Making the Most of the Snow - Purim Edition

Here in the Washington DC metro area, we are once again set upon by horribly nasty winter weather that is causing many to be held hostage in their homes while snow falls and winds howl. It is usually a few weeks from now that I realize that Purim is upon us and I've forgotten to spend time preparing for this festive holiday, so instead of bemoaning the arrival of yet another massive winter storm, I am taking the opportunity to be thankful that it has given me the opportunity to take time and get ready.

Purim, which celebrates the events written in the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther), part of the Ketuvim, or Writings, the third section of the Torah, is a fun, merry holiday celebrating the Jews' triumph over evil Haman. There are a number of traditions associated with the holiday, including going to synagogue to hear the megillah read, using noisemakers (graggers) to drown out Haman's name during the reading, giving gifts to the poor (matanot l'evyonim), preparing costumes and masks for young and old, and giving gifts (mishloach manot) to friends and family.

With Purim just over two weeks ago, take some time now (during the snow or otherwise) to start planning your Purim celebration. Some possibilities:

Mishloach Manot
Mishloach Manot, sometimes shortened to Shlach Manot, is a custom that is found first in the Scroll of Esther, Megillat Esther. When recording the events that led to the deliverance of the Jews of Persia, Mordechai wrote that the 14th and 15th days of the Hebrew month of Adar were to be observed "... as days of feasting and merrymaking and as an occasion of sending gifts to one another and gifts to the poor (Esther 9:22). These gifts, which can take all shapes and sizes, are a fun way of extending the joy and happiness of Adar and Purim to your friends and family. Usually the gifts contain Purim delicacies, such as homemade hamentashen, nuts, wine or juice, fruit, or other food items. Some ideas for making your own Mishloach Manot:

• Get small paper gift bags (you can find them at any craft store or Target-type establishment, sometimes in bulk quantities), perhaps even in a variety of colors. Decorating the bag adds an easy embellishment - if you have children, they can decorate the bags with images from the Purim story, Jewish symbols, or anything else that they like. Stickers are another possibility.
• Another option - use large, sturdy paper plates - if you choose blank ones, they can also be illustrated with scenes from Purim. Brainstorm as a family some of the important scenes from the holiday story - the banishment of Vashti, the beauty pageant that lands Esther her regal gig, Haman plotting against the Jews, etc.
• Once you've decided upon the vehicle for your gifts, brainstorm ideas of what can be placed inside - will you make hamentashen together (and, more importantly, which fillings will you use!?), any candy, nuts, hot chocolate/tea/coffee mixes?

Matanot L'evyonim
Another Purim tradition, found in the same verse above, is to give gifts to the needy. This can be done in a variety of ways - perhaps you go through your pantry to find those canned and non-perishable items that can be donated to a food bank, or perhaps you send baskets of food to those who are sick or needy to help them enjoy the holiday. Some synagogues sell and deliver mishloach manot as a fundraiser, the proceeds of which are given to a worthwhile organization.

Hamentashen
These triangular cookies, originally called mohn taschen, a German term meaning "poppy seed pockets," are one of the quintessential treats for Purim. Triangular shaped in honor of Haman's hat, these cookies now wrap around a wide variety of fruit and sweet fillings - some favorites among children are cherry, chocolate chip, raspberry, and sometimes even a Reese's Peanut Butter cup (mini, of course, and only for those without the dreaded peanut allergy!). Some great recipes on the web are The Best Ever Cherry Hamentashen (which, of course, can be filled with ingredients other than cherry if you so desire) and Joan Nathan's famous recipe from her The Jewish Holiday Kitchen - the first cookbook my mother ever gave me.

Other Possibile Activities

• For younger children, make sock puppets for each of the characters in the Purim story. They can act out all or parts of the story using their puppets.
• Make your own graggers that you can bring with you to the Megillah reading at your local synagogue - they can be made out of anything, including a paper plate folded in half and stapled shut to contain dried beans or something similar that will rattle about when shaken. Something similar can be achieved (and using recycled materials!) with left over plastic bottles and canisters. All can be decorated with ribbon, marker, or anything else to heighten the festivity of your noisemaker.
• Make masks! These can be done in a variety of ways with a variety of media - from something simple as from a paper plate to a more sophisticated paper mache mask. Here are three from holidays.net that can be printed onto sturdy paper and colored by your artist. Here is a mask that is a little more involved from Babaganewz.

All in all, Purim is a festive, happy time of year. Enjoy!