Many yeshivos are busy this week with Purim preparations, which includes the Purim Rav, poking fun at rabbonim in the yeshivos. In reality, some rabbonim are fine with this while others are deeply offended, some feeling it represents an insult to Kovod HaTorah.
In a talk to talmidim Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein addressed the inyan of Purim Rav, warning talmidim of the need to distance themselves from offending anyone on Purim, all the more so talmidei chachamim. Rav Edelstein praised yeshivos that use the day for limudim.
He reminded talmidim that a number of years ago, here in Ponevezh, talmidim poked fun “at a very important person” as part of their Purim celebrations. He spoke of how they mocked a person who was present, and one of those involved later told him that since that time, he lost his טעם for limud Torah. “I can’t sit and learn today as I did prior to that incident on that Purim,” Rav Edelstein quotes the talmid as lamenting.
Rav Edelstein warned against מסכת פורים too, using the names of Tannaim and Amaroim for levity of the day, as if this is Gemara. The rav warned such actions can have long-term ramifications, including one’s shidduch prospects.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
Poking fun and verbal abuse are extremely close in nature. Jokes of the past are abuse and bullying of today. Beware!!
There is a proper concept of Purim Rav, and it has powerful potential if used correctly.
Its a shame that Purim has become an excuse for too many frum yidden to engage in drunken an lewd behavior and speak lashon horah in the name of ad sheloyadah. It speaks volumes of all the pent up desire to let loose but unfortunately at the expense of others.
I am having trouble with the problem of מסכת פורים, as there is an ancient מסכת פורים written by the Rishonim. Some say it was written by Rabbeinu Kalonymus bar Kalonymus. Others say it was written by the Ralbag. One of the editions of this masechta was found in the library of Rav Yaakov Emden. See these links on Hebrew Books:
http://hebrewbooks.org/52602
http://hebrewbooks.org/37448
I have often seen Purim Rav’s mock rabbonim making fun of their personal character lackings. I believe it good and healthy that the rabbis see that they are not yet angels and that they too can take some musar.
I don’t see why the Yeshivas don’t make a special shiur in which the Rebbeim go through some of the Miforshim on Migilas Esther so that the Talmidim will get a deeper appreciation of what happened.
Softwords….. O do I wish my Yeshiva’s participated in a day of learning, non-heavy drinking at a seuda (which is not a 5 hour deal), and joyous dancing. The reality became that if a bachur was looking for a kavodik mincha minyan, he’d have to daved at the local Modern Orthodox style shul, and not the yeshiva. We have drifted a far way on purim in the twenty first century.