Dear Matzav Inbox,
It is beyond time that we address the disturbing trend of people – both children and adults – using fireworks on Purim. This is NOT a minhag tied to the Yom Tov, nor does it have any place in the celebration of Purim. Fireworks are an absolute sakanah, a danger to both those using them and those around them.
What is even more alarming is that this reckless behavior often takes place at night, disturbing the peace of those who are trying to sleep. Families, the elderly, those with young children, and even people with health concerns are being woken up in the middle of the night, causing unnecessary stress, anxiety, and harm. This behavior is a direct affront to the spirit of Purim.
Above I am sharing a picture of a Purim fireworks injury. This is Purim? This is simcha?
We need to make it clear: Purim is about celebrating properly, not terrifying people with loud explosions in the streets. Fireworks should not be part of Purim for anyone. If we truly care about the well-being of our kehillos, it is crucial that we stop this dangerous practice once and for all.
Sincerely,
Burnt
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Thirty five years it was considered very bummy to light fireworks on Purim. And nobody lit them in the days before Purim started. Today I’m hearing for the past two weeks in my very yeshivish neighborhood.
Not as bad as having parents that own smartphones. Vinahapoichu.
1) To state the obvious, the letter writer is 100% correct.
2) B”H the injured person in the photo has two good eyes. It’s frightening to see how close a pretty serious-looking injury came to c’v taking an eye out.
Shlimazel. When people are shooting fireworks, stay far away.
One important thing missing from this post. If anyone sees or hears fireworks being used, call the emergency lines. This might be Hatzoloh, chas veshalom, in case of an injury. It might be 911 for police and fire, or 311 to report the noise. It is NOT mesira to make any of these calls. Quite the opposite – it is a mitzvah.
The entire concept of “Purim shtick” is actually foreign to Purim, and none of it is a mitzvah. It needs to be stopped at every level. I am aware of quite frum people that were actually selling these materials to our children. Sellers need to be stopped, and every means, including police reports, need to be recongized as mitzvbos.
doesn’t happen in my community
The zera shimshon on megilas Esther brings down the minhag of KIDS playing with firecrackers on Purim based on kabalah
If your going to say ”it says it here” please provide a page number, otherwise its not a valid source, i have zera shimshon on megilas esther and i didnt find it any were.
FURTHERMORE Harav Chaim Palagi in the pesicha of his sefer ”moed lekol chai” strictly forbids the use of gun powder as he says its a tool the goyim use and if one does use things that have gun powder in it he is Oyver the prohibition of ”do not do like the goyim” (shemos 23, 24). see further in the sefer ”Purim btzion” by Hagoan Harav Ben-Tzion Mutzafi shlita, page 248, were issues a stern warning on those who use such fireworks or snappers etc. and brings many sources on why its forbidden.
A letter last year showing up on yeshiva world from leading gedolim in Eretz Yisroel on these fire works, also state its forbidden.
If your going to say ”it says it here” please provide a page number, otherwise its not a valid source, i have zera shimshon on megilas esther and i didnt find it any were.
FURTHERMORE Harav Chaim Palagi in the pesicha of his sefer ”moed lekol chai” strictly forbids the use of gun powder as he says its a tool the goyim use and if one does use things that have gun powder in it he is Oyver the prohibition of ”do not do like the goyim” (shemos 23, 24). see further in the sefer ”Purim btzion” by Hagoan Harav Ben-Tzion Mutzafi shlita, page 248, were issues a stern warning on those who use such fireworks or snappers etc. and brings many sources on why its forbidden.
A letter last year showing up on yeshiva world from leading gedolim in Eretz Yisroel on these fire works, also state its forbidden.
Needless to say, the writer makes very important points, and is to be commended for raising them
I do want to say that a great amount of blame goes to “frum” stores that sell such material, which is illegal in NYC, and perhaps elsewhere as well. They should face serious consequences for their irresponsible behavior.
Why is this all such a problem? According the this author, fireworks should be assur every single day of the year for all of the above stated reasons….
Let’s cut to the chase – the real reason this is a terrible thing is BECAUSE PEOPE ARE DRUNK WHILE SHOOTING OFF INCENDIARY DEVICES!
That is patently untrue. You miss the point. Our community has devolved into perceiving Purim as a time when “anything goes”. When assur becomes muttar. That’s why some kids smoke. So a day of simcha and extreme kedusha lifts issurim? This attitude is treif like chazzer. And it exists without the influence of alcohol. It also explains the stupid drinking that is not part of simcha of kedushas Purim. Don’t blame the alcohol. It’s the rotten attitude that makes Purim into a dvar aveiroh, exactly what Amalek wants.
Dear Voice,
Maybe you are right. I live in Chelm, which is out of town. We don’t have this issue. You should come visit us for Purim – mamash beautiful!
Rashi and the Aruchim in Sanhedrin bring the minhag of children jumping over fires on Purim.
That is different.
Apples and oranges are both fruit, but don’t compare apples to oranges.
Fires are not explosions with loud noises.
Stationary fires are not thrown.
Etc.
This does not happen in out of town MO places.
Okay, so I’ll go off the derech in order to level the playing field.