Ruby-crowned Kinglet : Characters Hidden and Revealed

This is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Their constant flitting makes them a tremendous challenge to photo well. Deliberately, this photo depicts just the smallest glimpse of the red feathers atop his head which name the species. When those red feathers are on full display, there’s no mistaking this bird. But this photo offers just a hint; the full extent of his crown is hidden away, almost as if he wanted to keep his true identity concealed.

The Talmud teaches that there are three milieus when we learn a person’s true character: when drinking, during financial dealings, and when angry. And some say in laughter. The Sages recognized these as periods of lowered inhibitions and often overpowering temptation. The “real self” comes out, putting aside our constructed personae. Envision: our conscious social performances are a Maginot Line which gets circumnavigated when we lower our guard.

The Talmud’s seemingly off-hand analysis in Tractate Eruvin (65b) seems at first a misplaced aside in extensive geographic discussions. Perhaps, though, the halakhot of borders and limits equally, albeit metaphorically, inform the extent and limitations of our own presented characters. How liberally do we present our true selves? When do we hide behind the walls, and when do we throw the gates wide open? The Kinglet’s display is animal instinct. We’re blessed with the opportunity to share our genuine selves - if we so choose.