Thanksgiving: A Jewish Perspective
Every year, on the fourth Thursday
of November, friends and families all gather as one to celebrate Thanksgiving.
We think back onto the previous year and give thanks for all the good that has
happened and for the positive people in our lives. It is also a day where
people go out and do good deeds for the less fortunate and open their doors to
others. We also sit down and have a massive meal together. These actions and
traditions of Thanksgiving strongly relate to the ideals of Judaism.
Judaism
is literally built upon gratitude. The original Hebrew word for Jew, Yehudi,
is a form of the Hebrew word for thank you – todah. In other words, Judaism
means “the path of gratitude.” Instead of calling ourselves “the people of the
book,” we more accurately could call ourselves “the grateful people,” “the
people of the thank you.”
Judaism overflows with opportunities to say thank you. Daily Jewish
prayer opens with Modeh/Modah Ani – a thank you for
the gift of another day. From the words we say upon arising – “Modeh
ani l'fanecha” “I give thanks to You (for compassionately restoring my soul
and giving me another day of life)” - to the daily multitude of blessings and
prayers in our worship services, our tradition teaches us that showing
gratitude is part of our way of life. Every day brings ample opportunities for
acts of mindfulness and thanksgiving that can transform our lives and repair
the world. Each
blessing, and there are hundreds of them in Judaism, is a fresh opportunity to
say thank you.
Probably the most
well-known Jewish gratitude practice is singing Dayenu at the Passover
Seder. The word Dayenu literally means “it would have been enough for
us.” In other words, Thank you. But when you look at the actual words,
you’ll see that Dayenu is gratitude with a twist: “If G-d had
split the sea for us but had not taken us through it on dry land, Dayenu – it
would have been good enough for us.” In what way would it have been enough for
us if the sea had split but we never got to cross over?
Dayenu actually teaches us two things
about gratitude: First, Dayenu doesn’t just say, “G-d thank you for
taking us out of Egypt.” Dayenu divides up the Exodus into fifteen steps
and offers gratitude for each one. When expressing gratitude, don’t just offer
a blanket generalized “thank you.” Spell out the details. It’s in the specifics
that a thank you has real power. Second, don’t wait for the problem to be fully
taken care of in order to express appreciation. Each small step along the way
is worthy of being appreciated.
Scientists have
discovered all sorts of positive outcomes from practicing gratitude: improved
physical health and immunity against disease, fewer expressions of toxic
emotions such as resentment, frustration and regret, better sleep, more
self-respect, more satisfying relationships, and enhanced resilience. When we show gratitude, we deepen our
relationships with each other, we feel better and more empowered about our
possibilities, and more hopeful about the future.
Thanksgiving
offers us a chance to replenish ourselves with a sense of gratitude,
well-being, and connection. This is at the heart of Jewish life and
practice. 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!
Gratitude is the foundation of who we are: The
People of the Thank You.
Happy
Thanksgiving to All!
Love and Blessings,
Rabbi Scott Matous
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