27 Feb PURIM COSTUMES

Purim is a very exciting
time, and some people
spend a lot of time
planning their costumes.
What is the source of
this custom? What are
some of the reasons
for this practice? Is it
permitted to daven in
a costume? Can a man
wear women’s clothing
and vice versa? Is there a difference for a
child? All these and other questions will be
addressed in this issue.
The Source
The custom to get dressed on Purim is not
mentioned in the Gemorah, medrash, or the
Geonim. It is not clear when this custom
started, although some state that it originated
in Italy around 500 years ago. Some say that
this idea of dressing up on Purim originated
from the non-Jews. However, this is not
accurate. Therefore, there is no issur of
“following in their ways” when dressing up
on Purim.
Reasons
There are many reasons offered for the custom
to wear costumes on Purim. The author once
heard a nice reason based on a shiur given by
Rabbi Yosef Ber Soleveitchik zt”l.
Throughout the ages, figureheads wore
garments to represent their station. Yosef
received a kesones passim from his father,
and the brothers were jealous of this. This
garment was fit for a king. The brothers took
the kesones passim in order to forestall the
dream of them bowing to him. In the end, the
kesones passim was fit for Yosef, as he became
a ruler in Mitzrayim and the brothers bowed
to him. On the other hand, Achashveirosh
wore bigdei kehunah at his party, although
he did not deserve to wear such garments. In
addition, when Achashveirosh asked Haman
how to honor someone, he replied that the
person should be dressed in royal clothing.
Haman thought he would be that man, and
that he would wear garments which he did not
deserve.
We wear costumes on Purim to poke fun at
both Achashveirosh and Haman who aspired
to clothing which was above their station.
We wear costumes that do not befit us, but
throughout the year we only wear clothing
that befits us.
Additional Reasons
The miracle of Purim was a series of hidden
miracles and hidden identities. Esther
concealed her Jewish identity. Mordechai’s
identity as the one who saved the king’s life
remained hidden from the king until the right
time. Hashem, too, is hidden, as His name
is not mentioned in the megillah. Therefore,
we hide our identity by getting dressed up on
Purim.
When Haman’s decree of genocide was
issued, many Jews dressed up as gentiles to
conceal their identity. When the decree was

reversed and the Jews were permitted to
attack their enemies, the non-Jews dressed as
Jews to save themselves. In remembrance of
this miracle we change our clothes on Purim.
Mordechai wore different kinds of clothing
(bigdei malchus) when he paraded through the
streets of Shushan. We change our clothing to
commemorate this miracle. Others say that
this is not a reason for wearing costumes;
rather it is a reason to wear Shabbos clothing
on Purim (see below).
Although the Jews bowed to Nevuchanetzer’s
idol, it was just for show. So too, Hashem
only appeared to allow for the destruction of
the Yidden. Therefore, we cover our faces on
Purim.
Some wealthy people lost their fortunes,
and needed to accept Purim donations. In
order to avoid the shame of publicizing their
financial woes, they wore masks and changed

their clothing to hide their identity. (The non-
Jews started taking advantage of this system.

Therefore, the Jews declared that if one wishes
to collect money he has to say Purim Torah.
This started the concept of Purim Torah).
The halacha is that “whoever stretches out
their hand is given” money on Purim. We
dress up (even as a non-Jew) to fulfill this and
give money to all, no matter what they look
like and who they are.
Children or Adults
The custom to get dressed up on Purim is not
limited to children. Therefore, an adult may
get dressed up on Purim.
Women Dressing up
There has been talk about the tznius aspect of
women getting dressed up on Purim. It would
seem that if the outfits are in the spirit of
tznius then it is permitted. Nonetheless, some
people feel that women should not get dressed
up at all.
Davening in a Costume
The Gemorah states that different chachamim
prepared themselves in various ways for
davening. This is based on the posuk,
“prepare to greet your G-D, Yisroel.” Many
preparations are required before one can
properly daven to Hashem. If one has a
special meeting with the President, he would
surely make sure he was properly dressed.
Certainly, one must dress properly before
davening. Furthermore, tefilla is in place of
a korbon. Just like the kohanim wore nice
clothing while doing the avodah, we too must
wear nice clothing while we daven.
Although it would seem that a Purim costume
is not an honorable way to daven, some
poskim permit it as long as one does not stoop
to levity.
Wearing Shabbos Clothes
There are many poskim who maintain that
one should wear Shabbos clothing on Purim.
Wearing Clothing of the Opposite Gender
Some men dress in women’s clothing on

Purim. Is this permitted? We will discuss
the opinions below.
Background
The Torah states, “Male articles should not
be worn by a woman and a man should
not wear a garment worn by a female.
Anyone who does this has performed an
abomination.” The prohibitions apply both
to men and women. Two reasons are offered
for this. One is to maintain the sanctity of
the Jewish people, and prevent any conduct
that may lead to immoral behavior. The
Rambam says this was the practice of some
idol worshippers, and the Torah requires us
to distance ourselves from such activities.
The Opinions
There are some poskim who relax the
prohibition on Purim. One reason is that
it is only done for amusement and no other
intention is involved. In addition, garments
of the opposite gender are considered normal
clothing on Purim. This is a special heter in
regard to Purim.
However, most poskim maintain that the issur
cannot be relaxed just because of the joy of
Purim. In addition, one who dresses up as the
opposite gender is certainly trying to attract
attention.
Some poskim permit the use of a garment if it
is so badly worn that nobody would wear it in
public. In this situation, the person obviously
has no intention of dressing up to look like a
member of the opposite gender. For example,
a man may wear a worn-out sheitel while
acting in a play since no woman would wear
such an article in public.
Children
Some poskim say that children of any age
should not dress up as the opposite gender.
Some poskim hold that it is dependent on
the age of chinuch. Others say that chinuch
for children in this inyan begins at three
years, while others hold at six years. Other
poskim maintain that even prior to this age
a parent should not dress a child in clothing
of the opposite gender, while others permit
it. However, it is proper that children should
not get dressed up like the opposite gender.
Nonetheless, children under bar or bas
mitzvah who wish to get dressed up as the
opposite gender for Purim may do so. In order
to adhere with the opinion of most poskim,
only one article of clothing of the opposite
gender should be permitted. This way, the
child’s true gender is readily apparent.
Clothes made for children less than three
years old are usually not gender specific.
Lack of Tznius
Regardless of which opinion one follows, one
may not wear clothing without proper tznius.
There is no heter to lower our standards of
tznius on Purim.
Wearing Costumes Before Purim
Some people wear their costumes before
Purim, such as attending a school party. One

may not wear clothing of the opposite gender
before Purim.
Shatnez
The opinion of some poskim is that the joy
on Purim permits clothing which contains
shatnez. However, most poskim do not
agree with this. Therefore, costumes must be
checked for shatnez prior to wearing them.
Scary Costumes
There are some poskim who say that one
should not wear costumes which scare people.
Dressing as a non-Jew
It is not advisable to dress up on Purim
as a non-Jewish person, although it is not
forbidden to do so.
Dressing up as a Rasha
It is not advisable to dress up on Purim as a
rasha, although it is not forbidden to do so.
Clown
Some people took issue with dressing up as a
clown; however, the custom is to permit this
kind of costume on Purim.
Soldier
Some poskim maintain that dressing up as a
soldier is not forbidden, but is not a good idea.
Non-Kosher Animal
Some poskim maintain that dressing up as a
non-kosher animal is not forbidden, but it is
not a good idea.
Embarrassing a Rebbi on Purim
Many Yeshivos produce skits on Purim.
Sometimes, a Rebbi or Rosh Yeshiva is
shamed, and in many cases loshon hara is
involved. In addition it is a disgrace to the
Torah, for which mechilah does not help. The
Rambam says that it is a great sin to disgrace
a talmid chacham, and one who does so has
no part in Olom Haba. Many poskim say that
this practice should be stopped, as there are
many issurim involved with this behavior.
This cannot be compared to the heter of
wearing clothing of the opposite gender.
Firstly, many poskim are strict in this regard.
In addition, even the Rama was only lenient
with an issur d’rabbanan of wearing clothing,
but shaming a Rebbi is an issur d’oraisa of
embarrassing someone and loshon hara.