| Next week, we will be celebrating the festival of masks, Purim. In 2020, Purim was the last festival we celebrated in person. Since then, we have not taken off our masks. In fact, we have worn many masks, of different colours, fabrics, and messages. We have tried to express ourselves, through our masks, even though we are hidden. Esther hides behind a metaphoric mask of silence about her Jewish identity and thus, her true self. One of the masks I wear regularly is our CMT mask, which clearly identifies me as a Jew; so although my face is hidden, my Jewishness is clear for all to see.
In an effort to protect herself, Esther keeps her inner self, family and past from view. Since last Purim, we have hidden our external selves behind PPE, and inside our homes. We have masked our smiles, and half our faces,in order to protect each other. Esther hid from others from the beginning almost to the end of her story; we have been doing the same. Ironically, however, we have also revealed our normally hidden rooms for all to see--our kitchens, bedrooms, basements and more.
We don’t know what happens to Esther after she steps out into the open. Her story ends. We don’t know what will happen when we step out into the open, either. But we can write the rest of our story, and the future of our communities, country and global village. Dr. Norman Cohen wrote, speaking about Purim, ‘In a deeper way, this Jewish carnival experience allows us to challenge the inevitability of things as they are, inherited identities and fates. And in so doing, Purim provides us with the hope that the garments we put on that seem only to mask our present realities can reveal the deep-seated consciousness of our potential for change, our ability to bring happiness and fulfillments to our lives.’
When we emerge from our hiddenness and put our masks down, who will we be? How will we have changed? And how will we change our world, now that we know that we can when we need to?
On this Shabbat Zachor, as we remember all the masks we have worn since last Purim, may we also find Esther’s strength and determination within us.
May this Shabbat bring you hope and joy. |
