9/11, the 20-Year Yarzheit
September 10, 2021
20 years ago tomorrow, September 11, 2021, the world as we knew it changed forever. Millions of people went to sleep on September 10, 2001 with no thought of what horrors they would face on 9/11.
That night, thousands of people packed bags, backpacks, briefcases, purses they would not live to open. People spoke to, saw, slept with loved ones they would never see again – none ever imagined it would be for the last time.
This 20th yartzheit of 9/11 coincides with the Jewish Days of Awe – the intervening days between Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The rabbis teach that it is a time of self-reflection and reconnection through teshuva, tefillah, and tzedakah – commonly translated as repentance, prayer, and charity; concepts much more profound than their translations from Hebrew suggest.[1]
In this season, and on this Day of Remembrance, we are reminded to live each day to its fullest, to be kind and thoughtful, to reconnect with a power greater than ourselves, and to let those around us know they are important. Make every day and everyone count.
Teshuva, tefillah, and tzedakah help merit that we will be written and sealed in the Book of Life for a good year. Teshuvah allows us to return to our innermost selves. Tefilah helps us to form positive relationships with HaShem. Tzedakah teaches us to turn outwards and be righteous and just to others.
May the memories of all whose lives were destroyed by the events of 9/11 be as blessings.
May we all merit a year of blessing and success together.
[1] https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/2301372/jewish/Teshuvah-Tefillah-Tzedakah.htm
Leave a commentCOVID, Year 2 – Good Yuntif
September 1, 2021
COVID, Year 2. Time remains an ongoing blur and the challenges continue. With so much out of our control, being present and observing rituals helps keep us grounded. For me, that means celebrating the High Holy Day season.
To restore my sanity and honor my commitment to Torah, StarrParalegals will be closed as follows to observe and celebrate the High Holy Day season:
- Rosh Hashanah
- Closing Monday, September 6, 2021, at 1 pm ET
- Reopening Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 9 am ET
- Closing Monday, September 6, 2021, at 1 pm ET
- Yom Kippur
- Closing Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at NOON ET
- Reopening Friday, September 17, 2021, from 11 am to 3 pm ET
- Closing Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at NOON ET
- Sukkot
- Closing Monday, September 20, 2021, at 3 pm ET
- Reopening Thursday, September 23, 2021, at 9 am ET
- Closing Monday, September 20, 2021, at 3 pm ET
- Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
- Closing Monday, September 27, 2021, at 3 pm ET
- Reopening Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 9 am ET
- Closing Monday, September 27, 2021, at 3 pm ET
May this be a year of health, peace, prosperity, and joy.
Shana tova u’metuka!
Pamela
#RBGForever
September 21, 2020
A Sweet & HEALTHY New Year
September 17, 2020In the Year of COVID, the days run together like an endless, blurred reel. Many of us are working from home, home-schooling, and facing other challenges. I have temporarily relocated to Houston to be with my Mother – working from my satellite office in her formal dining room. With everything happening around us, it’s especially important to be present and to observe rituals that keep us grounded.
For me, that means celebrating birthdays (mine & Mom’s) and the High Holy Day season. This year, most of the holidays begin Fridays at sunset and end Sundays at nightfall, therefore, the impact to my schedule will be minimal. (Remember, we always close early on Fridays for Shabbas.)
To honor my commitment to Torah and restore my sanity, StarrParalegals will be closed as follows to observe and celebrate the High Holy Day season:
- Rosh Hashanah
- Closing at 1 pm CT, Friday, September 18, 2020
- Reopening at 9 am CT, Monday, September 21, 2020
- Yom Kippur
- Closed Monday, September 28, 2020
- Reopening at 11 am CT, Tuesday, September 29, 2020
- Sukkot
- Closing at 3 pm CT, Friday, October 2, 2020
- Reopening at 9 am CT, Monday, October 5, 2020
- Simchat Torah / Shemini Atzeret
- Closing at 3 pm CT, Friday, October 9, 2020
- Reopening at 9 am CT, Monday, October 12, 2020
Shana tova u’metuka! May you have a sweet, prosperous, and HEALTHY new year!
Comments Off on A Sweet & HEALTHY New YearElul – Chodesh Tov
August 21, 2020It’s Rosh Chodesh Elul . A time for teshuvah, tefillah, & tzedakah as we enter the Yamim Noraim, Days of Awe. From now until Yom Kippur, it is customary to wish each other “ketiva v’chatima tova” – may you be inscribed and sealed for a happy and healthy new year.
As the month of divine mercy and forgiveness, Elul is a most opportune time for teshuvah (“return” to HaShem), prayer, charity, and increased ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew and our fellow beings), in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to HaShem. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when “the king is in the field” and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, “everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance, showing a smiling face to them all.” (Source: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/293704/jewish/Elul-Observances-in-a-Nutshell.htm)
In Elul, HaShem acts charitably toward us by being especially accessible to hear our prayers. We ask for forgiveness, and HaShem hears our pleas. HaShem’s mercy is aroused when we behave to our fellow in the way that HaShem behaves toward us. So when we give charitably, HaShem gives charitably to us.
May HaShem look favorably on us all and grant us relief from COVID and a ketiva v’chatima tova – that we are each inscribed and sealed for a happy and healthy new year.
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