Purim has many truly wonderful customs. We are commanded to be joyful, to feast and to share gifts with friends. We are also given very specific instructions about how to give gifts to those in need – that we are to do so directly to those who ask and not through charities alone. What a wonderful reminder of the importance of connecting with and caring for one another.
We read the story, cheer the heroes, boo the villain and eat delicious treats. We are commanded to be so joyful that we cannot tell the difference between good and evil. But why do we wear costumes?
Perhaps it is because Esther hid her true identity from the King masquerading as a non-Jew and dressed herself up to become his queen. There is also the notion that since there is no mention of God in the Book of Esther, that God was also masked or disguised and helped save the Jewish people from behind the scenes. The rabbis referred to this role as a hester panim – a hiding of the face. There is even a play on the words referring to the Book of Esther, not as Megillat Esther, but as Megillat Hester.
There is no mention of costumes in the Book of Esther or the Talmud, leaving us to wonder when the tradition started? There is evidence of the tradition of costumes during the Roman carnivals in 15th century Italy, then spreading throughout European countries where Jews resided. Others claim the custom originated in medieval Germany. Judah ben Eliezer ha-Levi Minz wrote a Responsa during that time that costume wearing should be considered merrymaking and not a violation of biblical law regarding cross-dressing. These views were more relaxed than those of the Jews in the Middle East, who didn’t begin wearing costumes on Purim until the 19th century.
Regardless of the origins, we know it adds to the silliness and festive nature of the holiday, so consider putting one on and joining us for Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, February 26 at 5:45 PM, as we read from the Megillah and close out our celebrations of Purim.
Sidney Backman Albert I. Berger H. Jack Feibelman Anne Garber Benjamin Gilstein Elizabeth Goldman Anna Cohen Haberman Herman Haberman Lawrence Hoffman Elma S. Hyman Donald Jaffa Farrel A. Jaffa Jean Moverman Jaffa
Sloan Myles Jaffa Alvin Kurzer Bernard Levine Maxwell Mann Joan Adler Mark Sheila G. Miller Eileen Parker Sherry Royall Lenore Rakatansky Faye Rozovsky Stanley Smith Florence Tilles
YIZKOR ELOHIM The Congregation joins in mourning the death of Marilyn Gredinger Arthur Fixler Beverly G. Satloff Sally Franklin Rabine Badanna R. Hurowitz Stephen Sofro Donald Horowitz Lynn L. Serper Dr. Henry Gewirtz
The Mamma Mia Megillah Pandemic Edition
Thursday, February 25th 7:00 PM
Watch party onfacebook or watch at your leisure, link to follow.
We are excited to be returning to our roots with monthly Shabbat morning service incorporating study, Torah, and Haftarah readings.
If you’re interested in participating with a reading in Hebrew or English contact Kit Haspel (katherinehaspel@gmail.com).
We will be using Mishkan Tefilah for Shabbat and Festivals for our siddur (prayerbook) and will share a digital link during the service. If you would like to borrow a hard copy, you are welcome to pick one up at the Temple office during our regular business hours. Please call and let us know when you will be coming, to insure everyone’s safety.
