Question: Why do Jews eat kreplach on Purim?
Answer: Kreplach, a noodle dumpling filled with meat or potatoes, is traditionally served on the Jewish festival of Purim. Why do Jews eat kreplach on Purim?
Some say that kreplach, stuffed cabbage and other foods with fillings are eaten on Purim because the hidden filling is reminiscent of the surprises and secret meanings wrapped up inside the Purim story.
Another explanation for the Purim kreplach eating tradition centers on the chopped meat in the kreplach. Jews in Eastern Europe began to eat food that had been chopped or beaten on Purim to be consistent with the Purim tradition to make noise, stomp feet, clap hands whenever Haman's name is mentioned during the reading of the Book of Esther.
A final explanation for why Jews eat kreplach on Purim comes from Alfred J. Kolatch's The Jewish Book of Why. Kolatch writes that the kreplach's triangular shape symbolizes the three Jewish patriarch (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). And it was from her antecedents that Esther derived the strength she needed to save the Jews from annihilation in Persia.
Regardless of the reason or occasion, my family is always happy when I serve kreplach. I suggest buying frozen kreplach, and cooking it according to package directions (boil like pasta). Then saute onions in canola oil, and mix the fried onions together with the kreplach. Lastly, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Kreplach is a festive, pareve side dish, that goes especially well with meat, for any Sabbath or holiday meal.
Some say that kreplach, stuffed cabbage and other foods with fillings are eaten on Purim because the hidden filling is reminiscent of the surprises and secret meanings wrapped up inside the Purim story.
Another explanation for the Purim kreplach eating tradition centers on the chopped meat in the kreplach. Jews in Eastern Europe began to eat food that had been chopped or beaten on Purim to be consistent with the Purim tradition to make noise, stomp feet, clap hands whenever Haman's name is mentioned during the reading of the Book of Esther.
A final explanation for why Jews eat kreplach on Purim comes from Alfred J. Kolatch's The Jewish Book of Why. Kolatch writes that the kreplach's triangular shape symbolizes the three Jewish patriarch (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). And it was from her antecedents that Esther derived the strength she needed to save the Jews from annihilation in Persia.
Regardless of the reason or occasion, my family is always happy when I serve kreplach. I suggest buying frozen kreplach, and cooking it according to package directions (boil like pasta). Then saute onions in canola oil, and mix the fried onions together with the kreplach. Lastly, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Kreplach is a festive, pareve side dish, that goes especially well with meat, for any Sabbath or holiday meal.