Shimon, the second son of Jacob and Leah and the progenitor of the Israelite tribe of Shimon, was born on Tevet 21 (according to another opinion, on Tevet 28), of the year 2194 from creation (1567 BCE), nine years after Jacob's arrival in Charan.
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On December 23 (21 Teves), 1690, strong earthquakes rattled the city of Ancona, Italy, causing numerous structures to collapse and placing its inhabitants in mortal danger. Miraculously, the Jewish quarter was spared, suffering the collapse of only one house. In commemoration of this event, the local Jewish community established that date as a day of celebration and song, while the previous day—20 Teves—would be marked yearly by fasting and charity (Or Boker, p. 48a).
How will you repair a lost soul?
Blind yourself to its muddy shell.
Dig deeply and deeper yet. Sift through the darkened embers. Search for a spark that still shines.
Fan that spark until a flame appears.
Fall in love with the flame and despise the evil that encrusts it. Until all is consumed in the warmth of that flame.
For empathy is the redeemer of love. And love is the liberator of deeds that shine.