Holidays

How many times do we as women hide our true nature or opinions to protect ourselves and be acceptable to the world? What do we sacrifice by these deceptions? Sometimes we feel it is desirable to keep a low profile as Jews as well, if we sense we are in a hostile environment. At what cost? Is there any gain?

At this time of year, growth and life are hidden beneath the frozen earth. Just beneath the surface lies vibrant energy and vitality waiting to burst forth when conditions are right and it is safe. Purim is a good time to contemplate what is hidden from view and why we hide our true natures. Just as it is a fun aspect of Purim to wear costumes or masks, we need to know when it is safe to take them off.

In this ritual we will go around the circle two times. The first time around the circle, each person should begin by saying:

I sometimes have to hide my true nature from the world because ... (complete the sentence).

The exact words themselves are not important. What is important is that we look inside and see how we often turn ourselves inside out, hide like Esther, or change ourselves, for all kinds of reasons. Within a Rosh Chodesh group, perhaps we can feel safe to admit our protective secretiveness (If you feel you are that rarity, a totally unmasked person, you can say: "I can be totally myself because ...").

Please keep it simple, short and spontaneous – one statement is all you need say. You can address the statement from any viewpoint that you wish.

The second time around the circle, we proclaim one thing that we would like to tell the world about ourselves. Each participant should begin by saying: If I could tell the world one thing about myself, I would say ... (complete the phrase).

When everyone has had a turn to participate, the ritual is over. The entire group then recites: "So be it."