This past week, I learned about the passing of the two oldest dogs on my block. One a spry golden retriever and the other a crotchety pug, that seemed on its leg from the time we moved in almost fourteen years ago. Both had been staples of our small cul-de-sac, emerging eagerly in the spring after a winter long hibernation, all the while outliving several of our own pups. And, while I knew the day would come eventually, finding out about both in the same week is heartbreaking.
I am reminded of a poem by Jonathan Fanning called “The Last Time,” where he writes: The thing is, you won’t even know it’s the last time / Until there are no more times. And even then, it will take you a while to realize / So while you are living in these times, remember there are only so many of them and when they are gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them / For one last time.”
This week’s portion, Parshat Shmini, makes this fact abundantly clear, as we witness the eldest sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, conduct their first and last sacrifice. A tragic sacrificial accident takes these future leaders of our people away in a blink of an eye. All these years later, we feel the sting of the loss, not only for their immediate family, but for all of us as well. We can only imagine what their lives could have been if only they had been given the chance. The message of the poem and the portion is to savor every moment, because we know never when it will be the last. In honor of Nadav and Avihu, as well as the golden retriever and pug on my block, may we live each day as if it was our first, celebrating all that is good in this beautiful world.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex