How did these classic treats become a quintessential part of Purim? The fact that their sides are folded may hold the secret clue. The Yiddish word for ā€˜weaken’ is ā€˜tash’, with ā€˜taschen’ meaning ā€˜pouch’ in German. Similarly, ā€˜haman’ sounds close to ā€˜mohn’, the German word for poppies, as well as the name of the main Persian villain in the Book of Esther, Haman. Thus a verbal association may have long ago occurred that allowed a pastry that was literally called a ā€˜poppy pouch’ to be associated with the phrase ā€˜Haman weakens’.

This, of course, is only one theory as to how Hamantaschen became an iconic Purim treat. Legend also says that eating this three sided pastry was meant as a way to symbolically destroy the memory of Haman, as Haman wore a three-cornered hat.

To get in the spirit of Purim, Charles E. Smith Life Communities would like to share this Hamantaschen cookie recipeĀ for you to try!

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