Masks have been very much on my mind these days, specifically Purim masks. Why do we wear them?
I was thinking that they are perhaps a manifestation of the concept of מה הוא אף אתה, that we are meant to emulate Hashem. God created the world through the process of Tzimtzum, by constricting and concealing Himself. Had He not done so we would never have had the opportunity of finding Him as His presence would be manifest at all times. Tzimtzum was His gift to us so that we could find Him. On Purim we emulate Hashem by concealing ourselves as well.
However, this does not fully explain the mask. After all, our true essence is always masked behind the facade of the face that we show the world every day. Our soul, our essence, is hidden within and we allow others to experience only a small portion of who we truly are. Why would it be necessary on Purim to cover up even more to emulate Hashem if we emulate Him in this manner each and every day? And there is an irony. After the covering of the mask we are told to get drunk. נכנס יין יצא סוד. Getting drunk is not a state in which you will do a good job of hiding your essence. Quite the contrary, you are pretty much guaranteed to show your true self when inebriated.
Perhaps the answer is that while it is true that in this world (עולם מלשון העלם) God is always hidden, at the time of Purim he was in a state of ואנכי הסתר אסתיר, double concealment. Consequently, to emulate Him, when Purim begins we, too, enter into a state of double concealment, הסתרה שבתוך הסתרה, just as He is.
The real trick to understanding the Purim story is realizing that there were no earth shattering miracles that occurred. It was the most subtle of miracles. It was the ability to find the splendor of God in the darkest places that appeared to be most devoid of Him. Finding Him there brings forth the greatest light, a light much greater than that which could be achieved in the absence of the double concealment. ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה. So while we begin Purim in a state of double concealment it isn't supposed to end that way. At the end, the greatest revelation should take place, the opportunity to be yourself and share yourself.
This is as Rebbe Nachman says that the greatest secrets are the ones found in the הסתרה בהסתרה, in the places of greatest hiddeness. That is where you can find yourself.
Perhaps the answer is that while it is true that in this world (עולם מלשון העלם) God is always hidden, at the time of Purim he was in a state of ואנכי הסתר אסתיר, double concealment. Consequently, to emulate Him, when Purim begins we, too, enter into a state of double concealment, הסתרה שבתוך הסתרה, just as He is.
The real trick to understanding the Purim story is realizing that there were no earth shattering miracles that occurred. It was the most subtle of miracles. It was the ability to find the splendor of God in the darkest places that appeared to be most devoid of Him. Finding Him there brings forth the greatest light, a light much greater than that which could be achieved in the absence of the double concealment. ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה. So while we begin Purim in a state of double concealment it isn't supposed to end that way. At the end, the greatest revelation should take place, the opportunity to be yourself and share yourself.
This is as Rebbe Nachman says that the greatest secrets are the ones found in the הסתרה בהסתרה, in the places of greatest hiddeness. That is where you can find yourself.
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