One of Israel’s most influential Orthodox rabbis has ruled that women may read — and write — the Scroll of Esther. In a Torah class on Saturday night, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef challenged the mainstream Orthodox view that the Scroll of Esther, which both genders are obliged to listen to on the upcoming festival of Purim,…
A week ago, Media Bistro’s TVNewser blog reported that the Clinton campaign may have objected to the possible scheduling of a debate on the first night of Passover (although the blog was tentative on this point, suggested other possible motives and issued an update that the holiday’s first night was only one of the nights…
Jewschool’s Ben Dreyfus notes a striking similarity between J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece “The Lord of the Rings” and the Purim story: Haftarat Zachor (which is read twice this year here in Jerusalem) + Megillat Esther = The Lord of the Rings. One of them is totally plagiarized. After winning the war with Sauron, Isildur is…
Baklava, which means “sweet-of-a-thousand-layers,” is a traditional Purim treat throughout the Middle East as well as enjoyed throughout the year. This version consists of individual pastries. (About 24 pastries) Syrup: 2 cups sugar 1 cup water 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Filling: 4 cups (about 1…
(About 40 small pastries) Shape is the underlying theme of traditional Purim pastries, thus symbolically erasing Haman’s name or identifying with Esther and Mordechai. Winding the dough to produce ear-shaped pastries, the most widespread Purim dish, is derived from the medieval custom of cutting off a criminal’s ear before execution, a reference to Haman’s fate….
(About 16 cookies) These almond-flavored wafers are not an authentic Chinese food, but were created by an enterprising San Francisco restaurateur who was looking for a way to keep his patrons occupied while they waited for the bill. You will need to prepare fortunes on small strips of paper. To help you get started, here…
Dough: 1/2 cup butter 1 egg 1 tbsp sugar 2 1/4 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 tbsp milk 1 tsp dried rosemary, basil, or oregano Cream butter, sugar and egg. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and herbs together. Add 1/2 of dry mixture into wet ingredients and combine until smooth….
דער זשורנאַל, גרויס ווי אַ גאַנץ בוך, נעמט אויך אַרײַן טײַגע־לידער און פֿאַקטאַזיע־ווערק.
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