# The Steinhardts bake Hamantaschen **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 17, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034 "2003-03-17T17:01:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/1 "2003-03-17T17:01:18Z")
Well, it was fun. Of course, give three young kids any chance to get messy and they will grab it quicker than a German Shepherd would grab a steak. Hamantaschen (for those who don’t know), are triangular shaped pastries filled with fruit-flavored jelly fillings in the middle. [Here](http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/waynes1068/lst?.dir=/Hamantashen+2003&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/) are some of the pictures of the fun had by all. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/2 "2003-03-17T17:09:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > Well, it was fun. Of course, give three young kids any chance to get messy and they will grab it quicker than a German Shepherd would grab a steak. Especially if it involves baking goodies, with the opportunity to lick the bowl now, and eat the goodies later. Happy Purim! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/3 "2003-03-17T17:13:47Z")
Somehow I already knew your kids would look happy and intelligent. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/4 "2003-03-17T17:18:29Z")
Haman pockets. cool. (like Taschengeld, right?) your kids are so cute, and i have to say i didn’t realise you were so young Zev! Happy Purim! ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/5 "2003-03-17T17:22:08Z")
We’ll be over about tea time. Thanks so much for sharing the photos of you, your lovely wife and cute chilluns but where are the recipes man? Mind you TheLadyLion can probably look at the photos and say “oh, I know how to make those.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/6 "2003-03-17T17:27:18Z")
Cute kids. And may I say, btw, congrats on the weight loss. You’re looking good. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/7 "2003-03-17T17:30:48Z")
sorry Zev, i just had a"D’Oh" moment. i mean that you always sound so wise and thoughtful, i pictured you as older. no, that’s not really any better is it. sorry. but i second captain Amazing, you look good! ---
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/8 "2003-03-17T18:10:07Z")
And a “fraylachen Purim” to you too. We did mostly cards this year, but I’ll take the girls to deliver to each of their teachers and 4 friends for each. Besides that, we deliver for Amit as well, so that will take up the whole day. Good thing I’m taking the day off! Chag samayach! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/9 "2003-03-17T18:12:03Z")
Purim is a cool occasion from a kid’s POV. Not only are there goodies to eat, but you get to a lot of noise without getting flak from the adults! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/10 "2003-03-17T18:20:14Z")
**Zev** , I have to second **irishgirl** - somehow you always sound so wise and rational and loving, you post as a much older person. I knew your kids were young, but somehow I never thought of you as being young, too. Hey - can you make those with chocolate filling? Happy Purim! StG ---
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/11 "2003-03-17T18:21:18Z")
**Zev** , do you dress up as well? My sister is a whiz with sewing costumes, so for the last few years I’ve been the Statue of Liberty, Miss Clavell (from the _Madeline_ series), Mickey Mouse, and Little Bo Peep. In fact, one of the kids was costumed as Madeline the same year I was Miss Clavell. We made quite a team. BTW, the best filling is poppy seed. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/12 "2003-03-17T18:23:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Knighted Vorpal Sword \* > \*\ ***Zev** , do you dress up as well? My sister is a whiz with sewing costumes, so for the last few years I’ve been the Statue of Liberty, Miss Clavell (from the _Madeline_ series), Mickey Mouse, and Little Bo Peep. > > In fact, one of the kids was costumed as Madeline the same year I was Miss Clavell. We made quite a team. \*\* My kids do, but not me. I’m too much of a fuddy-duddy. I’ll simply put on a funny tie before I go to _shul_. Last year I wore a tie of hippos taking a bath in a bathtub. This year it’s a bunch of yellow “happy faces” with some of them making faces, sticking out tongues, etc. > [@](#): > > \*\* > BTW, the best filling is poppy seed. \*\* Agreed. My wife makes sure to pick that one up every year. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/13 "2003-03-17T18:24:46Z")
I seem to remember a thread a while back that included much discussion over how old everyone believed **zev** to be. Great looking family! (And great looking pastry too…yum.) ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/14 "2003-03-17T18:29:27Z")
First of all, thank you everyone for your comments on my appearance. I have worked hard to take off the weight and I feel much better now because of it. As for my age (or lack thereof), well… that pretty much happened by itself. 🙂 **StGermain** : They have to be baked in an oven. I suppose you could use chocolate (I’ve never seen one done that way) but you’d have to make sure that your hamantaschen are completely closed so that the melting chocolate doesn’t end up all over your baking tray. **Padeye** : I’ll post the recipie in the next few days. And happy St. Patrick’s Day to you **irishgirl**! Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/15 "2003-03-17T18:44:00Z")
Ok, someone explain Purim to me. I know this much: It has to do with Esther, it has something to do with delivering Persian Jews from a bad king, and Hamantaschen are triangular for a reason. Other than that, I’m lost. From what you’ve written here, I’m getting the idea that it’s somewhat akin to Fat Tuesday/ Mardi Gras preceding the Lenten season? Because Passover’s next, right? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/16 "2003-03-17T19:16:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LifeOnWry \* > \*\*Ok, someone explain Purim to me. > > From what you’ve written here, I’m getting the idea that it’s somewhat akin to Fat Tuesday/ Mardi Gras preceding the Lenten season? Because Passover’s next, right? \*\* Nope. There is no real connection between Purim and Passover. In ultra-short, Haman, an advisor to King Ahashverus wanted to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom. He was stopped in this endeavour by Mordechai and Esther. Becuase this salvation came about with no overt miracles, it has become a holiday that symbolizes God’s hidden hand in the course of human events. (Hint: The root of the Hebrew word “Esther” means “hidden” or “secret.”) As such, Jewish children dress up in costumes (“hide”) on this day. Traditionally, Haman is reported to have had a triangular hat. Hence the reason for hamantaschen being triangular. The rituals of the day include: **Listening to the reading of the _Megillah_** : (the book of Esther). It must be read from a kosher _megillah_, which is hand written on parchment. The _megillah_ is read both on the night of Purim (tonight) and again by day (all Jewish holidays run from sunset to sunset). **Delivering food gifts** : On Purim we go around to friends, family and neighbors and deliver gifts of food. Often the children are dressed up in costume. It should be pointed out, however, that all Jews (not just children) are required to give such gifts. **Giving gifts to the poor** : Fairly self-explanatory. **Purim meal** : A festive meal is eaten on Purim by day. Very often at said meals music will be playing, there will be some drinking, and people will often recite “Purim Torah” (humorous discourses on Torah topics). Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/17 "2003-03-17T19:41:57Z")
Thank you, Zev! That’s probably as detailed as I need things to be - my interest is curiosity, not scholarship. I hope you have a lovely Purim! ---
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/18 "2003-03-17T20:19:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > \*\* They have to be baked in an oven. I suppose you could use chocolate (I’ve never seen one done that way) but you’d have to make sure that your hamantaschen are completely closed so that the melting chocolate doesn’t end up all over your baking tray. \*\* I believe that there were some chocolate hamentaschen for dessert after lunch last Shabbos. I didn’t have any, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@Lure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lure)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/19 "2003-03-17T22:25:57Z")
For the goys not familiar with hammentaschen,we called them bishop hats, in nonkosher bakeries.Not sure if there was a particular religious significance to them,tho,we ate them because they just taste good 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034/20 "2003-03-17T22:26:03Z")
Holy cow, got enough books in your kitchen? 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-steinhardts-bake-hamantaschen/162034.md?page=2)