Purim is one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination.
The Book of Esther
The story of Purim is told in the Book of Esther. The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity.
Haman
The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. In a speech that is all too familiar to Jews, Haman told the king, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people’s, and they do not observe the king’s laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them.” Esther 3:8. The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do as he pleased to them. Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews.
Mordecai and Esther
Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king’s presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king. He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman’s plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman and his ten sons were hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.
The Megillah
The book of Esther is unusual in that it is the only book of the Bible that does not contain the name of G-d. In fact, it includes virtually no reference to G-d. Mordecai makes a vague reference to the fact that the Jews will be saved by someone else, if not by Esther, but that is the closest the book comes to mentioning G-d. Thus, one important message that can be gained from the story is that G-d often works in ways that are not apparent, in ways that appear to be chance, coincidence or ordinary good luck.
Megillah Book of Esther Scroll
A complete list of Purim recipes can be found here.
Moroccan Fish in Tomato Sauce, known as Chraime, is a flavorful and aromatic dish that brings together the rich spices and vibrant flavors of North African cuisine. This recipe combines tender fish fillets with a savory tomato-based sauce infused with a blend of spices such as cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. The dish is complemented by the addition of garlic, onions, and a touch of tanginess from lemon juice. Traditionally served with crusty bread or couscous, this dish offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Morocco.
Moroccan chicken in parsley and turmeric is a family tradition for breaking the Purim fast. It is simple dish that can be simmered in a pot or tagine.The garlic, turmeric and parsley infuse the chicken and create a distinct aromatic scent. Like all Moroccan food, it is the blend of spices, and the slow cooking process that makes this a most delightful and flavorful dish.
Served during Purim, Yom Kippur, weddings and other occasions and holidays, this Moroccan pastry is a favorite. "Fejouela" also called "Pajouela" may likely be a mispronunciation of the word Fadoello. The participation of the little girls of the family was always welcome at the confection of this delicate and time-consuming pastry. Our task was to roll the dough until it was almost paper-thin then spread it on sheets to dry. Afterwards using serrated bronze rollers we cut ribbons of dough that we carefully handed over to the "person-in-charge" of the frying pan. We watched in awe as her hand cleverly scrolled the strips of dough into roses that we eagerly dipped into the syrup, then gently piled on a serving tray into a pyramid. - Deanna Amar Pool
The ghoriba (Arabic: غريبة, also spelled ghribia, ghraïba, or ghriyyaba) is a type of cookie prepared in the Maghreb and other parts of the Arab world. It is a round, shortbread cookie made with flour, sugar, oil, and usually almonds. It is often served with Arabic coffee or Maghrebi mint tea.
Moroccan Purim Bread Recipe - Boyosa (Boyoja, Ojos de Haman)
Boyosa "Haman's Eye" Bread Recipe: A traditional Moroccan bread known as boyoja ungola di Purim or ojos de Haman. This is a round, flattish loaf decorated with two hard boiled eggs in their shells, which are meant to represent Haman’s eyes. Each egg is held down with two thin strips of dough arranged in an x, and, once the bread is baked, it’s a traditional to rip them out of the loaf—you know, like ripping Haman’s eyes out. The dough for this bread is traditionally studded with anise and sesame seeds, as well as coarsely chopped almonds
