Kiddush Hashem Reminders for Purim & Purim Links

Thank you so much to N.E.J, who forwarded to me the following:

Kiddush Hashem Reminders for Purim:
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Please help publicize these important messages from the Agudah and Torah Umesorah. 

Kiddush Hashem and chillul Hashem sensitivities are fully applicable on Purim:
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• One cannot become drunk on Purim if doing so will cause one to make a chillul Hashem by alcohol-induced inappropriate behavior.  
• Be fully aware of your surroundings - whether you are driving, playing music at night, or drinking. Remember that there are neighbors watching.
• Perhaps place some mishloach manos at your non-Jewish neighbors’ doors with a note. This generous gesture goes a long way to minimize any hard feelings and enhance darchei shalom.
• Know where your children are. Ensure that a Rebbe/adult joins them in their car if they are collecting.
• Participate in the incredible learning programs such as Yeshivas Mordechai Hatzadik.
• Be sensitive in your choice of costumes. Exercise great care to avoid any take off on other cultures, because they may be considered mockery and lead to a reaction of open hostility. 
• Remember that all of our actions can easily be publicized in mere seconds to thousands around the world.

Let's assure that this year's simchas purim will be a true Kiddush Hashem!

Have a freilichin Purim!
Rabbi Shraga Freedman

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Just in the interest of not being a holier-than-thou hypocrite regarding costumes of other cultures: I confess that in the past, my children have dressed up as indianim and British soldiers in the style of the Queen's Guard.

I admit I bought those costumes without any further consideration than my child's own enjoyment.

Also, I think the Japanese-lady costumes for little girls are adorable.

But I live in Eretz Yisrael.

If I lived in the USA, I probably would avoid those costumes for the reasons stated above. (Sadly, hostile reactions are a very real concern nowadays.)

(Although I suspect that no Brits, including the Queen's Guard themselves, would be offended by the sight of a little Jewish kid prancing around in a polyester imitation. So probably "British soldier" is an okay extra-cultural choice.)

And I think the Yemenite-Jewess costume for little girls are absolutely lovely.

Yet I have personally seen Moroccan Jewish girls dressed in the Yemenite-Jewess costumes.

Hopefully, no Yemenites were offended by non-Yemenite little girls dressing like them. In fact, I'm sure they weren't offended one bit. I hope.

And yes, in all seriousness...WATCH OVER YOUR CHILDREN!!!

B'ezrat Hashem, may we all have a safe & joyous Purim full of light & daat.

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Links to Enhance Your Purim Experience

Here are Purim links to lectures from Rav Itamar Schwartz in English, Hebrew, and Spanish:
https://bilvavi.net/sugya/purim.droshos

Purim Q&A from Rav Itamar Schwartz:
http://www.bilvavi.net/files/Bilvavi.Purim.QandA.pdf

Rav Avigdor Miller on Purim:
http://www.myrtlerising.com/blog/purim-with-rav-miller-fun-reading

Here is a post on the segulah for the fast of Ta'anit Esther:
www.myrtlerising.com/blog/a-special-segulah-for-the-fast-of-esther

Here are past Purim posts of this blog:
www.myrtlerising.com/blog/category/purim

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​A Q&A Excerpt from Bitachon Weekly: "With all the Jews in Ukraine that are in danger, what does the Rav suggest we Yidden should be doing and thinking at this time?"

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