Happiness Breaks Boundaries

The festival of Purim is the happiest day in the Jewish calendar. One of the traditions of the day is dressing up and wearing masks. What's the connection between happiness and wearing masks?

Our sages tell us that "Happiness breaks boundaries."

The happiness achieved for self pleasure, like wild parties where there is little purpose or focus, only breaks the boundaries of self discipline and self respect. That is not true happiness.

True happiness is one with purpose and meaning. Not merely external pleasure but rather the celebration of meaningful milestones, spiritual growth or major accomplishments. This happiness is a true and lasting one.

The boundaries that are broken when we have this true happiness are the boundaries and barriers that separate us one from another. When we experience true happiness, it allows us to develop a different perspective on ourselves and other people. We stop judging others by their external behavior-the things they say or do-and we begin to appreciate their inner soul. We begin to understand that the annoying personality traits that separate us are only superficial masks that conceal the true them. Beneath the mask there is a pristine soul that makes him/her a special human being. The energy of our happiness allows us to break through that mask and see what is beneath.

On Purim, we dress up as a reminder that our outward appearance and behavior is a mask, a cover up. And so the celebration of Purim gives us the ability to look behind one's mask and discover the real person.