the way that Esther was an ordinary girl on the outside, and through different ordinary things, came an extraordinary result for many Jews. The three outside corners look ordinary, but connect and hold inside something great, which is much like the different happenings that make up Esther's story, and the meaning of the Purim holiday.  

 The cookies are made and put into Purim baskets, which are sent around for the Holiday. The baskets can also be called Mishbach Manos, meaning sending of portions. This holiday is very festive with costumes, plays, food, drink,  and all kinds of celebrations in honor of Esther's story of triumph for the Jews. Shortly after Purim, comes Passover, which is somber, and requires fasting and other disciplines. It seems similar to Mardi Gras, being a huge celebration right before the Lent season starts.  

The cookie is usually filled with fruit, or something else sweet, depending on what is the preference of the baker. Jam or preserves are the traditional thing to put in the cookie, but if you are Doctor Mehta, you prefer another type of filling, other than the fruity kind.  The cookie I got to try was given to me by her, and filled with peanut butter since the friend that made her them knew she does not like preserves. The cookie was really tasty, having a chocolate type of cookie with peanut butter in the pocket as the filling. The cookie was also vegan, since her friend is a vegan. She received this in a Purim basket, which is common for friends and family to send around. It reminds me of how people make Christmas cookies and send them around at Christmas time. As with Christmas cookies, there are different kinds and flavors depending on your personal preference. Hamantashen all have the same shape in common though the fillings and flavors vary. Purim is like most religious and non religious holidays in the way that people celebrate with food, baking treats, and sending those treats to others. 

Work Cited: Moss, Aron. "The Secret of the Hamantash." - Purim. Chabad.org. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.