Our small group has been studying Charles Swindoll's Esther for the past while. We decided that it would be fun to celebrate Purim.
Flashback...I have to give complete credit to Pat Sauer to this. Years ago, I was leading a junior high Bible study and we were studying Esther. One evening, Pat brought hamantashen cookies for us to enjoy and explained what this was...Back to the present!
We had set the day for March 19 which was one day before Purim. For those who do not know about the Jewish holiday. Here it is in a nutshell...(I'm not good on nutshells)
King Xerxes of Persia banished his wife, Queen Vashti because she wouldn't come to his banquet wearing her crown. He needed a wife, enter Esther, Jewish girl of exceptional beauty and her uncle, who raised her. She entered the "beauty" contest of the century and won. She became queen. Haman was Xeres right hand man who hated Jews. Plot to wipe out the Jews was squelched by Mordecai and Esther. Haman was hung on a gallows that he was building for Mordecai....You know this is the most action packed story filled with twists and turns and humor, you should read the book of Esther for yourself...it's great.
Well, we celebrated. We came with traditional Purim menu: Challah bread, black bean burgers, Vegi filo dough casserole, orange/date beef roast, honey cake, hamantashen cookies, and a couple delicious salads. We read a children's play about the event, including the booing and stomping whenever Haman spoke or his name was said. We had a good time.
Additionally, the celebration includes a food basket to the needy. We brought bags of food for the Ferndale Food pantry. Researching and then sharing the traditions with one another. We learned, shared, ate, gave, and served...and that is what it's all about.
No comments:
Post a Comment