In recent days, many Jews in Israel are wondering what the proper way is to celebrate Purim in the shadow of the war and the plight of the hostages and their families and the thousands of Jews who were evacuated from their homes.
On one hand, Jews have the mitzvah of being b’simcha on Purim but on the other hand, so many Jews are suffering and so many IDF soldiers have been killed and injured.
The shaila was posed to HaRav Zilberstein, who responded: “I learned from my Rebbe, HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Shulman, z’tl, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, who at a time of war warned the bnei yeshivos that it’s forbidden to go out on the streets and wander around for no reason. So many are on the battlefront, there are women whose husbands are at battle and mothers whose hearts are tight with fear for their sons. He also wouldn’t agree to sing zemiros on Shabbos out loud in order not to cause pain to the neighbors whose relatives were on the battlefront.”
“It is definitely appropriate to be careful about this on Purim as much as possible,” HaRav Zilberstein concluded.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
This would be true in general. However, the message from the soldiers is clear and they are saying: GO ON WITH YOUR LIVES NORMALLY! We’re there you so that you can live it with all of your energy. If you are בעצבות, what are we fighting for?
It’s not like 50 years ago. A very large percentage of soldiers are religious or they’re in brigades with Dati Leumi, and today, because this war is clearly against Amalek, all Jews are appreciating Purim so much more, they want us to celebrate.
BTW, the Jerusalem city is putting a parade (unfortuantely). YWN reported on it.
During the Yom Kippur war there was no Bein Hazmanim – Bochrim stayed in Yeshivos at least in Slobodka under Rav Mordche Shulman. In addition; no Bocher of 18 or above was allowed to descend from the hill (Slobodka Yeshiva is on a hill in Bnei Brak) and any errand should be delegated to a younger bocher.
עוד מוסר חי
עוד ישמע בערי יהודה הלוואי
השתא פורים שקטה
לשנה הבאה ננעים ברינה
@aymdock it seems that the reason to be more private would be because the family members of the soldiers are living in fear with their husbands and sons on the battlefront- even if the soldiers themselves “want the civilians to live their normal life”. Also it is not clear that the war is against Amalek.
that may be true but not all jews are talmidim of your rebbe.
the lubavitch rebbe and many others take a different approach.
Yidden feel free to be besimcha and sing and dance.
talmidim of this rebbe get your sack cloths. and double sack cloth on tisha bav.