A dear friend died tragically last night in a horrific car crash. right after the Jewish new year, on his way back from spending the holiday in nature, immersed prayer and in song. It's hard to make sense of it, death is so ubiquitis such so strange and foreign when it shows up >

David was the friend you feel close to, even if you saw him rarely, because of his genuine smile and calming presence and when you met him even after a year of not seeing him it felt like we're keeping up right where we left off because he always cared and listened >

He was always of service, always looking out for others, almost to a fault. He never liked to be the center of attention but was most active behind the scenes. That's why he chose to become an EMT and volunteered in Ambulance corps and so many other acts of kindness >

Yet, if we can be honest, I never really appreciated any of those qualities when he was around. We would have a fun time on a weekend camping trip. I'd think "what a cool dude" and maybe shoot a message here and there, what we call 'casual friends' in our uber-connected world >

His sudden death made me think of him as a person, and suddenly I found myself mourning all the beauty I failed to see in him when he was still around. A person is sometimes like an intricate piece of art that you need a bit of distance to appreciate its beauty >

I don't have a particular point. Our sages say "Who is wise? one who learns from every person" - David's passing made me realize how fragile life is; how treasured friendship is; and how easy it is to lose sight on the beauty of humanity all around us. >

For David's sake, please take a moment, thinks about the people around you. without the cloud of judgment and ego, and appreciate their core humanity, be grateful for their existence. One day you might miss them badly.

May the memory of David be of blessing.