Unmasking the Minhagim of Purim

Purim is a time when our shuls seemingly turn  inside out. Instead of everyone sitting silent   in their Shabbos finest, you might find people  making noise or wearing outrageous costumes.   Let’s take a deeper look and try to unmask  the deeper meanings behind these minhagim. 1. Machatzis Hashekel When davening Mincha on Taanis Esther, you might  notice a plate on the bima with large silver coins   taped together. These are to remember the mitzvah  of Machatzis Hashekel (the half shekel given   for the communal karbanos). The Gemara teaches us  that it was through this mitzvah that we merited   our salvation in the Purim story. Since we can’t  bring karbanos today, we have a minhag to give   a half-shekel to tzedakah as a remembrance of  this mitzvah right before we read the megillah. 2. Dressing Up Purim is the only time   of year you might find your shul full of clowns,  princesses, and superheroes. There are many given   reasons why some wear costumes on Purim. Perhaps  the most popular is that Hashem’s name does not   appear in the Megillah. Since he remains hidden  in the story, we hide our faces behind masks.  The Megillah places an important emphasis on  clothes. For example, Mordechai wears sackcloth   to mourn and Achashverosh’s finery when Haman  parades him through the street. Some suggest   the custom to wear royal-themed costumes reminds  us that every person has the potential to rise   to greatness, like Mordechai and Esther. Another explanation revolves around the   mitzvah to give tzedakah to anyone who asks  on Purim. Wearing costumes allows people to   ask for what they need while concealing  their identities to avoid embarrassment. 3. Making Noise The custom to make noise whenever Haman   is mentioned during Megillah is exciting for young  and old. The minhag finds its origin in a Midrash   which teaches us that we are required to curse the  name of a wicked person. Another reason for this   practice is that it helps children stay awake and  attentive during Megillah reading, in anticipation   of the rare chance to make noise in shul. While today, there is nothing more iconic   than the gragger, some still fulfill this  custom with older traditions, including   banging on table tops and stomping their feet. 54 Haman’s can be a lot, which is why some   shuls have the custom to only make noise  after certain mentions of Haman’s name. From masking up to shaking graggers, the  minhagim of Purim turn the usual on its head,   enhancing the day and its mitzvot in  ways that are impossible not to notice.