Week 5 of Esther

Today is Week Five of the Ten Weeks of Esther

Oh my…today’s Friday?! My deepest apologies for writing this post so late! Life has been so busy, almost overwhelmingly busy and stressful and there’s just so much to catch up on that it seems like I’m running in circles! Never mind that, though, and enjoy Week Five of Esther! (We’re half-way done!)

My Findings in the Book of Esther, Chapter Five:

Three days have past, the fast is over. Esther arrays herself in royal robes and walks with steps directed by the Lord towards the inner courts. There she stands, in front of the king’s hall.

Those standing around the king must have thought that this would be the end of their beautiful queen, but King Xerxes was pleased to see his wife and extended the golden scepter  with his own hand.

Esther approaches, touches the tip of the scepter, and waits for the king to speak.

He asks her what her request is, ready to give it up to half the kingdom to her. But Esther lays only a simple request at his feet, that he and Haman may attend a banquet she had prepared for them. Did Esther loose the courage to ask right up front for her peoples’ lives? Or was she just building up to that?

Nevertheless, the king summons Haman and the attend Esther’s banquet. As they drank wine, the king must have sensed that Esther wasn’t telling him everything, for he again asks her to tell him her request. He assures her that whatever it is, he will grant it to her. But all Esther asks for is that the king and Haman will come again on the morrow to another banquet she will prepare. Then she will reveal her true request.

Haman went home that day merry and in high spirits. After all, he had been honored by the beautiful queen! But every ounce of happiness drained out when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, not flinching a muscle, never showing fear. Haman was outraged but restrained himself and continued on his way home.

Calling together friends and family, Haman boasted to every living soul around him about his vast wealth, his many sons, the ways the king had honored him above all nobles and officials…and last but defiantly not least, his invitation to the queen’s banquet. But oh, he could never be truly happy while that Jew they call Mordecai is sitting at the king’s gate!

His wife Zeresh and all his friends advise him to build a gallows, about 75 feet high, and in the morning Haman is to petition the king to have Mordecai hanged.

Haman is delighted at this suggestion, and he had the gallows built.

And thus ends chapter five

My Recipe Ideas for Week Five:

Purim just cannot be Purim without Hamantashen, the special cookies we bake and eat by the dozens! Filling them with jam to marshmallow cream fluff or berries to chocolate and peanut butter, these scrumptious cookies will make your party festive!

Here’s one of the recipes we use for Hamantashen, but remember, you can substituted the filling with anything you want to use! Our favorites are raspberry jam…

Flo Braker’s Cookie-Dough Hamantashen

(from Fast & Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays, Marlene Sorosky)

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ pound (1 stick) butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/3 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Jams, jellies, or other fillings

Preheat oven to 350F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper OR grease them.

To make dough: Sift four, baking powder, and salt. In mixing bowl with electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and mix 1 minute. Mix in orange juice and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Shape into a flat disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm enough to roll out, at least 15 minutes. (Dough may be refrigerated up to 2 days)

To shape hamantashen: Divide the dough in half; it will be very sticky. Cover 1 portion with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Place other half between 2 sheets of floured wax paper. Roll from the center out toward the edges into a 13-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. If dough is difficult to roll out, place in freezer to firm up. Using 3-inch floured cookie cutter, cut out circles. (a clean, empty tuna can with both ends removed works well) Using a floured spatula, pick up circles and flip onto prepared baking sheets. Spoon 1 ½ teaspoons filling in the center of each circle. Press 3 edges together to make a triangle, leaving a small opening in the center. Place 1 ½ inches apart on sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Re-roll scraps, cut out, and fill.

To bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden on the bottom. If baking 2 sheets in one oven, rotate positions after 7 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and remove to racks. Hamantashen may be stored, airtight, for several days. They will bake crisp but will soften slightly after storing. They may also be frozen)

Makes: About 36 hamantashen

If You’ve Posted For Week Four of Esther, PLEASE COMMENT ME WITH A DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST!!! I’d love to see what you’ve found in the chapter and what Purim ideas you’ve came up with!

I have 2 talkers! Thank you people!

Friday 6 February 2009 Hey

Posted by cherryblossom

Yeah but you should get a facebook! lol! Your mommy too that way it's "safe" ya know? My mom has one!

Ohhh interesting post!. I haven't been keeping up, im sorry :(

about the hama things, you should post a pic cause I don't know what they are :D They sound scrumpcious though. I should send you a recipe I think you will like!

Love ya mucho!
Julia

• Permanent Link

Friday 6 February 2009 Untitled Comment

Posted by cherryblossom

Oh I looked up the cookies. I make something similar to that. Mine are just tea Time tarts. I make a sugar cookie crust and bake it with jam in the middle. I guess they are almost the same! But the hamantashen looks yummy ;)

Love
Julia

• Permanent Link