Last Shabbat I spoke about my recent trip to Barcelona and Girona and the dearth of a Jewish presence there. While there are Jewish museums, some archeological sites, and gravestones, the living Jewish community of Spain had to be reconstructed beginning in the 19th century when Jews were allowed to return after their expulsion. There is very little evidence today of a Jewish presence going back to medieval times.
It’s understandable why there is little to see of the Jews of the Middle Ages in Spain. 1492, when the Jews were expelled, was a long time ago. A lot of erasure can happen over many centuries. Of course, Sephardic culture continued to develop as Spanish exiles moved to the Ottoman Empire, other parts of Western Europe, and North Africa, among others.
I did happen upon what I thought was some Jewish evidence in an unlikely place. On a tour of the FC Barcelona Museum, dedicated to the city’s beloved and successful professional soccer club, I came upon a display case with an item that I recognized immediately: a Purim grogger. The description indicated that the noisemaker was used during games in the 1950s.
One might think that this noisemaker is evidence of Jewish influence in Barcelona, that perhaps some crypto-Jews introduced their groggers into their rabid support for the team. In truth, this type of device is called a ratchet or a cog rattle and is used in many circumstances. It can be an instrument for a musical performance, a warning device, and even a substitute for bells in the Christian tradition.
The ratchet was popular in British soccer matches up to the 1970s as a way to increase crowd noise. Presumably, the device made its way to Spain during the same time period. Rather than serve as an example of Jewish influence on mainstream culture, the grogger is an example of Jews adopting a piece of technology that was widely available and converting it into a ritual use. Eventually, a general use item became associated exclusively with the Jewish holiday, at least in my mind.
As we prepare for Purim, it’s important to remember the connections between that holiday and other non-Jewish celebrations. Purim is a time for throwing off the tight strictures of decorum and etiquette, a sanctioned bit of topsy-turvy fun. Halloween, Holi, and Mardi gras are examples from other traditions, and one could say that a soccer match, or any sporting event, serves much the same purpose.
At a game, as on Purim, we gather together to make a lot of noise and boo our enemy. We feel the catharsis of our collective hatred of the other side. In the best of situations, we are able to channel our emotions in a constructive way, but sometimes things get out of hand. The rabbis worried about the excesses of Purim, and soccer hooligans often get out of control. The soccer ratchet was eventually banned because it was being used as a weapon by some fans. Everyone needs the chance to let off some steam, as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.
Rabbi Adler's Study 