The mask covers what we can’t simply show in our ordinary lives, something that comes from a world beyond ourselves. Our public persona is taking its Sabbath break, playing hide-and-go-seek with our parent God, who can find us under any disguise.  The first “mask” was made by Adam and Eve, right after they sinned. “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths…and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” (Gen. 3:6-8)

Because of the fall in the Garden, because of the serpent, our direct approach to God has become a windy and vulnerable path — the way of the snake. “For he is like one who is inwardly calculating. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” (Proverbs 23:7)  In another place, Proverbs further describes this “new” human condition: “Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;” (Proverbs 26:24)

We may be able to fool people, but we cannot fool God. When it was time to replace King Saul, God conveyed to Samuel not to look at a candidate’s appearance or on the height of his stature, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)

What does it mean to look on the heart? We close our eyes for the Shema prayer so we can listen better. We wear costumes and mask our body in order to hear our hearts better. When we hide from others, it’s a good time to find ourselves.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, bringing the two tables of the testimony, he was beaming!  “And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face sent forth beams; and Moses put the veil back upon his face…” (Exodus 34:35).

Purim is like the Jewish “Carnival.” Whether it is celebrated in Brazil, or as Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the carnival (meaning: without meat) marks the beginning of Lent, the period before Easter in which Christians traditionally abstain from the consumption of meat and poultry. It is to the Christians one more “Fat Tuesday” (Mardi Gras) before removing the spiritual fatty layers they’ve amassed during the year starting Ash Wednesday. Jews, too, celebrate with masks before we start the Passover period, beginning a day after Purim and a month before Passover. That’s when we begin shedding our layers and exposing our vulnerabilities.

The Shabbat before Purim is Shabbat Zachor — a Shabbat of Remembrance. We are commanded to remind ourselves and “never forget” what Amalek did to us when we were vulnerable as we left Egypt. When we shed our protective layers, we have to remember that there may be an Amalek, who would like to take advantage of our weakness, however temporary.  We have to remember that when we bow down to God, at that moment we surrender. Attacking someone at that moment makes them an Amalek. The shooter in Christchurch, New Zealand, was an Amalek, taking the lives of 50 worshippers at their most vulnerable time.

It’s important to meet with other faiths all the time, not only after these events. This year, when we put on our masks, let’s remember to unveil our hearts.

Chag Purim Sameach!

—Rabbi Gadi Capela