February 27, 2006 (Rabbi Blum)
What is Behind the Mask?
Now that we entered the Hebrew month Adar, everyone is getting ready for the most joyous holiday of Purim. One of the customs of Purim is that children, and some adventurous adults too, traditionally dress up. The reason for the masquerade reminds us of G-d's hand in the Purim miracle, which was disguised by natural events. The Book of Esther (Megilah) that recounts the story of Purim has no mention of the name of G-d even once. In fact, the translation of the Hebrew word Esther is "concealment," and the message of Purim is that sometimes the physical reality that we see conceals something different hidden within. You may therefore be looking at a loud and scary looking monster on Purim, which is only a mask covering your shy, sweet little daughter.
As parents and educators, this is a notion that has to be at the forefront of our relationship with our children. On the outside they may all look different and behave in different ways, however, on the inside they are all beautiful souls. These children are truly delicate and pure in nature and devoid of all desires for trouble and mischief, waiting for us to allow them to grow as human beings who will reflect that purity in thought, speech and action.
We read this week the Parsha of Terumah, which describes the construction of the first sanctuary in the desert and the same notion is expressed. The only vessel that was placed in the most inner chamber of the sanctuary was the Holy Ark. On its cover two cherubs (keruvim) of gold were hammered out and with their wings spread upward they sheltered over the Holy Ark facing one another.
According to Rashi, the most famous biblical commentator these angelic figures had faces that looked like young children. This interpretation, interestingly, was adopted by the English language, where "cherub" is a beautiful, rosy-cheeked child. Thus, atop the golden lid covering the Holy Ark stood two winged golden children and between their faces the voice of G-d reverberated to Moses.
The Keruvin remind us that in the most inner chamber of every person is a beautiful, angelic and graceful human being, in whose soul the voice of G-d can be heard. As parents and teachers, G-d gives each of us Keruvim , pure, majestic, holy and angelic children, students and pupils. It is our choice whether we will allow these kinderlach to become agents of selfishness and greed, or we will cultivate and polish their inner potential, empowering them to become sources of light and goodness to the world around them and reflect the inner beauty they contain.
The holiday of Purim is a time when we try to get beyond the mask and get in touch with who our children really are. So this Purim as you watch your students/children all dressed up, realize that deep inside, behind the costumes that they wear, is something pure and beautiful. This outlook will help us be successful at the task that G-d has entrusted with our childen and students. Shabbat shalom and Happy Purim.
Now that we entered the Hebrew month Adar, everyone is getting ready for the most joyous holiday of Purim. One of the customs of Purim is that children, and some adventurous adults too, traditionally dress up. The reason for the masquerade reminds us of G-d's hand in the Purim miracle, which was disguised by natural events. The Book of Esther (Megilah) that recounts the story of Purim has no mention of the name of G-d even once. In fact, the translation of the Hebrew word Esther is "concealment," and the message of Purim is that sometimes the physical reality that we see conceals something different hidden within. You may therefore be looking at a loud and scary looking monster on Purim, which is only a mask covering your shy, sweet little daughter.
As parents and educators, this is a notion that has to be at the forefront of our relationship with our children. On the outside they may all look different and behave in different ways, however, on the inside they are all beautiful souls. These children are truly delicate and pure in nature and devoid of all desires for trouble and mischief, waiting for us to allow them to grow as human beings who will reflect that purity in thought, speech and action.
We read this week the Parsha of Terumah, which describes the construction of the first sanctuary in the desert and the same notion is expressed. The only vessel that was placed in the most inner chamber of the sanctuary was the Holy Ark. On its cover two cherubs (keruvim) of gold were hammered out and with their wings spread upward they sheltered over the Holy Ark facing one another.
According to Rashi, the most famous biblical commentator these angelic figures had faces that looked like young children. This interpretation, interestingly, was adopted by the English language, where "cherub" is a beautiful, rosy-cheeked child. Thus, atop the golden lid covering the Holy Ark stood two winged golden children and between their faces the voice of G-d reverberated to Moses.
The Keruvin remind us that in the most inner chamber of every person is a beautiful, angelic and graceful human being, in whose soul the voice of G-d can be heard. As parents and teachers, G-d gives each of us Keruvim , pure, majestic, holy and angelic children, students and pupils. It is our choice whether we will allow these kinderlach to become agents of selfishness and greed, or we will cultivate and polish their inner potential, empowering them to become sources of light and goodness to the world around them and reflect the inner beauty they contain.
The holiday of Purim is a time when we try to get beyond the mask and get in touch with who our children really are. So this Purim as you watch your students/children all dressed up, realize that deep inside, behind the costumes that they wear, is something pure and beautiful. This outlook will help us be successful at the task that G-d has entrusted with our childen and students. Shabbat shalom and Happy Purim.