Jewish trivia: Moroccan Purim customs

By Mark D. Zimmerman

Mark D. Zimmerman
Mark D. Zimmerman

MELVILLE, New York — Ashkenzaic Jews remember Haman’s evil by making noise with a greggar whenever Haman’s name is said at the Megillah reading. How do Moroccan Jews note Haman’s wickedness?

  1. A. They make a three cornered pastry similar to a hamantashen, but it is filled with red strawberries, representing the blood of Haman.
  2. B. Whenever Haman’s name is read in the Megillah, Moroccan Jews ululate, emitting the high-pitched sound that is common in Arabic cultures as a sign of great emotional intensity.
  3. C. They bake a bread which includes two hard boiled eggs, representing Haman’s eyes, which they proceed to pluck out.
  4. D. They tie closed the top and bottom of a kaftan after filling it with Hamanis, which are traditional triangular Moroccan Purim candies. They hang the kaftan from a pole, and children strike it with small bats, releasing the candies for everyone to enjoy (similar to a Mexican piñata).
  5. E. They dress up as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour and sing We’re Off on the Road to Morocco.

Here’s the link to the answer:

 

http://rrrjewishtrivia.com/answers/happy-purim-answer.html

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Mark D. Zimmerman is the author of Rashi, Rambam and Ramalamadingdong series of Jewish trivia e-books. Learn more at rrrjewishtrivia.com.

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