Baruch Hashem, many Jews in Eretz Yisrael dislike the inherently secular State, and continually find new ways of non-violently banishing its evil influence. And yes, monopolies are bad, including the IDF and so on. Not to mention, well, facts and history… And They got worse (a lot worse!), so we should absolutely up the ante. But does it follow that observant Jews should forbid cop/soldier costumes on Purim?
If child psychologists say children (boys?) have a deep-seated need to play with guns as cops and robbers etc., to feel more powerful than they are (“power-play to process feelings of vulnerability”, blah blah), who are we to disagree with the experts? Isn’t going against basic human nature in the false belief that human nature is “infinitely malleable” (nothing to lose but our socially created chains) a Leftist delusion?!
The only proof I saw adduced to this sudden war against children’s martial and constablery costumes on Purim is the Koztker Rebbe, quoted as saying the Cantonist decree started when Jews went to watch Napoleon’s parades and sang the songs.
But that was adults, not children! And it sounds a lot like מפני ששמחים ביום אידם. Also, enjoying war per se is problematic. Sefer Shmuel (I 17:28):
ויחר אף אליאב בדוד ויאמר למה זה ירדת… אני ידעתי את זדנך ואת רע לבבך כי למען ראות המלחמה ירדת
Mystically speaking, perhaps the opposite can be argued, like how Chassidic Purim shpiels try to use sympathetic magic against the regime…
Has anyone ever opposed such Purim children’s costumes traditionally?! What happened to the Jewish knack for inversion?
So while I appreciate the [somewhat browbeaten] change in children’s costumes, I suggest permitting fatigues and police uniforms for children, but let’s have the insignia read “Pinkerton” (hmmm)/Etzel/David Hamelech/נוער הגבעות instead of the American and Israeli State symbols and flags.
Venahafoch hu! The problem isn’t the weapons and uniforms; it’s who wields them, why, in whose service; Who, Whom.