Purim is a fun time when we tell the story in the book of Esther. Hamentaschen (‘Haman’s Hats’) cookies, everyone sharing in the readings, a march-around to the Purim Parade. And underscoring it all is the wonderful story of God’s providence with many lessons along the way. An easy introduction to Biblical festivals. Or is it?
Because unfortunately, much of it remains lost on me. Not about the story, but about the tradition of dressing up. So far as I can tell, it’s got nothing to do with anything. In my congregation we are very careful to follow biblical traditions only, and carefully evaluate any traditions that might have pagan roots or are otherwise extraneous, both from Christianity and from Judaism. To make sure that they have personal meaning to us, and draw us closer to God.
I look around and see everyone dressed up like biblical characters, and it’s hard to swallow. How is this anything besides taking pagan practices and trying to incorporate them into our spiritual walk? And then I see it opening up to be more than just biblical characters, but any costume at all.
I do consider myself somewhat liberal, and definitely not legalistic. I am open to a lot, and try to be careful by what measure I judge people and matters. And certainly dressing up is fun and should not be condemned solely on the basis that pagans have picked it up for their tradition of Halloween. But when it is so closely associated for most of us, and there’s no scriptural grounding for the practice, why do we degrade ourselves that way?
Or maybe I’m missing something. Does your congregation dress up for Purim? Do you? What’s your take on the matter?
I think it is in remembrance of Hadassah masquerading as a Gentile… but I’m not sure. It might have to do with the tradition of putting on a play based on the Megillah. I have no issues with Biblical costumes, but beyond that, I’m uncomfortable, unless it’s for a specific purpose (see below). Some in my congregation dress up for Purim, others do not. I dress in my special festivals tunic (from Beged Ivri) and then leave the room to quickly get into a costume for my “Purim Rabbi” comedy skit. This year, I was “the Rabbi Doctor Suessenstein” reading “Green Eggs & Lamb” (my own writing; I understand there’s another version floating around the Net). My costume was an old bathrobe, a fake tallit made from a striped towel, and a blue-and-white “Cat in the Hat” hat (along with some red dots on my cheeks and a red stripe down my nose done with a lipstick).
I don’t see anything particularly pagan about dressing in costume, in the same way I don’t see anything particularly pagan about giving gifts, just not on “Christmas.” But the costumes should be within reason or have a specific purpose.
However, I understand the discomfiture with the practice and if you are not comfortable with it, you shouldn’t engage in it, and the discussion is certainly worth having.
I agree with the blog, I’ve seen how limits are hard to place when you practice the costume thing. My girlfriend in San Diego said her Rabbi dressed up as Santa for Purim… I was totaly speachless. I’m not about to condemn anyone, however I found that disturbing. Under current circumstances I understand some feasts are dificult to celebrate but adding/changing elements in them does bother me a bit. Call me legalistic I guess… jajaja
Comment about Santa Costume at Purim
First look into PANOPTICON: “In her 2008 young adult novel The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, E. Lockhart has the protagonist talk about reading an excerpt from Michel Foucault’s book Discipline and Punish in which he “uses the idea of the panopticon as a metaphor for Western society and its emphasis on normalization and observation” (Lockhart 2008, p. 54). She goes on to bring up the panopticon again throughout the course of the book.” (google)
As a form of rebellion, several secret socities (notably SF Suicide Club later Cacophony Society and later Cacophony 2.0) formed to interrupt the presets we accept as a result of percieved Panopticon. This society is notorious for several “rule breaking” events: The Brides of March, and SantaCon or Santarchy….
Since God is omnipotent and omni in every possible construct, He is the ultimate expression of opticon (The Watcher) in its highest form. Governments, principalities, and societies, watch us – the outcome being that we obediently follow the rules so as not to be noticed – we fail express our true inner feelings and Source of our devotion.
To make a long story short, The Santa Suit at Purim could be making a huge statement on many different levels… Just some thoughts to ponder.
-V