In A.A. Milne’s classic children’s story Winnie the Pooh, the beloved anthropomorphic bear asks Piglet, “What day is it?” ”It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. ”My favorite day,” Pooh replied. Pooh’s profound message, it seems, is that it’s so important for us to appreciate the moment we’re in — a moment that won’t last forever — despite whatever wishes we might have to hold tight to the most precious events in our lives. And we hear compelling echoes of that very wise insight from Rabbi Sarah Mack.
Rabbi Sarah Mack, a native of Seattle, Washington, is a member of the clergy at Temple Beth-El in Providence.