Imagine Wearing a Mask for 5780 Years!
There once was a prince who had a perpetual frown on his face. His lips were always down in anger, sadness and displeasure — which repelled anyone who dared come close to him.*
The unhappy prince wanted to marry the princess but, she, of course, would not hear of it. One day, the prince had a special mask fitted just for him. It wore an expression of exquisite joy and pleasantry. Before long, the princess fell in love with him and they were scheduled to be married.
Now, the prince’s opponent who also wished to marry the princess decided to foil his plans. He waited till he found an opportunity in the public square where he abruptly ripped off the prince’s mask in the presence of his future wife! Lo and behold, what did they find? A wide and perpetual smiling face of utmost sincerity and charm!
Moral of the story: Wanna be happy? Just look it!
The Pirkei Avos (Ethics of our Fathers 3:12) tells us that we should receive every person with joy and a genuine good cheer.
Our face is “public property” and therefore, it doesn’t “belong” to us which is why we can’t see our own face without a reflection.
Hence, we must always maintain a pleasant expression, even and especially at home toward our loved ones.
In a time when wearing a mask is the norm, it bears to remember that we should nevertheless smile as our eyes continue to reflect our expression underneath.
Turned out, G-D, too, has been wearing a mask and for almost 6000 years!
The Hebrew word Olam shares the same root word as helem (secret or hidden). The Kabbalah explains, G-D restricts (tzim tzum) and covers His face from us until, or since the world is not yet a complete vessel to contain His light — imagine the sun shining ceaselessly and directly above our head. Surely, we would not be able to bear even for a moment.
In the time of our Redemption we are told, G-D will unmask and reveal Himself to us again. May it be Now!
Until then, EVERY GOOD that we THINK, SAY and DO bring us closer to our individual and collective mission here on earth.
*Parable told by the late Rebbetzin Esther Jungres of loving memory.