The Autistic Parashah | Acharei Mot
This week’s Torah portion, Acharei Mot, brings us into the solemn descriptions of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year, focusing on rituals that emphasize purification, atonement, and introspection. For autistic humans, these themes resonate on a deeply personal level, especially concerning the experience of masking—adapting behaviors to fit into a predominantly neurotypical world. This practice, while providing temporary safety, often results in significant emotional and psychological costs.
Masking is not merely a superficial change but involves suppressing one's inherent ways of experiencing and interacting with the world. This might include stifling natural stimming behaviors, forcing eye contact, or mimicking social interactions that do not feel instinctive. Over time, these adjustments can lead to burnout, identity confusion, and a profound sense of disconnection from one’s own self.
The rituals of Yom Kippur, detailed in Acharei Mot, involve confession, fasting, and a turning inward that mirrors the journey of unmasking. On Yom Kippur, we are encouraged to strip away all facades, to stand bare in our human frailties and seek renewal. Similarly, the process of unmasking for autistic humans is a spiritual and emotional unburdening, shedding the layers of pretense to reconnect with one's authentic self.
The Torah teaches us that atonement is not solely about turning away from past misdeeds but also about realigning with our truest selves. The word for atonement in Hebrew, Teshuvah, also means returning For autistic humans, continuous masking can feel like a deviation from our truest selves, which, while providing momentary ease or acceptance, diverges from the essence of who they are. The emotional toll of masking—feeling unseen, misunderstood, or having to 'perform' social acceptability—can be likened to the spiritual dissonance felt when one's actions are not aligned with inner truth.
Acharei Mot not only speaks to individual purification but also underscores the role of community in supporting personal transformation. In the autistic experience, community acceptance plays a crucial role in enabling unmasking. When autistic humans are supported in environments that appreciate neurodiversity, where natural behaviors and modes of communication are respected and valued, the need for masking can significantly decrease.
As we reflect on Acharei Mot, it becomes a call to action for more inclusive, understanding, and accommodating practices within all spheres of society. It challenges us to consider how we, as a community, can better support the neurodivergent among us. Creating spaces that do not merely tolerate but celebrate differences allows for a fuller expression of the divine spark within each person.
Acharei Mot offers a framework for all of us, not just autistics, to reflect on the masks we wear and the authenticity we might suppress in the pursuit of societal acceptance. For autistic humans, embracing unmasking can be a journey back to self—a journey as sacred and renewing as the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. Let this portion inspire us to foster kindness, patience, and acceptance, enriching our communities by enabling every individual to thrive in their authentic existence.
By embracing these teachings, we not only honor the spirit of Yom Kippur but also advance a more inclusive and compassionate world where every form of neurodivergence and disability is acknowledged as a unique reflection of the divine.
