Memorial Service for Our Animal Companions
Compiled by Rabbi Aryel Nachman
Introduction:
What is it about pets that cause us humans to form such close attachments? Why is the loss of a pet such a devastating event for their owners? What is it about these animals, large or small, that connects to us in such an intimate way?
All: Let us start by gaining an understanding of the nature of animals in G-d’s creation.
Genesis 1: 24-25 And G-d said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. G-d made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And G-d saw that it was good.
All: The creation of animals even precedes the creation of man and woman.
Looking further in the narrative:
Genesis 2: 19-20 Now the LORD G-d had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.
From this we understand that: Until the creature has a name, according to the Zohar, there is no angel to strike it and say "Grow". Every thing, every animal and every human has a name; one that is known and one that is know only to G-d [B"H]. The name is comprised of letters, each letter defines the nature and attributes of the animal, and until the lump of clay has a name, it has no nature or attributes. So, by HaShem bringing the animals to Adam, Adam determines and nature and attributes of each by naming them. HaShem makes Adam an intimate part of the creation process, and by doing so Adam therefore becomes responsible for their care.
All: We learn of the unique bond that is shared between humans and animals:
Genesis 2: 30 “…and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is a living soul, I have given every green herb for food.' And it was so.”
We are told that everything in creation has the breath of G-d; the rocks, plants and fish, etc. However, the interesting thing is the term “nefesh” or soul; and this term is only applied to animals and humans.
The Unique Relationship Between Humans and Pets.
All: Where was the first connection made between man and an animal companion?
Genesis 4: 9 “And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And he said: 'I know not; am I my brother's keeper?” After G-d confronts Cain about the murder of his brother, Cain laments 13 “And Cain said unto the LORD: 'My punishment is greater than I can bear.14-15 Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from Thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me.” With this G-d tells Cain “And the LORD said unto him: 'Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.' And the LORD set a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should smite him.”
The story goes that; the “sign” G-d gave Cain was a dog. The dog would protect him. The dog was also a constant reminder to Cain that he was no longer under G-d’s protection and he now had to care for and rely on the dog for protection. It is said that the dog was so loyal to Cain that, when it came time for G-d to implement his judgment on Cain, the dog refused to leave; preferring to perish with its master.
All: We are told of the important part that dog’s played in the Exodus from Egypt.
Exodus 11: 7, we are told that: “But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog whet his tongue, against man or beast; that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.”
As a reward for their restraint from barking and yelping it is the custom to give all non-kosher food and meat to the dogs to eat out of our sense of eternal gratitude.
All: Even the mighty king David kept pets:
From the Babylonian Talmud (Shabbat 30a-b) Solomon sent to the Beit Midrash [asking]: My father has died [on the Sabbath] …, and the dogs of father’s house are hungry; what shall I do? They sent back [an answer]: cut up a carcass and place it before the dogs... Did not Solomon put it aptly: “Better a live dog than a dead lion”?
All: From this we learn that our pets must be cared for even on the Sabbath, and even before a caring for a deceased king, even one who was as great as king David.
Poems or stories from family or friends:
Concluding Readings:
A Participant: (Psalm 29:3) The fish say: "The sound of the Almighty on the waters, the G-d of glory thundering, The Awesome One over the mighty waters."
Another Participant: (Psalm 121:1) The cat says: "I lift my eyes up to the hills: from where does my help come?"
Another Participant: (Psalm 145:14) The lizard says: "Support is G-d to all who fall, G-d raises up all those bent down."
Another Participant: (Psalm 92:6) The elephant says: "How great are your deeds, Almighty One, your thoughts are very deep."
Another Participant: (Obadiah 1:4) The bird says: "Even should you rise as high as eagles, place your nest among the stars, even from there I'll pluck you down, declares The Cunning One."
Another Participant: (Psalm 30:2) The mouse says: "I shall exalt you, O Redeeming One, for you delivered me and gave my enemies no joy on my account."
Another Participant: (Psalm 123:2) The dog says: "Behold, like servants' eyes toward their masters, like a handmaiden's toward her mistress, so are our eyes toward Our Keeper that we might find favor."
Another Participant: (Psalm 23:1-2) The sheep says: "The Eternal is my shepherd; I shall never be in need; G-d sets me down amid the choicest grasses, leads me by the calmest waters."
(excerpted from Kol HaNeshamah)
Where Humans and Animals Stand Together Before G-d:
All: "... that which befalls the children of humans befalls the beasts;
one thing befalls them both;
as the one dies so does the other;
and both have the same life breath;
so that humans have no superiority over a beast;
since both amount to nothing.
Both go to the same place;
both came from dust, and both return to dust."
(Ecclesiastes 3:19-20)
Closing Prayer:
Our Father our King; today we remember the one we called <Name of Animal>.
In six days You created the universe. On the sixth day, even before you created man and woman, You created all the animals.
When man named the animals, You gave us the responsibility for the care of all your creatures, but to some, You gave special responsibility for those we call pets.
They become part of our homes, our families and our lives, and they ask us for nothing more than to be given a name and to be close to us.
They depend on us for their care, and in return they give us their unquestioning loyalty, companionship and devotion.
In Your great wisdom, You sent <Name of Animal> to <Name of Owner and Family Members>. You knew that <his/her> time on this earth would be brief, so You placed <him/her> with a family who would fill <his/her> life with joy, comfort and love. When the time came for <Name of Animal> to return to You, <he/she> came to you as a pet who knew a lifetime of love. <Name of the Animal> will be missed by <his/her> family, but they are grateful that You chose them for this special blessing.
Blessed are You, in whose world nothing is lacking.