Thanksgiving: A Jewish Perspective
We, the American citizenry, are a thankful lot. Our calendar
is dotted with days when we express our gratitude to various individuals and
entities. On Veterans’ Day, we thank the members of the Armed Forces for their
dedicated service. On Memorial Day, we show our gratitude to those courageous
men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our liberties and
democratic lifestyle. On Labor Day, we express our appreciation to the
industrious American workforce, the people who keep the wheels of our economy
turning. On other selected days, we pause to thank different historic
individuals who have made valuable contributions to our nation.
As Jews, we have our holiday routines: Shabbat dinners with
candles, Kiddush wine and ha-Motzi over the challah. On Rosh Hashanah,
we have apples and honey. Passover? There is a whole manual to tell us when to
dip, when to drink, even how we are supposed to sit.
And then there is Thanksgiving. The day when we thank G-d
for enabling all the above - and for all else G-d does for us. The idea of giving thanks is a familiar theme
in Jewish tradition. Judaism views every day as a day of thanksgiving; every
day is a chance to say “thank you” to G-d for the many blessings we have. We gather to eat - the same people, at the
same table, with the same enticing aromas wafting in the kitchen. But we do not
have a script. Sure, we feast on turkey,
argue politics, and watch football. But what about the ritual? What about the
meaning?
“Judaism”
is actually built upon the word gratitude. Because Leah was grateful to
G-d for the gift of another son, she named him Yehudah (Judah) which means, “I am
grateful.” In fact, Judah’s name carried such importance that it
became the name for our people - Yehudim, Jews, literally, the
grateful ones. How profound that at the root of what it means to be Jewish is
the very idea of gratitude! Sitting
around a table with family and friends. Delicious food ready to be enjoyed.
Gathering for a meal and giving thanks. Sharing values and tradition. What could be more Jewish?
Thanksgiving and Judaism - the perfect match.
Scientists
have found that there are all sorts of positive outcomes from practicing
gratitude. Our physical health and immunity against disease is improved. When
we rid ourselves of negative emotions such as resentment, frustration, and
regret, replacing them with thoughts of gratitude, we can sleep better, gain
more self-respect, and have better relationships with our family and friends.
With gratitude, we can be more hopeful about the future.
In
traditional Judaism, we begin each day with a prayer: “Thank you G-d for
restoring my soul to my body and for giving me another day of life.” With this prayer, we begin our day with
gratitude and in a conversation with G-d: “How bad can the day be? How good can the day be?”
Before
COVID, did we appreciate the things we had? Have we learned to be more grateful
for what we have? Like a fridge full of food, our friends and family, the roof
over our heads, and having an extra 6-pack of Charmin? We focus now on simple
acts like going for a walk and reading a book. This time has reminded us to
simply stop and smell the roses. Take a
moment to focus on the goodness in the world and in your life. A grateful perspective is critical to sustain
our positive attitude - to energize, to heal, and to bring hope. Now, more than ever, this Thanksgiving let us
recognize the good (hakarat hatov) and say, “Thank
You.” (Todah Rabah)!
Recite
the words of the Shehechiyanu prayer this Thanksgiving as you sit around
the table with your loved ones. Express
your gratitude to the G-d of Life who enables us to reach this beautiful day:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech ha’olam, shehechiyanu
v’kiyemanu v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.
Blessed
be G-d, the Eternal Source of all life, for keeping us alive, for sustaining
us,
and for bringing us to this joyous season!
Happy
Thanksgiving to All!
Rabbi Stuart Paris, HaKohen
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