Q) The Divrei Mordechai on hilchot Purim states that one should wear Shabbos clothing or other refined clothing on Purim. One should not wear weekday clothing since this day was created by Hashem for happiness and rejoicing. There is no mention of the custom recorded by the Rema of dressing-up in costumes. Did Harav Mordechai Eliyahu disagree with the custom of wearing costumes on Purim, or was it simply not his minhag?
A) Although the Rav did not bring this custom in Divrei Mordechai, it is mentioned elsewhere:
In Kol Zofaich (vol 303) the Rav zt”l brings several reasons for the custom of dressing-up on Purim:
Some customarily wear masks and dress-up on Purim, in reminiscent of what is written in the Megilla (7,8), “And the face of Haman was covered.” However, one should not disguise himself as Haman or other wicked people who want to destroy and kill us etc. Rather, one should dress up as an important personality, such as Moses or Aaron.
The main reason they used to dress up is that on Purim charity is given to all who request, and paupers would cover their faces in order to avoid embarrassment.
In Kol Zofaich 370, the Rav Zt”l writes:
Some are lenient and allow men to wear women’s and vice versa, however this is not the custom.
The Mishna Berura (596:30) writes in the name of the Shl”a and Knesses Hagedolah that one must distance themselves from such a practice.
The custom of Purim costumes
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