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Ask the average Jewish five-year old what their favorite holiday is, they will most likely say Purim. Ask the average ten-year old what their favorite part of Purim is; they will most likely say dressing up in costumes. Ask the average 22 year old why we dress up on Purim, and they will most likely say, "I don’t know."

Purim is the carnival holiday. People all over the world celebrate Purim by drinking, dancing, and dressing up. Many communities have actual carnivals with rides, games, and cotton candy! Some even have costume judging contests. But where did this costume custom come from?

History tells us that it all started in 16th century Italy. The non-Jews in Italy would throw masquerade balls in the springtime…right around the time Purim would fall in the Jewish calendar. Italian Jews picked up on this tradition and had their own masquerades. Was this just to fit in with their non-Jewish neighbors, or are there other reasons for today’s tradition?

There are four mitzvot connected to Purim: Reading Megilat Esther, rejoicing in the holiday, sending mishloach manot, and giving gifts to the poor. Although none of these mention anything about dressing up, there is a connection. Many Jews used to go around the town on Purim to give gifts to the poor. In order to avoid embarrassment for the poor Jew, the gift giver would wear a mask so that the poor would not recognize him on any other day.

The source of these mitzvot is the Gemara (Talmud). The Gemara gives us every little detail about Purim; including the very well-known one of "celebrating" until you don’t know the difference between "cursed is Haman" and "blessed is Mordechai." There is nothing that mandates dressing up.

Looking in the Megilah itself, you will find different mentions of "costumes"; better worded as concealment. Purim is called the "holiday in hiding." Hashem hides throughout the whole Megilah –His name is never mentioned. Esther hides her Jewish identity from King Achashverosh. Esther’s name is rooted in the Hebrew word for "to hide."

Even the miracle of Purim is hidden in the last minute turnover of events. "’And I will surely hide ("haster astir panai") My face from you on that day. . . ‘ (Deuteronomy 31:18)." As it says in the Megilah, there are a few instances of costume wearing, or not wearing. When Vashti refused to come out to the party wearing only her crown, she was sentenced to death. After the Jews had been saved, Mordechai paraded the town in royal gowns (dressed up). When the King called for all the women of Shushan, Esther disguised her true identity by dressing like a non-Jew. Here too we have influences as to why we disguise ourselves on Purim.

Along with this first instance of Esther hiding behind her dress, she continued to hide her faith from the King throughout a large part of her marriage. When she finally exposed her true identity to the King, she did not get dressed up to look her best. She knew that by going into his chambers without being summoned she was risking her life. She also had been advised to look her best. Instead of getting dressed up in the royal gowns, she fasted for three days and dressed as a commoner. She knew that the king was only a tool to achieve salvation for her people, and that G-d was in control.

Esther knew that her faith in Hashem would save her people. It was her spiritual belief, her soul that brought her close to G-d and her people to be saved. We learn from Esther that our outside appearance is not most important. So whatever the reason we wear costumes – we learn a much deeper message.