Thanksgiving Message 2007
Together with most of the people around us, we will fully embrace Thanksgiving. For many, we will do so with an abundance of family, football, and food. What does Judaism say about Thanksgiving that may enhance our marking of this upcoming national festival?
A Talmudic sage in Tractate Brachot noted that regardless of our current station in life, one must always remember to give thanks. Moreover, in the Torah itself, we find in Leviticus, Chapter 7 Verse 11, et. seq. the specific description of the “sacrifice of thanksgiving”. There is a unique and noteworthy feature of this offering as detailed in our sacred text. The entirety of the cooked meat must be eaten during the day the thanksgiving sacrifice was made. All other animal sacrifices codified in our ancient writings allowed for the meal to continue to be consumed into a part of the next day.
Our scholars asserted that this distinction existed to instruct us to be seized completely in the particular day set aside to render gratitude to the Creator of all Life. Also, not to tarry, delay, or postpone the holy act of giving thanks. In other words, we are to be sincere and totally dedicated to the emotional and spiritual commitment necessary to acknowledge properly the moment of thanksgiving. Tradition urges us to do so by sharing our tables with others, especially those who may otherwise be alone. We emphasize to our children and to ourselves that to help and lift up the less fortunate is the most meaningful way to express our genuine praise and appreciation to Adonai for the prosperity of a bountiful harvest. This is the real essence and at the heart of any “Thanksgiving” ritual not the symbolic animal, whether it be sacrificed on a stone altar, or a turkey roasting in an oven.
The prophet Michah explains it eloquently by observing that, “the Lord would not be satisfied with a thousand rams”, but rather wants from us, “only to do justice and to love goodness”. (Michah 6:6-8)
Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving weekend.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Jack