Shabbat Greetings
As someone who enjoys exploring the connections between the Jewish holidays and weekly Torah readings, I’ve always found it interesting that Purim falls so close to the Torah portion of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35). The contrast between the festive, lighthearted atmosphere of Purim and the serious, somber themes of this week’s Torah reading has always puzzled me.
Purim is a time for joy, feasting, and even getting slightly inebriated, while Ki Tisa focuses on matters like the half-shekel donation for the Temple, the importance of keeping the Sabbath, and the grave consequences for those who violate it. The portion also recounts the Israelites’ sin of worshiping the Golden Calf, Moses’ anger, and the ensuing violence against the people.
This stark contrast between Purim’s carefree mood and the serious tone of Ki Tisa always left me searching for a deeper connection between the two. This year, inspired by the spirit of Purim and a little whiskey, I discovered an insightful link: the theme of masks and the facades we present to the world.
On Purim, dressing up is a central part of the celebration, especially for children who often dress as characters like Mordechai, Haman, Esther, or Vashti. Adults also wear costumes, with many people wearing masks or exaggerated outfits. The idea is to re-enact the events of Purim, where the Jews’ fortunes were reversed and their enemies were defeated. On this day, we pretend to be the opposite of what we are.
However, in a sense, we all wear masks year-round. We often hide our true selves, presenting a facade to others in public—whether it’s to gain approval, admiration, or success. We pretend to be something we’re not, and in doing so, we become impostors – a problem social scientists often associate with modern life.
The true lesson about masks comes from Moses himself. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets, he unknowingly had a radiant glow on his face. The people were afraid to approach him, so Moses covered his face with a veil. He only removed the veil when interacting with God or teaching the people directly.
Moses knew that masks should only be worn in certain situations. When speaking to God or teaching others, one must be authentic and transparent, with no facades. The veil Moses wore was meant to shield the people from his overwhelming radiance, not to hide his true self.
This idea of balancing authenticity and humility is illustrated by a rabbinic teaching: the rabbis suggest that when we are fulfilling a divine purpose, we must shed our masks and act with full authenticity. However, when the situation doesn’t require such boldness, we should retreat into modesty and privacy, using veils or disguises when necessary.
The lesson from both Purim and the portion is clear: While wearing masks and facades can be a part of life, they should be limited to occasions like Purim. In our interactions with others and with God, we must strive to be authentic, shedding our masks and embracing true self-expression.
SHABBAT SHALOM