Purim Points To Ponder
by Rabbi Yisroel Rubin
Although the hamantash has been around for years, it was considered a moot point in higher academic circles. Scientists found nothing in the hamantash but poppy, prune and other kinds of jam. Unfortunately, the hamantash's association with Purim prevented it from being studied seriously.
New research, however, has recently discovered heretofore unknown angles of the hamantash. A comparative study on Food Design showed that there was no point at all in eating many of the foods around. Eggs, falafel, latkas, matza balls, burgers and meat balls are all round. If there is no point in eating, the appetites of four point two billion people on earth would be affected.
The quest of the proper food pointed researchers in the direction of the hamantash. It surpassed all of their expectations. Not only did the hamantash have a point, it has a 200% increase of points-all at no extra cost. Three for the price of one! Among all food known to man, only the hamantash is endowed with this unique configuration.
There is more than one side to the hamantash, but let's not go off on a tangent.
Psychologists have found that life is one long series of appointments and disappointments. Disappointments in turn, are caused by going around in circles, the result of which is that people fail to see any point in life. Without a point in life, people wander aimlessly. This in turn leads some to contemplate points of no return.
The hamantash poignantly demonstrates that there is a point to life. It points us toward a definite aim and goal. It drives the point home, providing us with a sense of purpose and direction. Then there is also a very fine point, which psychologists refer to as the point of pointlessness. As the Talmud points out, "A person should rejoice on Purim to the point of not knowing the difference between Haman and Mordechai."
You might be wondering, "So, what is the point of all this nonsense? Isn't this stretching the point a little far?"
You have a very good point there. But we are not here just to score points. The primary point of this treatise is to point out the main point of hamantashen - to use them in the Purim observance of "Mishloach Manot" - sending food gifts to friends. This is such an important mitzva, that we have no alternative but to stress the point over and over again.
So without belaboring the point any further, let us give it to you point blank: Share the holiday spirit and promote Jewish unity by sending a food gift of at least two edibles, preferably including a hamantash, on the day of Purim.
