We’ve all seen it and laughed but it’s really not funny- anymore. Today with the advent of social media, there’s really no such thing as a ‘private’ joke. A cute picture or a harmless comment often finds its way onto social media and is immediately misconstrued as racist or worse. The outrageous actions of a few unthinking people, force many of us to hide our faces in shame. This need not be. We all need to better understand that every action, big or small, has a potential reaction. A private prank or an insensitive costume on Purim, once no big deal, can have serious repercussions as we’ve seen all too well. Don’t take my word for it, ask Assemblyman Dov Hikind who meant no harm a few years ago. Social media has changed all that. Nothing is private if it’s posted on twitter, whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook etc… The secular media has hungry reporters looking for stories about us. Don’t become one.
I particularly point to the centuries old custom of hanging an effigy of Haman. Today unfortunately we Jews know all too well how it feels to be singled out for harassment. Be it a bomb threat or the always horrific swastika, we understand hatred and we understand intolerance. But we are not alone in that feeling. Other communities particularly minorities, suffer discrimination too. They, like us, know how it feels to be targeted and we need to be sensitive to that reality. They don’t understand the harmless symbolism of the hanging Haman the same way we do. They have their own interpretation. Think about it. Look, I love Purim and I absolutely hate political correctness but we are in galus and must be sensitive to our world around us. Double parking, public drunkenness, and bad behavior is something we can all agree is not appropriate, even on Purim. We have neighbors, Jews and non- Jews alike, who need to considered before vomiting on their lawn or blocking their driveway. It’s just not cool or Jewish to run around all night screaming at the top of your lungs disturbing sleeping neighbors. Please by all means go out, collect tzedokah and have a blast but remember who and where you are. Enjoy your private party but try to keep it private. Let’s enjoy the concept of live and let live by not blaring loud music that disturbs everyone. It’s Purim not marti-gras. Many of your gentile neighbors don’t understand how such special people could behave so un-special. Show some humanity from those you expect the same from. Think about it.
Now I know what your thinking, who does this guy think he is? I’m you and you are me. We are both trying to live our lives peacefully in galus as religious Jews. Don’t look for reasons to criticize this article or the writer, instead find reasons to embrace the opportunity to make a Kiddush Hashem. So to review, if you think dressing up as a member of a minority is a clever idea, think again- it’s not. If you feel like hanging up an effigy of Haman in dread locks, please reconsider the broad ramifications of your actions. Giving haters the opportunity to accuse us of being racist is preventable if you just think. We are lucky to live in America and this land provides us the incredible right to practice our religion how we wish. But nobody has the right to act in a way that insults, disturbs or demeans anyone. We are a great people, let’s act like it. Just think. Have a happy and safe Purim.
Sincerely,
Mordechai Hayehudi
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18 Responses
Very True
Kol hakovod to the author of this column for highlighting a critical issue for ALL yiden, whether living in galus or EY. The disgusting photos we have seen for the past week of children marching around with pigs heads pasted on the bodies of IDF chayalim, the mindless and disrespectful kol korehs from a small number of “rabbonim” warning parents that their children not dress in police or soldier costumes etc. are picked up on social and news media throughout the world and only reinforce anti-semitic stereotypes and embolden terrorism against yidden throughout the world.
#2 Gadolhadoraho you’re not feeling any pressure in the situations you mentioned, just disgust, for the Jews under pressure?
I agree, & I definitely agree with Gadolhadorah.
Wow, congrats to YWN for this balanced, sensible article. And I hope the Gadolhador remembers to take his meds, because he’s misunderstood this article. YWN wants to prevent trouble with the host nation in North America. Who knows what could result? Lawsuits, or worse? Cv”s. Why, oh why, is the Gadol so obsessed with how a few frum kids dress up or don’t dress up on Purim??? Something that is clearly not an issue in the U.S. and is not the subject under discussion in the article.
Well, may be you should not be in galut and come home to Israel. Here you can be a proud Jew and scream off the top of your lungs as much as you want.
american_yerushalmi, It’s just Gadolhadorah doing what Gadolhadorah does. Finding any excuse to pick on frum people.
Very well said. And yes, Gadol you’ve definitely missed the point.
Mordechai you’ve done it again. Baruch Mordechai Hayehudi, Arur Haman Harsha and down with all evil
No offense, american_yerushalmi, but I think you have misunderstood the “gadol’s” comment.
Great article
For the first time i agree with GAdolHador
For you American_yerushalmi
you need to be more careful what you rite !!
We don’t need to agree but this kind of insults like (taking medication ) are for sure NOT אהבת ישראל i think he deserves an opoligy
Don’t forget Sunday is פורים
and is more holy the יום כפורים
Let’s bring the גאולה שלמה
With משלוח מנות to איש לרעהו
Gadolhadorah, you’re so right.
@american_yerushalmi – You are the one that needs to be on meds, @gadolhadora’s comment is very much in line with the theme of the article. It’s not just about “being obsessed with how a few frum kids dress up or don’t dress up” but rather how we dengrate others (Jewish or not) through our choice of costumes (or parades).
The opposite of galus is NOT when we Yidden will no longrr be singled out and/or ridiculed like other minorities and victims of biased hatred and racism. Geulah is when we WILL be singled out as the Am ha’nivchar. Wishing to be like the other umos, with equal rights, equal access, etc., is the ultimate galus Yid.
American Yerushalmi, you seem to have misunderstood Gadolhadorah’s comment. He is not obsessed with how children dress up on Purim, he is decrying the kol korehs that tell kids not to dress in certain costumes due to their own agenda. Big difference.
Also, don’t trivialize real issues by accusing random people online of being on medication.
The basic theme of this article does not only apply to Purim, but to the year round.
It applies to the way we do business and in politics.
Just because we may have a right to do something doesn’t make it right.
I expect the Gadolhador and his sycophants to equally protest the latest declaration of several Dati Leumi rabbis (all of which are reported right here On YWN) calling for DL girls not to be drafted into the army. And Rabbi Lior’s call to refuse service in mixed units. Is this not “due to their own agenda?” Are they not “denigrating” the holy army when they tell girls not to be drafted into it? Sounds a lot worse than dressing up a kid as an IDF soldier — or not dressing as such. Or is there a double standard here? Dati Leumi rabbis — are allowed to say what they consider correct. Chareidi rabbonim — keep quiet or the Gadol might have a bullet for you… (his own words)!
There’s nothing wrong with kids either dressing in a soldier costume or not dressing in one. The problem is when people tell them how to dress.