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    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.