There is an eerie sadness whenever Nadab and Abihu are mentioned in the Torah, as they are at the beginning of this week’s portion Tetzaveh. The eldest of Aaron’s sons are next in line for the High Priesthood. But unfortunately, this was not to be, as a terrible tragedy struck them down in Leviticus 10, a priestly sacrifice gone horribly wrong. The fire of God devours the brothers in an instant, leaving a large hole in the heart of both Aaron and our people.
It has been thirteen long years since the crash of flight 3407 and the loss of our beloved Cantor Susan Wehle. This Saturday, February 12th, marks the English Yahrzeit of that terrible day. Her presence still looms large over our entire community.
Two weeks ago I was reminded of this when Bella Levy was called up to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Bella had been born right before the crash and was supposed to be named in a ceremony officiated over by Cantor Wehle. How painful it is to realize her absence not just in Bella’s baby naming and Bat Mitzvah, but in the many Jewish rituals in between.
We can never have Susan, or any of the other forty-nine people who died that night, back. Losing them so suddenly, makes us always pine for what might have been. We are grateful for all the good they brought us in their all too short lives. May their memories, like those of Nadab and Abihu before them, always be for a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex