Why do we wear costumes on purim

In his responsa No. Furthermore, he permitted men and women to wear clothing of the opposite gender, even though this violates the biblical prohibition of cross-dressing Deuteronomy Some have speculated that it commemorates when Mordechai was dressed in regal clothing and escorted by Haman Esther , a clear turning point in the plot of the story. Although some authorities issued prohibitions against the custom of dressing up in costumes, people did not heed them and the more lenient view prevailed.

Jews of the Middle East, however, did not start this custom until the 19th century. Esther also hid her assertiveness and her strength until she had no other choice.

Since Esther hid her Jewish identity, one theory says that we wear costumes to imitate the costume parties of the court that are mentioned in the story. Another theory states that traditional Jews believe that God is hidden behind all the events of the megillah.

Although there is no mention of God in the Book of Esther, we believe He had a hand in saving the people. In order to remind us of how God remained hidden throughout the Purim miracle, many Jews dress up on Purim and hide their faces. Haaretz employees take this custom quite seriously, showing up at the news desk wearing anything from silly wigs to Batman ears and cape. But why? There is no indication that anyone ever dressed up for Purim in the Mishnah, Talmud, or in the literature of the Gaonim.

Nor is the practice so much as mentioned in the writings of Rashi and Maimonides in the High Middle Ages. So where did it come from? Kalonymus had strong ties with Italian Jewry and evidently learned of the practice while living in Rome. He seems to be critical of the practice, though he does not specify why.

As for masks on Purim, we find the first record in the 15th century, by the Paduan rabbi Judah Minz, who is also critical of the practice. This year, it will begin on Wednesday evening and continue through Thursday, celebrating the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people against Haman, who wished to have them killed. Long story short, in the 4 th Century B. In need of a new wife, he held a beauty pageant and Esther, who unbeknownst to Ahasuerus was Jewish, became the new queen.

After becoming queen, Mordechai, the Jewish leader, refused to bow to Haman, who was appointed the prime minister. As a result, Ahasuerus issued a decree calling for all Jews to be killed on the 13 th of Adar, a date chosen by Haman through a lottery. While Mordechai rallied the Jewish people for prayer, repentance and fasting for Esther, she gathered up her courage and told the King about her Jewish identity.