Here Today
September 25, 2012 
Tonite - we enter into Yom Kippur - the most solemn and holy of days as we welcome in the Jewish New Year.
Again - we gather. We join our hands and our hearts. We chant. We sing. We pray and sway and bow deeply. It is on this day that - it is said - our fate is signed and sealed...that our lives are determined.
We sit both in silence and in song. We turn our attentions inwards. We look back and we look forwards. We ask questions that have no answers...and in that not knowing - we find another chance...another opportunity to renew and restore and begin - once and again.
We listen to the haunting beauty of the ancient melodies - passed down from one generation to another. We read the ancient texts. We are reminded of from where we came..and that - against all imagineable odds - we are free to pray and sway and bow deeply. Again.
We celebrate - that we are here today. We celebrate - hope and joy and redemption. We celebrate - a returning..a coming back home and back to ourselves and all others. We celebrate - life and all it has to offer.
In love..and in peace. We join our hands and our hearts. We pray and sway. We look deeply within. We wish. We dream. We promise ourselves - a better world..a better and brighter future. A new year..a new day. We begin - once and always - again.
Reader Comments (43)
We have a woman staying with us for the past year or so who was adopted into a Jewish family from a Jewish orphanage. Her father passed away several years ago. She and her daughters and grandchildren are going to the temple this evening to find out more about their heritage, apparently she did not have much of a religious upbringing. She has been going through some very tough times after losing her home and income, but she says having trials brings her closer to understanding what her father must have gone through while in Auschwitz .I hope she finds peace and a renewal of spirit tonight
In love and in peace to you and all of those who celebrate with you. Hope you have a wonderful peace-filled beginning to your new year!
G’mar Tov, Marci.
That is a stunning capture, thanks for sharing...
Mines up as well at AussiePomm - Holmenkollen
Have a great day!!
Yom Kippur!
G’mar Tov, Marci.
love. peace. hope. joy. redemption. May all of us everywhere share with you in these prayers for a brighter day. Your image: breathtaking.
Your image is magical.....and so perfect for this post. We will be leaving soon for Kol Nidre. May the holiday bring you peace, Marcie.
Peaceful. That's how I felt when I saw the photo.
This is exquisite!
Ambiance vaporeuse tout en finesse, parfaitement restitué.
Lovely, mystical photo. Happy new year to you, too.
this is beautiful, in every way. in love and in peace. yes.
This is such a lovely, peaceful scene.
Wishing you a wonderful and peaceful year ahead, Marcie.
You chose a beautiful image to talk about Yom Kippur and what it means to the Jewish people Marcie.... thank you for sharing this with us....peter:)
This may sound strange to say but...whenever I read something like this from you, Marcie, I feel deep within me that at some time in my past life I was a Jewish girl/woman, feeling everything of which you speak....
Looks eery and soothing at the same time. Great eye. Hope you stop by and leave your beautiful photo on my linky on my blog.
quack, where are you, quack?
I wish a peaceful and joyful year for you Marcie. Magnificent image!
Wishing you the happiest of new year's Marcie. What a beautiful and peaceful image to go with the special day!
What a beautiful description of this profound day.Although I am not very familiar with the Jewish beliefs, I am reading Exodus for the second time and am currently reading the part where God is instructing the building of the Tabernacle and the instructions for the High Holy Day and the Day of Atonement and I too am reminded how incredible it is that we are all here by His will only and the journey out of Egypt. God bless as you renew your spirit.
I am always in awe with your postings about your Jewish beliefs. I learn so much. Just beautiful Marcie.
What an incredible photo...and your words are very touching. Beautiful!
This is beautiful...happy new year...God's blessing to you.
May it be a beautiful New Year for you Marcie.
xo.
Sending you peace and blessings on this holy day...as well as gratitude for the connection we have made here.
Beautiful words and image. Thank-you.
lovely misty scenery - great mood catching
Exquisite image for a New Year. Have a wonderful New Year, Marcie
Against unimaginable odds.....this has touched me. The brilliance of your ancestors and their long long journey to peace and freedom. It is wonderful to celebrate them and their offspring too. The image is also gentle and still , it represents a landing, an arrival, and a rightful home. I salute your beautiful enduring culture Marcie. X
beautifully said...gut yon tif!
AWESOME BEAUTY MARCIE!!!!!!!!
10*'s from me.....
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the perfectly smooth transition from upper right to lower left.
So peaceful! Love your image!
An amazing piece of writing. An amazing image of such simplicity and peace. To a new year - blessing to you and yours.
I love your words and image.
this scene looks really solemn.. :) nice shot!
exquisite minimalism
What a subtle image. So beautifully presented! All the best for the year...
Breathtakingly beautiful--I'm blown away by this shot Marcie!
Long lists of superlatives came into my mind on seeing this, so I'll say...simply beautiful.
What a stunning gradient. Just like the birds and framing, the green-blue tones are amazing too.
Marcie, your post brings tears to my eyes. I'm just so deeply touched by your words, their message, and the image of beauty and mystery that goes with it all. So, so, so beautiful. Thank you.
Happy New Year. May this year be filled with even more Beauty <3