A Little Purim Silliness

At the holiday of Purim, Jews are expected to listen to the telling Megilla (scroll) of Esther. Because this scroll is somewhat long, some communities would read an abbreviated version. Those who remained true to the commandment, and listened to the entire scroll, were said to have heard "the whole Megilla".

An integral part of this holiday is the ancient tradition of goofiness. Drunkenness is more than tolerated, it is almost required. Slapstick plays, or speils, are often mounted, and most of the audience shows up in drag, as a horses behind, such-like.

Purim 1998 happened to fall close to the end of tax season. Both Bonnie and David were still at work, and the holiday was fast approaching. Eager to participate in the festivities, David designed these costumes for Bonnie and himself.

All night long Bonnie worked to turn his rough concept into a reality, while he remained at work grinding out tax returns. All he gave her to go on was things like: "find a picture of a snail and the circle and arrow male symbol, and put them in the universal circle with a diagonal line `prohibited' symbol, translating into `no snail male'". Easy ... no problem ...

Eventually, he caught 2 hours sleep, while Bonnie plowed on, racing to a copy shop to have the T shirts made on the spot. Feeling guilty for the extra effort Bonnie had expended, he composed a skit for Email Female and Doctor Debit. But you might have to show up at the Purim Speil this year to finally see it.

Return to Our Lives Together