Showing posts with label Purim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Purim. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2012
A Freilachen Purim to All
A Freilachen Purim to all of you. May today be a joyous occasion, the memory of which will always bring a smile to your lips and gladness to your hearts.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Purim of Long Ago
There is so much of joy in the celebration of Purim. It is one of the few holidays we have where laughter and smiles dominate. But what must this holiday have been like for those returning from the camps at the end of WWII? And what was it like pre-War for the Jewish residents of Europe? For a bit of that history about how Purim used to be, go to
http://www.yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Purim
http://www.yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Purim
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Strangers Among Us
Coming up soon are Purim and Pesach. These are two holidays that are associated with company. Certainly the Purim Megillah is full of examples of people holding feasts. And we are told for Pesach to proclaim "let all who are hungry come and eat." In far too many cases, however, this 'custom' of inviting is seen more in the breach than in the observance.
Most of the large communities of Klal are filled with people who are pretty much going to be alone for these holidays. Some are singles, living here now but from other places, places where their family still resides. Many will not be able to go home for Purim or Pesach. Some will be college students, some will be older singles working here. Some will be elderly people, perhaps without a spouse or any family living close by.
Some of those people might be couples, yet still alone except for each other. Some may be young couples who have recently moved to the community and have not yet developed any kind of social circle. Some may be older couples without family living nearby, or perhaps where friends have retired and moved elsewhere, leaving these couples fairly isolated socially.
And keep in mind that some of those alone may be ba'alei teshuvah or ge'rim whose families are not religious or Jewish, giving them no place to go for a holiday.
Regardless of how these people came to be alone, yom tov is an awful time to be alone. We Jews have always made much of gathering around a table to celebrate, gathering with others.
This year, plan ahead. Really open your eyes and look around your community. Is it really going to be such a hardship to set an extra plate or two at the table? Don't make assumptions that all these people surely will have someplace to be for yom tov. Ask! You're not sure who might be alone? Ask the Rav of your shul if there is someone who might want/need to be invited.
If we in Klal truly consider each other as "brothers," then let's get in the family spirit and invite those "brothers" for a seudah to share in the joy and simcha of yom tov. Now is the time to make your plans and issue the invitations.
Most of the large communities of Klal are filled with people who are pretty much going to be alone for these holidays. Some are singles, living here now but from other places, places where their family still resides. Many will not be able to go home for Purim or Pesach. Some will be college students, some will be older singles working here. Some will be elderly people, perhaps without a spouse or any family living close by.
Some of those people might be couples, yet still alone except for each other. Some may be young couples who have recently moved to the community and have not yet developed any kind of social circle. Some may be older couples without family living nearby, or perhaps where friends have retired and moved elsewhere, leaving these couples fairly isolated socially.
And keep in mind that some of those alone may be ba'alei teshuvah or ge'rim whose families are not religious or Jewish, giving them no place to go for a holiday.
Regardless of how these people came to be alone, yom tov is an awful time to be alone. We Jews have always made much of gathering around a table to celebrate, gathering with others.
This year, plan ahead. Really open your eyes and look around your community. Is it really going to be such a hardship to set an extra plate or two at the table? Don't make assumptions that all these people surely will have someplace to be for yom tov. Ask! You're not sure who might be alone? Ask the Rav of your shul if there is someone who might want/need to be invited.
If we in Klal truly consider each other as "brothers," then let's get in the family spirit and invite those "brothers" for a seudah to share in the joy and simcha of yom tov. Now is the time to make your plans and issue the invitations.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
I'm Back, I Think
The last few months have been hectic to say the least. Thankfully, our ill family members are on the road to recovery, although it's a long road and a sometimes bumpy one. Somehow we all made it through. Here I am facing the beginning of a new term again. Hopefully this new beginning will apply across the board, and I hope to find time for the things I like to do, not just the things I have to do, the blog being one of those things I hope to be more regular with.
So, let me begin. What would January be without my mentioning those dreaded "P" words--Purim and Pesach. Yup, with January ending we're well on the road to preparing for yom tov once again. And once again I'm suggesting that now would be a good time to use your computers to your benefit and get yourself organized ahead of time. No reason to wait to the very last second to make up and save a list of those to whom you are going to be giving shalach monos. If you will be making the Purim seudah, now is a great time to create your menu and shopping lists.
As for Pesach, what could be better than a January Sunday to get the whole family into the closet cleaning mode? Yup, kind of scary to see what has hidden in those deep, dark recesses in the back of the closets. Now is a great time to cull the old clothing and donate it. Now is also a great time to finally decide to throw out or donate some of those strange items we somehow keep and have no idea of when or if we will ever use them.
Yes, I'm practicing what I'm preaching. Today I tackle the linen closets. I think I've finally talked myself out of being sentimental about sheets that are older than my kids are. My treat for my anniversary is to finally replace the bed linens--there are still comforter covers and sheets that joined my family when I got married almost 40 years ago. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one with "antiques" lurking in the linen closet.
Whatever you choose to tackle today, comfort yourself with the idea that it will be one less thing to "have" to do much closer to yom tov.
So, let me begin. What would January be without my mentioning those dreaded "P" words--Purim and Pesach. Yup, with January ending we're well on the road to preparing for yom tov once again. And once again I'm suggesting that now would be a good time to use your computers to your benefit and get yourself organized ahead of time. No reason to wait to the very last second to make up and save a list of those to whom you are going to be giving shalach monos. If you will be making the Purim seudah, now is a great time to create your menu and shopping lists.
As for Pesach, what could be better than a January Sunday to get the whole family into the closet cleaning mode? Yup, kind of scary to see what has hidden in those deep, dark recesses in the back of the closets. Now is a great time to cull the old clothing and donate it. Now is also a great time to finally decide to throw out or donate some of those strange items we somehow keep and have no idea of when or if we will ever use them.
Yes, I'm practicing what I'm preaching. Today I tackle the linen closets. I think I've finally talked myself out of being sentimental about sheets that are older than my kids are. My treat for my anniversary is to finally replace the bed linens--there are still comforter covers and sheets that joined my family when I got married almost 40 years ago. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one with "antiques" lurking in the linen closet.
Whatever you choose to tackle today, comfort yourself with the idea that it will be one less thing to "have" to do much closer to yom tov.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Purim Sameach!
A Freilachen Purim to All
May this yom tov be
Everything it's supposed to be
and
Everything you want it to be
May it be a day of
Joy and happiness,
of gatherings that fully celebrate the meaning of the day.
May you make memories
That will last a lifetime
And bring a smile to your face.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
At last, it's almost Purim!
Finally, finally my favorite yom tov is close to arriving. Mention Purim to me, no matter at what time of year, and I'm going to beam from ear to ear. I get into the Purim spirit early and for me it's all fun. I love the shopping and preparing for this yom tov. I can't wait to get out the mixer and start baking for shalach monos. In fact, I can only think of one thing that I don't like about this yom tov, and some of you who have been reading here know darn well what that is--the drinking.
Some day, some day I'm not going to have to mention the alcohol abuse. Some day people will come to their senses and see that what they are doing has very little with being sameach on Purim and way more with about indulging to excess in a harmful substance. Someday the vaunted brightness of Klal may actually triumph over its immature behavior.
I told myself this year I was not going to disturb my run up to Purim by posting a rant--if you want to know how I really feel about drunkenness on Purim just scroll down the posting lists on the right side and click on Purim. I ranted enough in other years to cover this year as well.
What I do want to do is wish all of you a freilachen Purim. May the light and joy of this yom tov shine over all of us. May this be a year of making wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy your families and friends and pack away your serious thoughts until Purim is over.
Some day, some day I'm not going to have to mention the alcohol abuse. Some day people will come to their senses and see that what they are doing has very little with being sameach on Purim and way more with about indulging to excess in a harmful substance. Someday the vaunted brightness of Klal may actually triumph over its immature behavior.
I told myself this year I was not going to disturb my run up to Purim by posting a rant--if you want to know how I really feel about drunkenness on Purim just scroll down the posting lists on the right side and click on Purim. I ranted enough in other years to cover this year as well.
What I do want to do is wish all of you a freilachen Purim. May the light and joy of this yom tov shine over all of us. May this be a year of making wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy your families and friends and pack away your serious thoughts until Purim is over.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
On Those Dreaded P Words
Yup, I'm about to mention those words beginning with P that have been known to strike terror into the hearts of women all across the globe--Purim and Pesach. How is it that such a small, simple letter can have the effect that it does?
In and of itself Purim should be no more a major undertaking than any other holiday we have that lasts one day, but it takes on more significance because it is a visual signpost that the other P will arrive only a scant month later. The two holidays are a study in contrasts. For Purim our houses, and certainly our kitchens, are chock full of items containing flour[think chometz]--goodies that are looked forward to a whole year. Even those who may not stock up on cakes, cookies and other noshes and nibbles may do so for Purim. Shalach Monos arrive containing more nosh than some households will see the entire rest of the year. There is a major seudah, and because one can drive on Purim, the number of guests at the seudah may far exceed the size of any regular or holiday meals throughout the rest of the year. Look at your home after the seudah is over and neat and tidy are not the words that come to mind.
Four weeks later neat and tidy and clean are precisely what is required. No matter how little or how much you choose to do in making Pesach, you are going to be cleaning, and cleaning more than you do for other holidays during the year. Those kitchens that might be perfectly organized during the rest of the year are going to be turned upside down in trying to find a space to put Pesach dishes, pots, silverware and all the paraphernalia necessary for the yom tov. People who don't keep chometz in their homes over Pesach are going to be scrambling to make a month's worth of meals that will use up all that chometz.
Let me mention a few other P words that can help alleviate some of the tension involved in Purim and Pesach--planning, perusing, preparing, purchasing and prioritizing. Now is the perfect time to sit down and start making lists for both holidays. Now is the time to be planning out menus so shopping for those meals will be organized. Now is the time--no other holiday on the calendar--to take care of some of those cleaning chores that you know you are going to be doing and that are going to add to your stress if you leave them to the week before Pesach. Want to wash curtains in the various rooms of your home? No time like the present. Light fixtures looking a bit grungy or a closet that is crying out for reorganization? No time like the present. Two of my local supermarkets have already put out a lot of their Passover displays THIS WEEK (and you should see the sales prices on some of the items). If you have a spot where to store those non-perishables, take your shopping list and get what you can now--those items are not going to be any fresher 6 weeks from now, and many of them will have disappeared off the shelves.
How tense you are going to be going into Purim and Pesach can depend on how well you prepare yourself right now. So, grab a cup of coffee and open up your Purim/Pesach files on the computer (note: if you don't have those files, now is a good time to establish them). It's more than time to get rid of some of the stress these holidays bring on and add back a full dose of joy and simcha.
In and of itself Purim should be no more a major undertaking than any other holiday we have that lasts one day, but it takes on more significance because it is a visual signpost that the other P will arrive only a scant month later. The two holidays are a study in contrasts. For Purim our houses, and certainly our kitchens, are chock full of items containing flour[think chometz]--goodies that are looked forward to a whole year. Even those who may not stock up on cakes, cookies and other noshes and nibbles may do so for Purim. Shalach Monos arrive containing more nosh than some households will see the entire rest of the year. There is a major seudah, and because one can drive on Purim, the number of guests at the seudah may far exceed the size of any regular or holiday meals throughout the rest of the year. Look at your home after the seudah is over and neat and tidy are not the words that come to mind.
Four weeks later neat and tidy and clean are precisely what is required. No matter how little or how much you choose to do in making Pesach, you are going to be cleaning, and cleaning more than you do for other holidays during the year. Those kitchens that might be perfectly organized during the rest of the year are going to be turned upside down in trying to find a space to put Pesach dishes, pots, silverware and all the paraphernalia necessary for the yom tov. People who don't keep chometz in their homes over Pesach are going to be scrambling to make a month's worth of meals that will use up all that chometz.
Let me mention a few other P words that can help alleviate some of the tension involved in Purim and Pesach--planning, perusing, preparing, purchasing and prioritizing. Now is the perfect time to sit down and start making lists for both holidays. Now is the time to be planning out menus so shopping for those meals will be organized. Now is the time--no other holiday on the calendar--to take care of some of those cleaning chores that you know you are going to be doing and that are going to add to your stress if you leave them to the week before Pesach. Want to wash curtains in the various rooms of your home? No time like the present. Light fixtures looking a bit grungy or a closet that is crying out for reorganization? No time like the present. Two of my local supermarkets have already put out a lot of their Passover displays THIS WEEK (and you should see the sales prices on some of the items). If you have a spot where to store those non-perishables, take your shopping list and get what you can now--those items are not going to be any fresher 6 weeks from now, and many of them will have disappeared off the shelves.
How tense you are going to be going into Purim and Pesach can depend on how well you prepare yourself right now. So, grab a cup of coffee and open up your Purim/Pesach files on the computer (note: if you don't have those files, now is a good time to establish them). It's more than time to get rid of some of the stress these holidays bring on and add back a full dose of joy and simcha.
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Price Above Rubies
This year I served a drink for Purim Suedah that has to be one of the most expensive drinks, relatively, that I've ever served. I was gifted with beautiful cut crystal shnaps gleiselach when I got married and I used those to serve the drink. Truthfully, I needed the small glasses or everyone would not have gotten a taste, the amount of liquid in the bottle not being a large amount.
So, what drink did I serve? Well, I'll give you a little hint: it was imported from Norway. No, it wasn't Aqua Vit. And the bottle was tall and cylindrical in heavy glass. And my guests cracked up when I served it.
Last week, as class was letting out, one of my students asked me if I'd like a bottle of water--he had an extra. I said yes, thank you, and that's when the fun started. Voss water, imported from Norway, and selling for between $3-5 wholesale and $6 to $8 dollars retail for the bottle, containing only 12 ounces. With an OUP no less. Is it spring water? Nope, it's "artesian well water." One of the guests jokingly asked if you needed to make a shecheyanu on the drink--he's never had it before. You just never know when a bit of Purim fun is going to drop into your lap.
Oh yes, for those of you who believe that your pets should also be treated like kings, there is Voss imported Pet Water. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
Just on a practical note: bottled spring water at 16.5 ounces per bottle, 32 bottles to the case, was on sale locally last week at $3.99 for the case. You do the math. And then please explain to me the concept of imported designer water.
So, what drink did I serve? Well, I'll give you a little hint: it was imported from Norway. No, it wasn't Aqua Vit. And the bottle was tall and cylindrical in heavy glass. And my guests cracked up when I served it.
Last week, as class was letting out, one of my students asked me if I'd like a bottle of water--he had an extra. I said yes, thank you, and that's when the fun started. Voss water, imported from Norway, and selling for between $3-5 wholesale and $6 to $8 dollars retail for the bottle, containing only 12 ounces. With an OUP no less. Is it spring water? Nope, it's "artesian well water." One of the guests jokingly asked if you needed to make a shecheyanu on the drink--he's never had it before. You just never know when a bit of Purim fun is going to drop into your lap.
Oh yes, for those of you who believe that your pets should also be treated like kings, there is Voss imported Pet Water. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
Just on a practical note: bottled spring water at 16.5 ounces per bottle, 32 bottles to the case, was on sale locally last week at $3.99 for the case. You do the math. And then please explain to me the concept of imported designer water.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A Freilachen Purim
A FREILACHEN PURIM!
May the joy of this holiday fill our hearts and our lives, and may it carry over to all the rest of the year. As to sampling all the shalach monos, I have a friend who insists that any food eaten because of a mitzva will not add calories or pounds, so go ahead and enjoy the goodies of the day.
May the joy of this holiday fill our hearts and our lives, and may it carry over to all the rest of the year. As to sampling all the shalach monos, I have a friend who insists that any food eaten because of a mitzva will not add calories or pounds, so go ahead and enjoy the goodies of the day.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Naming Names
To the pantheon of things intolerable that women bring with them just by living has been added that they have names. Already last year many Jewish publications, who had already banned pictures of women, were also banning mentioning their names. This lead to some very skewed announcements of the following kind. "Mazel tov to Rabbi Meir Yungerman on the birth of his son." "Thanks to Meir Baal Tzedaka and the person he is married to for donating a new Aron Kodesh to the shul." "Mazel tov to Meir Bochur on his marriage. May they be zocheh to build a bayis ne'eman b'Yisroel." I made a comment on a different blog on a tsnius posting that I'm surprised that someone hasn't legislated to change the name from Megillas Esther to Megillas Mordechai. Someone else commented that hadn't I noticed but the trend now is just to call it the Megillah, no name attached. (Wonder just what they would do with Megillas Rus?)
But I do have a solution to the problem--give women numbers instead of names. Can't be anything untsniusdik in saying 258893 [note: this is her nickname; for the real name see below]and I will be happy to come to lunch at your home. Not only that, but it would be of undoubted help in shidduchim.
The system could be set up as follows. The first two numbers would represent the year of birth--no more being told someone is one age and they turn out to be another age. The next five numbers would represent the zip code where the girl is presently residing--boys would know right away whether or not the girl lives in the right area. The next three numbers would be the first three digits of the zip code where the father grew up and the three digits after that would be the first three digits of the zip code where the mother grew up--no getting stuck with family not to your liking.
Ah, but we're not finished yet. The next two digits would represent the girls height in inches. This would be followed by the digits representing her dress size. (This is a slightly problematic set of numbers as a change in dress size would also mean a change in identification number, but I'll let the computer geeks work on this part.)
Still not done. The next digits would represent the amount of money a girl's parents are willing to give in support of a son in law. These digits would be followed by the mean top salary for the profession the girl is preparing for/has prepared for so as to be able to support her family. This would be followed by the digits representing how much money the girl has saved up towards supporting her husband.
To be a really useful name we would also have to include the digits representing the elementary school, high school and seminary that a girl attended. Also useful would be the digits representing the camp or camps attended.
Of course, once married there would need to be additional digits added to the identifying number. Certainly we'd need to add the letters/numbers of the car purchased for the husband by the in laws and/or the wife. You'd need to enter a digit for the number of boys the woman gives birth to (obviously no need to add a digit for the number of girls). For really older couples we would also need to include digits representing the number of grandchildren, with separate letter identifications for those who are sitting and learning. And if a man really wanted to "brag" about his wife, we could add a digit for the number of times in one week she cooks the husband's favorite foods. Note: this would have to be a single digit--making it a two digit number would be a breach of tsnius.
So congratulations Meir Bochur on your marriage to 91-11230-112-112-63-6-30000-68000--27934--17-17H-46-390. May you have years of happiness together. Meir's grandparents are celebrating their 50th anniversary today but our newspaper has run out of room to print his grandmother's identification number, so we'll just say congratulations Sholom Zayde on fifty years of marriage.
Purim Torah? Maybe.
But I do have a solution to the problem--give women numbers instead of names. Can't be anything untsniusdik in saying 258893 [note: this is her nickname; for the real name see below]and I will be happy to come to lunch at your home. Not only that, but it would be of undoubted help in shidduchim.
The system could be set up as follows. The first two numbers would represent the year of birth--no more being told someone is one age and they turn out to be another age. The next five numbers would represent the zip code where the girl is presently residing--boys would know right away whether or not the girl lives in the right area. The next three numbers would be the first three digits of the zip code where the father grew up and the three digits after that would be the first three digits of the zip code where the mother grew up--no getting stuck with family not to your liking.
Ah, but we're not finished yet. The next two digits would represent the girls height in inches. This would be followed by the digits representing her dress size. (This is a slightly problematic set of numbers as a change in dress size would also mean a change in identification number, but I'll let the computer geeks work on this part.)
Still not done. The next digits would represent the amount of money a girl's parents are willing to give in support of a son in law. These digits would be followed by the mean top salary for the profession the girl is preparing for/has prepared for so as to be able to support her family. This would be followed by the digits representing how much money the girl has saved up towards supporting her husband.
To be a really useful name we would also have to include the digits representing the elementary school, high school and seminary that a girl attended. Also useful would be the digits representing the camp or camps attended.
Of course, once married there would need to be additional digits added to the identifying number. Certainly we'd need to add the letters/numbers of the car purchased for the husband by the in laws and/or the wife. You'd need to enter a digit for the number of boys the woman gives birth to (obviously no need to add a digit for the number of girls). For really older couples we would also need to include digits representing the number of grandchildren, with separate letter identifications for those who are sitting and learning. And if a man really wanted to "brag" about his wife, we could add a digit for the number of times in one week she cooks the husband's favorite foods. Note: this would have to be a single digit--making it a two digit number would be a breach of tsnius.
So congratulations Meir Bochur on your marriage to 91-11230-112-112-63-6-30000-68000--27934--17-17H-46-390. May you have years of happiness together. Meir's grandparents are celebrating their 50th anniversary today but our newspaper has run out of room to print his grandmother's identification number, so we'll just say congratulations Sholom Zayde on fifty years of marriage.
Purim Torah? Maybe.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Ad lo Yodoh
There are lots of practices, things we are told to do, in yiddishkeit that we simply do without ever asking why. Then there are a few that totally raise questions in our minds. Purim, for me, brings one of those practices--ad lo yodoh. We are told to drink sufficient wine so that we don't know the difference between blessed Mordechai and cursed Haman. In other words, we forget that there is a difference. Why? Many other times we are told zacher--remember. Why now are we told to forget?
We read Megillas Esther twice on Purim. It's very clear from the Megillah that there is a huge difference between Mordechai and Haman. Mordechai is clearly the good guy and Haman clearly the bad guy. When the Megillah is studied I know of no one who teaches it who makes excuses for Haman's behavior, who refers to him as anything but Haman Ha'Rashah. Pick up that same megillah on Shushan Purim and there Haman is--still a Rashah, and Mordechai still the good guy. We have the holiday of Purim so that we will never forget what happened. So why, for the brief period of the Purim seudah and the hours that follow it do we suddenly change course and tell people to drink to forget that there really is any difference between them? What benefit is there to us in forgetting the difference?
Our history is unfortunately replete with any number of times that others have meant us harm, have attempted to c"v eradicate the Jewish people. That same history is also replete with "heroes" who have risen to the occasion and helped, with God's help, to save us from this intended harm. No one ever tells us to forget the difference for a few hours between those who intended the harm and those who averted it. Yet on Purim this is precisely what we are told. To not know the difference between Mordechai and Haman is to confuse who is who.
And it's not that we are told just to mentally tell ourselves that there was no difference between Mordechai and Haman--we are told to "eradicate" our memories through the use of alcohol. So again, why? There is more than one mishteh mentioned in the Megillah. Certainly the first one mentioned brought nothing but trouble in its wake. We see Ahasueros befuddled with wine and clearly not knowing the difference between the "good guys" and the "bad guys" when he listens to Haman. Ad loh yodoh, at least to me, seems to be establishing that we, too, have a mishteh that will make us befuddled. Why? Ma nishtanah ha yom hazeh mikol hayomim?
We are told that alcohol "gladdens the heart." Yeah, and I suppose that one glass of wine could do some gladdening and mellowing. Three or more glasses could make you far more than gladdened, particularly for those not accustomed to this much consumption at one time. But it isn't gladdening that we are solely instructed to do--it's forgetting the difference between two people that it's really hard to confuse. Again, why?
My confusion is further heightened by this: if enough is drunk to make someone unable to tell the difference between Mordechai and Haman there are also an awful lot of other things that will come along with this--the lack of ability to tell the difference between many other good and bad things. Get in this condition and you also can't tell the difference between right and wrong either. You can't tell the difference between "I'm impaired and should not get behind the wheel of a car" and "I have all the mental faculties and physical abilities needed to drive a car." Get in this condition and many a tongue has been loosened, saying things that in no way would be or is acceptable in polite company. Get in this condition and certain inhibitions as regards behavior get forgotten about.
So yes, I'm asking why we Jews need ad lo yodoh? Why for this holiday would we be instructed to get into a condition that is so opposite of the behavior expected of us all the rest of the year? Why for this holiday do we advocate a condition that surely is going to have many people doing and saying things they may live to regret? And yes, what are we supposed to learn from this?
We read Megillas Esther twice on Purim. It's very clear from the Megillah that there is a huge difference between Mordechai and Haman. Mordechai is clearly the good guy and Haman clearly the bad guy. When the Megillah is studied I know of no one who teaches it who makes excuses for Haman's behavior, who refers to him as anything but Haman Ha'Rashah. Pick up that same megillah on Shushan Purim and there Haman is--still a Rashah, and Mordechai still the good guy. We have the holiday of Purim so that we will never forget what happened. So why, for the brief period of the Purim seudah and the hours that follow it do we suddenly change course and tell people to drink to forget that there really is any difference between them? What benefit is there to us in forgetting the difference?
Our history is unfortunately replete with any number of times that others have meant us harm, have attempted to c"v eradicate the Jewish people. That same history is also replete with "heroes" who have risen to the occasion and helped, with God's help, to save us from this intended harm. No one ever tells us to forget the difference for a few hours between those who intended the harm and those who averted it. Yet on Purim this is precisely what we are told. To not know the difference between Mordechai and Haman is to confuse who is who.
And it's not that we are told just to mentally tell ourselves that there was no difference between Mordechai and Haman--we are told to "eradicate" our memories through the use of alcohol. So again, why? There is more than one mishteh mentioned in the Megillah. Certainly the first one mentioned brought nothing but trouble in its wake. We see Ahasueros befuddled with wine and clearly not knowing the difference between the "good guys" and the "bad guys" when he listens to Haman. Ad loh yodoh, at least to me, seems to be establishing that we, too, have a mishteh that will make us befuddled. Why? Ma nishtanah ha yom hazeh mikol hayomim?
We are told that alcohol "gladdens the heart." Yeah, and I suppose that one glass of wine could do some gladdening and mellowing. Three or more glasses could make you far more than gladdened, particularly for those not accustomed to this much consumption at one time. But it isn't gladdening that we are solely instructed to do--it's forgetting the difference between two people that it's really hard to confuse. Again, why?
My confusion is further heightened by this: if enough is drunk to make someone unable to tell the difference between Mordechai and Haman there are also an awful lot of other things that will come along with this--the lack of ability to tell the difference between many other good and bad things. Get in this condition and you also can't tell the difference between right and wrong either. You can't tell the difference between "I'm impaired and should not get behind the wheel of a car" and "I have all the mental faculties and physical abilities needed to drive a car." Get in this condition and many a tongue has been loosened, saying things that in no way would be or is acceptable in polite company. Get in this condition and certain inhibitions as regards behavior get forgotten about.
So yes, I'm asking why we Jews need ad lo yodoh? Why for this holiday would we be instructed to get into a condition that is so opposite of the behavior expected of us all the rest of the year? Why for this holiday do we advocate a condition that surely is going to have many people doing and saying things they may live to regret? And yes, what are we supposed to learn from this?
Monday, February 22, 2010
When Did It Die?
Lots of conversations about Purim this time of year, at work, in the community, online. Some of that conversation centers around the excessive lists for shalach monos giving that have become prevalent for large parts of Klal. Some of it is about giving more for matonos l'evyonim and less for shalach monos. Some of the conversation is about the cost of all these shalach monos packages purchased ready made from bakeries, stores, schools and organizations.
But with only two exceptions in my forays around online or in my questions in "real" conversations has anyone mentioned that they are preparing their own shalach monos, that they are baking. Last year SL at Orthonomics mentioned that she does her own preparation. And G6 at Guesswho'scomingtodinner already had pictures up last week of some of the home baked goodies that are going to be given out for Purim.
How, when, why did baking come to be looked at as unnecessary, as burdensome, as old fashioned? When I first got married EVERYBODY baked for Purim, and for other times as well. Sure, some people did a better job of it than others. Sure, some items were better tasting than others. But they were all home made. And then suddenly the tide turned and home baking was passe, from another time period, out of favor.
One reason that occasionally raises its head has to do with kashrus. Okay, here is the thing. I don't give shalach monos to strangers, and every single one of the people on my list has eaten meals in my home. No one is going to be questioning my kashrus regarding the shalach monos. Then someone piped up that they give shalach monos to every one of the rebbeim, moros that their kids have and have had in yeshiva and you can't send home baked goods there. I'll leave this particular "custom" to a different rant.
So why aren't people baking any more? It's not even just the Purim baking that isn't happening--it's baking in general. Give it another generation or two and baking is going to be just another strange, very strange hobby, practiced by a few. I have seriously been asked why I still bake when bakeries are plentiful in New York. Okay, I may not be the biggest maven when it comes to baked goods but I'm big enough, and across the board I've eaten from a whole slew of kosher bakeries here and in other parts of the country. Yes, on occasion there have been some well prepared, tempting pastries provided. But in general the bakery baked goods are just average--nothing special to write home about. Why are we so willing to settle for mediocre when much better is available for only a little effort?
So, why aren't people baking for Purim anymore? Why aren't they baking in general?
But with only two exceptions in my forays around online or in my questions in "real" conversations has anyone mentioned that they are preparing their own shalach monos, that they are baking. Last year SL at Orthonomics mentioned that she does her own preparation. And G6 at Guesswho'scomingtodinner already had pictures up last week of some of the home baked goodies that are going to be given out for Purim.
How, when, why did baking come to be looked at as unnecessary, as burdensome, as old fashioned? When I first got married EVERYBODY baked for Purim, and for other times as well. Sure, some people did a better job of it than others. Sure, some items were better tasting than others. But they were all home made. And then suddenly the tide turned and home baking was passe, from another time period, out of favor.
One reason that occasionally raises its head has to do with kashrus. Okay, here is the thing. I don't give shalach monos to strangers, and every single one of the people on my list has eaten meals in my home. No one is going to be questioning my kashrus regarding the shalach monos. Then someone piped up that they give shalach monos to every one of the rebbeim, moros that their kids have and have had in yeshiva and you can't send home baked goods there. I'll leave this particular "custom" to a different rant.
So why aren't people baking any more? It's not even just the Purim baking that isn't happening--it's baking in general. Give it another generation or two and baking is going to be just another strange, very strange hobby, practiced by a few. I have seriously been asked why I still bake when bakeries are plentiful in New York. Okay, I may not be the biggest maven when it comes to baked goods but I'm big enough, and across the board I've eaten from a whole slew of kosher bakeries here and in other parts of the country. Yes, on occasion there have been some well prepared, tempting pastries provided. But in general the bakery baked goods are just average--nothing special to write home about. Why are we so willing to settle for mediocre when much better is available for only a little effort?
So, why aren't people baking for Purim anymore? Why aren't they baking in general?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Some More Ammunition for the Anti-Drunk Battle
G6 has up a posting on alcohol http://guesswhoscoming2dinner.blogspot.com/ with an excellent link to what Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky says about Purim and Alcohol And thanks to Staying Afloat for giving this link in one of the comments. http://yehudamondfoundation.org Click on Lechaim video on the left to watch the movie.
On Costumers and Customers
There's a particular spelling error that Spell Check loves to catch and "correct." Make an error in spelling the word customer and 99 out of 100 times the word will be corrected to read costumer. You know--the costumer is always right. This used to be just a minor annoyance in marking papers but I'm beginning to think that there is something else going on with this word confusion.
It's almost Purim, and costumers are in great demand right now. There are any number of places which rent out costumes for Purim and any number that sell the costumes outright. I took a look at the prices of some of those costumes, both through the gemachs and those being sold. Guess what? There is sometimes mega money involved. Yes, I consider it mega money when you rent a costume for one day for a 2-year-old that can cost you $30 and up. Yes, I consider it mega money when buying a "super duper" costume can run $50 and waaay up. (One gemach had the "fancier" costumes for $65 and up, and they had been reserved for months already.) Take four kids and rent/buy their costumes and begin at $120 and head for the stratosphere. Let's not even mention what adult costumes can cost.
This is one place where homemade definitely beats out what can be gotten "out there." This is one place where buying/renting can put a crimp in the budget. Yet again, there is a competition to see who can find the "best" costumes, can make others say "Wow!" You think those costumes are all going to be recycled among the kids? Uh huh. You tell your little Yankele that he has to wear his big brothers "old" costume while that older brother gets a new one--watch out for the tears and fireworks.
There has been so much talk this year about cutting down on Purim expenses, on giving more to matanos l'evyonim instead of to shalach monos and/or other Purim expenses. Costumes have been mentioned by no one, and yet they are an obvious place to save.
Instead of heading for the checkbook, head for scissors and paper and tape and glue. Let your kids get creative. And let's head away from the costumer/customer confusion. You don't need to be a customer of a costumer to have a great time on Purim.
It's almost Purim, and costumers are in great demand right now. There are any number of places which rent out costumes for Purim and any number that sell the costumes outright. I took a look at the prices of some of those costumes, both through the gemachs and those being sold. Guess what? There is sometimes mega money involved. Yes, I consider it mega money when you rent a costume for one day for a 2-year-old that can cost you $30 and up. Yes, I consider it mega money when buying a "super duper" costume can run $50 and waaay up. (One gemach had the "fancier" costumes for $65 and up, and they had been reserved for months already.) Take four kids and rent/buy their costumes and begin at $120 and head for the stratosphere. Let's not even mention what adult costumes can cost.
This is one place where homemade definitely beats out what can be gotten "out there." This is one place where buying/renting can put a crimp in the budget. Yet again, there is a competition to see who can find the "best" costumes, can make others say "Wow!" You think those costumes are all going to be recycled among the kids? Uh huh. You tell your little Yankele that he has to wear his big brothers "old" costume while that older brother gets a new one--watch out for the tears and fireworks.
There has been so much talk this year about cutting down on Purim expenses, on giving more to matanos l'evyonim instead of to shalach monos and/or other Purim expenses. Costumes have been mentioned by no one, and yet they are an obvious place to save.
Instead of heading for the checkbook, head for scissors and paper and tape and glue. Let your kids get creative. And let's head away from the costumer/customer confusion. You don't need to be a customer of a costumer to have a great time on Purim.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
In the Spirit of Purim
This year Purim will fall out on Sunday, February 28. For many people this is a wonderful thing. Because most people will not have to worry about going to work and then having a seudah, the day will be more relaxed. That's the good part. The not so good part is the part that takes some of the pleasure out of the day for me: alcohol.
Now, I could let loose with a really strong rant here--and I've done so before-- http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com/2008/02/take-cover.html and I could tell you what the Rambam says about drinking on Purim-- http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com/2008/02/rambam-on-drinking-on-purim.html and I've done so before. But I won't rant at you (at least not much) this year. Instead I'm going to appeal to the adult in all of you to give some thought to what you really gain by getting drunk on Purim, and what you lose.
Here's what you gain, if you can call it a gain: a few hours of being anesthetized such that you have no idea what is being said and done around you nor any idea of what you are saying and doing. Oh joy.
Here is what you lose: everything not covered in what you gain. If you're a parent, you lose the right to be considered an upright and outstanding role model for your children. Your self respect gets flushed down the toilet along with the inevitable vomiting. You miss out on all the joy of the holiday, of participating fully. If you take your guests along with you on your inebriated journey, you surely don't get host of the year award. You really think you have celebrated Purim the way it should be celebrated when the next day you are hung over and can't remember quite what you said and what you did the day before? You think you make a cute drunk? Think again! There is no such thing as a cute drunk.
There will be no drunks at my Purim table because that is not what Purim is about. There will be no shots of anything poured in my house for those boys who come collecting. Yes, there will be a glass of a fine wine--that's ONE glass--at the start of the seudah--and that's for the grownups, those legally allowed to drink. When people think back to my seudah they will actually be capable of remembering what went on.
The choice to act in an adult manner is yours to make. The choice to be a responsible adult is yours to make. All I can hope is that you make that adult choice not to get sloshed on Purim. You haven't got a halachic leg to stand on, and frankly, society doesn't much love a drunk.
Perhaps this year that vaunted fine behavior that Klal is supposed to be noted for will actually be visible among the males.
Now, I could let loose with a really strong rant here--and I've done so before-- http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com/2008/02/take-cover.html and I could tell you what the Rambam says about drinking on Purim-- http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com/2008/02/rambam-on-drinking-on-purim.html and I've done so before. But I won't rant at you (at least not much) this year. Instead I'm going to appeal to the adult in all of you to give some thought to what you really gain by getting drunk on Purim, and what you lose.
Here's what you gain, if you can call it a gain: a few hours of being anesthetized such that you have no idea what is being said and done around you nor any idea of what you are saying and doing. Oh joy.
Here is what you lose: everything not covered in what you gain. If you're a parent, you lose the right to be considered an upright and outstanding role model for your children. Your self respect gets flushed down the toilet along with the inevitable vomiting. You miss out on all the joy of the holiday, of participating fully. If you take your guests along with you on your inebriated journey, you surely don't get host of the year award. You really think you have celebrated Purim the way it should be celebrated when the next day you are hung over and can't remember quite what you said and what you did the day before? You think you make a cute drunk? Think again! There is no such thing as a cute drunk.
There will be no drunks at my Purim table because that is not what Purim is about. There will be no shots of anything poured in my house for those boys who come collecting. Yes, there will be a glass of a fine wine--that's ONE glass--at the start of the seudah--and that's for the grownups, those legally allowed to drink. When people think back to my seudah they will actually be capable of remembering what went on.
The choice to act in an adult manner is yours to make. The choice to be a responsible adult is yours to make. All I can hope is that you make that adult choice not to get sloshed on Purim. You haven't got a halachic leg to stand on, and frankly, society doesn't much love a drunk.
Perhaps this year that vaunted fine behavior that Klal is supposed to be noted for will actually be visible among the males.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Yup, the Ps are coming
What I'm about to write may be Painful for some People or Perhaps Puzzling (amazing how many P words English Produces). Now that January 1 has come and gone I've taken a look at my Purim and Pesach lists and made the decision as to which items should not under any circumstances be left to do immediately before those holidays. The time to do them is now, when, relatively speaking, I have time for them.
So much of the panic that ensues in the time period between pre-Purim and Pesach is totally and completely avoidable. If we become frazzled during that time, the cause is ourselves.
So, do you have some idea about where you will be having Purim Seudah? If it's going to be in your home a bit of thinking now saves a lot of aggravation erev Purim. Are you going to be serving on china or using disposables? If disposables, buy them now and put them away. No reason to make that a trip when you are going to be busy cooking. Do you know to whom you are going to be sending Shalach Monos? Why not? Talk to your family now, type up the list, put it in a file in the computer and breathe easier when it's the week of Purim. [And if that shalach monos list seems to resemble the population roll of a small urban city, you might want to give some thought to reducing that list.]
As for Pesach, take a deep breath and think of all the work that you do every year right before the holiday. How much of it really needs to be done then? Probably a lot less than you figure. Do you wash your bedroom curtains every year for Pesach? Why? Or polish and clean your chandelier? Or rearrange your linen closet? Or alphabetize your bookshelves? (never mind removing all those books and cleaning and polishing all the shelves) Do you find yourself up on a step ladder peering into the uppermost regions of storage areas whose contents have not seen the light of day for years? Do all the windows in the house require washing only when Pesach is imminent? Ladies, we are guilty of producing some of that pre-Pesach hysteria, and there's no reason for it.
As I'm writing this the bedroom curtains are merrily twirling in the washing machine. They have nothing to do with having a kosher Pesach and a lot to do with housekeeping madness. They are getting done now, not when they become yet one more item on an impossible to do list. And no, I'm not calling these cleaning chores Pesach preparation. They have zero, zip, nada to do with Pesach, except where we have somehow inscribed them in our minds as being "necessary" for having a Kosher Pesach.
So yes, I'm recommending a P word--planning. And I'm also recommending another P word--purging, such as in purging from your erev Yom Tov lists those items that can be done at some other time, waaaaay in advance of the holiday, or long after it is over.
Perhaps if people would Plan ahead they might find themselves experiencing another P word that some balabustas never get to--Pleasure in the holiday.
So much of the panic that ensues in the time period between pre-Purim and Pesach is totally and completely avoidable. If we become frazzled during that time, the cause is ourselves.
So, do you have some idea about where you will be having Purim Seudah? If it's going to be in your home a bit of thinking now saves a lot of aggravation erev Purim. Are you going to be serving on china or using disposables? If disposables, buy them now and put them away. No reason to make that a trip when you are going to be busy cooking. Do you know to whom you are going to be sending Shalach Monos? Why not? Talk to your family now, type up the list, put it in a file in the computer and breathe easier when it's the week of Purim. [And if that shalach monos list seems to resemble the population roll of a small urban city, you might want to give some thought to reducing that list.]
As for Pesach, take a deep breath and think of all the work that you do every year right before the holiday. How much of it really needs to be done then? Probably a lot less than you figure. Do you wash your bedroom curtains every year for Pesach? Why? Or polish and clean your chandelier? Or rearrange your linen closet? Or alphabetize your bookshelves? (never mind removing all those books and cleaning and polishing all the shelves) Do you find yourself up on a step ladder peering into the uppermost regions of storage areas whose contents have not seen the light of day for years? Do all the windows in the house require washing only when Pesach is imminent? Ladies, we are guilty of producing some of that pre-Pesach hysteria, and there's no reason for it.
As I'm writing this the bedroom curtains are merrily twirling in the washing machine. They have nothing to do with having a kosher Pesach and a lot to do with housekeeping madness. They are getting done now, not when they become yet one more item on an impossible to do list. And no, I'm not calling these cleaning chores Pesach preparation. They have zero, zip, nada to do with Pesach, except where we have somehow inscribed them in our minds as being "necessary" for having a Kosher Pesach.
So yes, I'm recommending a P word--planning. And I'm also recommending another P word--purging, such as in purging from your erev Yom Tov lists those items that can be done at some other time, waaaaay in advance of the holiday, or long after it is over.
Perhaps if people would Plan ahead they might find themselves experiencing another P word that some balabustas never get to--Pleasure in the holiday.
Friday, March 13, 2009
I Spent Less Than You Did, so There!
I had no intention of writing a posting on Friday, erev Shabbos, but someone passed along a comment that was made, and here I am typing.
A lot of commentary on the blogosphere and elsewhere focused on the amount of money spent on making Purim Seudah. And a lot of the comments were less than complimentary. Many were of the "Do you know how much money Person X spent on Seudah this year?!" type of comment. No, I don't know. Further, unless this person owes me a pile of money, or owes anyone else a pile of money, I don't care. Usually this type of comment is followed by a smugly uttered "I spent way less and had a beautiful Seudah. Who are these other people trying to impress?"
Now, if Person Q should happen to say "I'm really short on money this year and I don't know where or how to cut down expenses on my Purim Seudah," then Person W could be applauded for offering to share any money saving methods. But mostly this doesn't happen. Mostly people make comments about other people's spending without being asked for their input.
We seem to spend an awful lot of time stirring the contents of other people's pots. Perhaps it's more than past time to keep our noses firmly anchored in our own pots. Once, it was considered a rank breach of etiquette to ask a hostess how much a meal cost, not to mention its being social suicide. Going backwards might be a real improvement over today. Unless someone is asking you to pay for that meal, all that is required is a "thank you for inviting me." And this goes for everyone who was not a guest at someone else's table. Why should you know or care what that person spent in preparing a meal?
Here's the deal: I won't ask you how much money you spent on a meal and you won't ask me either. I won't make comments about your food spending habits and you won't make comments about mine. I have always refused to play the game of one-up-manship, whether that game is the version of "I spent more than you did, so there!" or whether it was the version of "I spent less than you did, so there!"
Just by the way, the comment that got my dander up was about a hostess who served roast beef to a guest list numbering over twenty. She apparently compounded this sin by also offering a roast turkey and a large variety of side dishes. And--gasp!--she served champagne as her wine offering. And this is anyone else's business just why? Last I heard this woman was not on the public dole, was employed, has a husband who is employed, pays her own bills, is not a recipient of tzedaka funds for the impoverished and doesn't spend money to impress or depress other people.
A lot of commentary on the blogosphere and elsewhere focused on the amount of money spent on making Purim Seudah. And a lot of the comments were less than complimentary. Many were of the "Do you know how much money Person X spent on Seudah this year?!" type of comment. No, I don't know. Further, unless this person owes me a pile of money, or owes anyone else a pile of money, I don't care. Usually this type of comment is followed by a smugly uttered "I spent way less and had a beautiful Seudah. Who are these other people trying to impress?"
Now, if Person Q should happen to say "I'm really short on money this year and I don't know where or how to cut down expenses on my Purim Seudah," then Person W could be applauded for offering to share any money saving methods. But mostly this doesn't happen. Mostly people make comments about other people's spending without being asked for their input.
We seem to spend an awful lot of time stirring the contents of other people's pots. Perhaps it's more than past time to keep our noses firmly anchored in our own pots. Once, it was considered a rank breach of etiquette to ask a hostess how much a meal cost, not to mention its being social suicide. Going backwards might be a real improvement over today. Unless someone is asking you to pay for that meal, all that is required is a "thank you for inviting me." And this goes for everyone who was not a guest at someone else's table. Why should you know or care what that person spent in preparing a meal?
Here's the deal: I won't ask you how much money you spent on a meal and you won't ask me either. I won't make comments about your food spending habits and you won't make comments about mine. I have always refused to play the game of one-up-manship, whether that game is the version of "I spent more than you did, so there!" or whether it was the version of "I spent less than you did, so there!"
Just by the way, the comment that got my dander up was about a hostess who served roast beef to a guest list numbering over twenty. She apparently compounded this sin by also offering a roast turkey and a large variety of side dishes. And--gasp!--she served champagne as her wine offering. And this is anyone else's business just why? Last I heard this woman was not on the public dole, was employed, has a husband who is employed, pays her own bills, is not a recipient of tzedaka funds for the impoverished and doesn't spend money to impress or depress other people.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Post Purim and Still Euphoric
One thing I've learned over the years is that you can plan and plan and plan and things will still go only one of two ways: right or wrong. Yesterday was one of those days that went right, very right. Shalach monos delivery went off without a hitch, bringing with it joyous greetings from family, friends and neighbors. The megillah leining was organized and, even though there were tons of little ones, everyone heard every word. I'm still trying to remember in which shul in my past I saw the traffic light that kept the noise at "Haman" under control, but our shul used that traffic light this year and it worked perfectly. The cooking went according to schedule, leaving me an unfrazzled hostess.
But perhaps the best part was that everyone came to seudah prepared to have a good time. Conversation was lively. The littlest ones all found new and welcoming laps to occupy. The two great-grandmothers at the table beamed as they looked at us, and yes, we beamed at the two great-grandmothers who decorated our table in the best way possible. Everyone dug into the food as platters whizzed around the table. Laughter was the spice of choice. There were three non-family members at the table last night who all fit in as if they were one of ours. When our guests, reluctantly, all headed for home, I faced the pile of dishes with a smile on my face.
Yes, the work was exhausting, and I still am not sure how I made it to my bed last night, but I would do it all again in a second for the beautiful memories that I will have forever of Purim this year. At this point in my life I recognize that it is not the things you own but the things you do that form the fabric of memory that wraps you around and keeps you warm.
I'm sitting with a hot cup of coffee and a head full of memories right now. I know that the other "P" word is coming down the road quickly, as well as all the other daily activities that life provides, but for right now they can stay on my to-do list. Right now it's still Purim for me. Rainy and cold outside? Doesn't matter, because I've got my Purim memories to keep me dry and warm. I feel a chuckle building up--one nephew and his family came all dressed up as birds; his sister and her family came all dressed up as bees. Yup, the birds and the bees were integral parts of seudah last night.
Purim is only over if you let it be over. Me, I'm stretching it out, waaaay out.
But perhaps the best part was that everyone came to seudah prepared to have a good time. Conversation was lively. The littlest ones all found new and welcoming laps to occupy. The two great-grandmothers at the table beamed as they looked at us, and yes, we beamed at the two great-grandmothers who decorated our table in the best way possible. Everyone dug into the food as platters whizzed around the table. Laughter was the spice of choice. There were three non-family members at the table last night who all fit in as if they were one of ours. When our guests, reluctantly, all headed for home, I faced the pile of dishes with a smile on my face.
Yes, the work was exhausting, and I still am not sure how I made it to my bed last night, but I would do it all again in a second for the beautiful memories that I will have forever of Purim this year. At this point in my life I recognize that it is not the things you own but the things you do that form the fabric of memory that wraps you around and keeps you warm.
I'm sitting with a hot cup of coffee and a head full of memories right now. I know that the other "P" word is coming down the road quickly, as well as all the other daily activities that life provides, but for right now they can stay on my to-do list. Right now it's still Purim for me. Rainy and cold outside? Doesn't matter, because I've got my Purim memories to keep me dry and warm. I feel a chuckle building up--one nephew and his family came all dressed up as birds; his sister and her family came all dressed up as bees. Yup, the birds and the bees were integral parts of seudah last night.
Purim is only over if you let it be over. Me, I'm stretching it out, waaaay out.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A Rabbi's Viewpoint on Drinking on Purim
If you don't think I have standing to be discussing the use of alcohol on Purim, then by all means go and see what a bonafide shul Rabbi has to say. The Rebbetzin's Husband has a posting on the subject that is worth the read.
http://rechovot.blogspot.com/
http://rechovot.blogspot.com/
Costumes With a Twist
Apparently while I was busy doing something else a bit of life passed me by. I just ran across an advertisement for a Purim costume gemach. http://www.norensberg.org/downloads/purim_costume_gemach.pdf I was curious so I clicked on the link. What is charged for the costumes is not stated but they do charge or they could not have put on that "all proceeds go to Tzedaka." What really got to me was that they gave the sizes of the costumes available: 0-6 months through toddler 6.
Apparently it is more than age that separates the generations. I honestly cannot remember one single 3-month old who was dressed up in a purchased/rented costume back when my kids were young. Truthfully, I cannot remember any 3-month old that was dressed up period. In fact, few, if any, people purchased much more than a strange hat from a party store. Costumes were homemade and pretty much limited to those perfectly perambulatory.
I used to think that Gemachs were around to provide necessary items for people who don't have them. So now ready made Purim costumes for the leaky-diaper set are a necessity? I have a sneaking suspicion that competition has raised its head when it comes to Purim costumes, and it's beginning awfully young.
Apparently it is more than age that separates the generations. I honestly cannot remember one single 3-month old who was dressed up in a purchased/rented costume back when my kids were young. Truthfully, I cannot remember any 3-month old that was dressed up period. In fact, few, if any, people purchased much more than a strange hat from a party store. Costumes were homemade and pretty much limited to those perfectly perambulatory.
I used to think that Gemachs were around to provide necessary items for people who don't have them. So now ready made Purim costumes for the leaky-diaper set are a necessity? I have a sneaking suspicion that competition has raised its head when it comes to Purim costumes, and it's beginning awfully young.
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