Cedar Waxwings : Purim’s Joy

These are Cedar Waxwings. To watch them is purest joy. Their dabs of colors glinting in the sun, so vivid and intense. Their whistling calls and rushing wingbeats, drowning out every other sound. Their frolicking splashing and drinking, total abandon and glee. It’s impossible to watch these celebrations and not want to join in the revels. Something in the human psyche deeply longs to “fly like a bird” and never more than when watching a scene like this. And their little black masks….

Purim’s four mitzvot are joyfully “horizontal:” we give tzedakah to the poor, gifts to friends, we feast, and we gather in community to hear the whole Megillah. Traditionally we drink beyond our normal limits, we dance and dance and dance some more, and we triumphantly embrace the (semi-joking) narrative of every Jewish holiday, “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat!” And we mask ourselves. Even our most sage, sober, and serious dress up in ridiculous costumes, laughing lovingly at others and inviting the same to themselves. Purim’s concealment creates new openness.

Uniquely in Tanakh, the Name never appears in the Book of Esther. HaShem masks the “strong hand and outstretched arm,” thereby creating space for human cunning and political savvy to save the community - horizontally. Similarly, masking our typically-presented selves unveils our other equally real dimensions. Purim’s masking, hiding some elements of our character, gives permission to both ourselves and others to explore other facets. Like the Waxwings, we gather in joyful community, donning masks to explore how we can fly - together.