Radlett, London – Children and parents are "devastated" after a Jewish primary school banned dressing up in costumes for Purim.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
There will be no costume dresses at the Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, as Purim falls on Friday when the school is closed.
Headteacher Michele Bazak said, "We usually dress up on Purim, which is a half day, and have a fantastic time. But you can't manage 470 children who are dressed up for a full day and then going home on the [school] coach.
"Children also come in in quite elaborate costumes and in a full day it is difficult to get about or use the bathroom, and they become upset if costumes are torn.
"Wednesday is not Purim and the day after is Ta'anit Esther. My head of Jewish studies considers it inappropriate to dress up on that day. We do have a fantastic programme with mask-making, hamantaschen, fun quizzes, mishloach manot bags and a Purim play by Year 4. The children will have wonderful fun and will learn about Purim."
But one mother said "My children are devastated. They have been planning since last year what to wear this year. They are heartbroken. It's such a shame.
"Part of the point of sending your children to a Jewish school is that you celebrate these festivals, and part of Purim is dressing up." [thejc]
Anonymous 9:05:
Ashkenazic Rabbis permit the custom of dressing up on Purim. In fact, the Rema mentions that it is even acceptable for men to dress up as women, despite the prohibition of D’varim 22:8.
The post of 8:24 was discussing the custom of Jews from non Christian countries and how that differs from that of Jews from Christian countries.
R. Rashabi, for example, a Yemenite posek points out that Purim costumes are an Ashkenazi custom, and that non-Ashkenazim should not put their children in Purim costume.
Rabbi Mazuz, a Tunisian posek & Rosh Yeshiva, wrote that the source of the custom to dress up in costume on Purim is from the Christian Mardi Gras!
Professor D. Sperber in his multi volume work ‘Minhagei Yisroel’ discusses the Ashkenazic custom of Purim costume as having its origins in the non – Jewish ‘carnival’ that precedes the Lenten Fast in Christian countries in that season of the year.
In addition to the four Mitzvot of Purim, there is an additional Halacha that one should drink on Purim, until he cannot differentiate between the phrases, “Arur Haman” and “Baruch Mordechai” (Megilla 7b). The Gemara states in accordance with Rava that there is, in fact, a Mitzvah to drink on Purim.
The Meiri, another Rishon, has a differing opinion as to the Mitzvah of drinking. He believes that we should be Mesameach through other means, and should not get drunk on Purim because drinking is a frivolous form of Simha, and that is not how one should celebrate Purim. The story of Rabba and Rabbi Zaira appears to support this view.
A third Rishon, the Avuderaham, presents a seemingly ambiguous classification of the Mitzvah and states that in places where drinking is not common, it is permitted to get drunk on Purim as they have very low tolerance, and do not need to consume much wine in order to get drunk. In places where drinking is very common, such as the country in which the Avuderaham lived, it is not permissible for one to get drunk, as one would have to consume a disgusting amount of wine to get drunk.
Although there is a Halacha of drinking on Purim, it is often misunderstood and abused. The first aspect of this Halacha which must be understood is that there is no Mitzvah to drink liquor, as this Halacha only applies to wine as implied by Rashi and the Rambam.
Another misconception often incorporated with this Halacha is that drinking does not apply to the nighttime, but rather only during the Purim Seudah. The Mitzvah of drinking is trivial in comparison to other Mitzvot of the day such as Davening, Tefillin, Megillah, etc. and should not compromise the fulfillment of these Mitzvot. It is suggested by the Rama that if one does drink, they should drink only a little more than that which they drink for kiddush on Shabbat, and should than go to sleep, thereby fulfilling the Mitzvah and not compromise one’s safety.
Anon 8:24;
Cf. Netie Gavriel on Purim, as well as B’nei Yissocar on Adar
Purim costumes were not a custom among Jews who lived in Muslim countries.
Parties, carnivals, candy, fun and elaborate gifts of clothing, jewelry and housewares to be used for Pesah were traditionally customs for Purim time among Jews in Muslim countries.
I have often wondered when and where the custom to dress up on Purim originated and whether is it a truly Jewish custom or like Hanukkah gift giving, something borrowed from the Christians who masquerade this time of year for Carnevale and Mardi Gras?
It sounds ok for some English FOOL to take away fun from the students!!!
We thought banning month was over.