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Nachmanides’ interpretation fits in with the entire tenor of the Purim holiday. The traditions of Purim—sending gifts of food to friends and acquaintances, participating in a festive meal, and listening to two public readings of the Book of Esther—all aim at strengthening our ties to our fellow Jews. Nachmanides teaches that we likewise give charity to anyone who asks on Purim in order to increase love between Jews. And in case one wonders if we aren’t liable to give to someone who isn’t worthy in the process, the answer, on Purim, is that every Jew is worthy of our love.
This perspective on the expansive character of the Purim holiday can help us to better appreciate, in turn, the relatively recent custom of wearing costumes on Purim. In strengthening communal unity, we break down boundaries and, to use the terminology of the 20th century sociologist, Victor Turner, create a liminal reality in which day-to-day hierarchies are dissolved and communitas, an unstructured feeling of communal togetherness, emerges in its place. Dressing-up in costume likewise contributes to creating this liminal, communal space.
As for the question of why this unstructured feeling of togetherness is fitting for Purim, the answer is very basic and, indeed, almost primal. On Purim, all Jews were in danger of becoming victims of Haman’s genocidal plan. Haman didn’t distinguish between different kinds of Jews or Jewish communities; he wanted to annihilate them all. But all Jews, without distinction, benefited from the miraculous turn of events in which Haman’s plan was frustrated and the Jew people emerged triumphant. Purim traditions also encourage us to strengthen our connection to all Jews, without distinction.
The American Sephardi Federation wishes all of our friends a festive Purim filled with communal joy and togetherness. If there’s one thing that we can learn from anti-Semites like Haman, it’s that they don’t make distinctions between Jews. In our basic love for other Jews, we shouldn’t make any distinctions, either.
Purim Sameach!
The American Sephardi Federation
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