Do Jews celebrate Thanksgiving?

A few days ago I was walking the halls of the Temple and I ran into a friend of mine. She wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. I replied in kind. Then she said: “Oh wait a minute. I didn’t mean to offend you. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?” I said: “Of course I do!” She laughed, blushed a bit, and I wished her well. So in honor of this wonderful American holiday, let me say that Jews definitely celebrate Thanksgiving.

Perhaps my friend was concerned that as a Rabbi, I might have a religious objection to the holiday. However, Thanksgiving is an American holiday and has no religious elements as far as I am aware. In fact, I think that Thanksgiving is a great festival for Jews. Saying “Thank You” is a primary Jewish value. The essence of Jewish prayer is to thank God for what we have been given. When a Jew eats, he or she says: “Blessed are you God, for bringing bread from the earth.” A farmer plants and cultivates the wheat. But to say a blessing over bread affirms that God played a role in creating an amazing universe where the sun rises each day and the rain falls and the growth of food possible.

The Rabbis taught that we are to say 100 blessings a day. Talk about being thankful! What would your life be like if you had to search for a 100 things to be thankful for? It certainly would cultivate a sense of appreciation. Saying 100 blessings would help us realize that no matter how difficult life can be, we all have many good things such simply being alive, our health, our friends and our loved ones.

Picture: The Beach at Grand Bahama Island. It was a blessing to see this clear beautiful ocean.

Since it may be hard to come up with 100 blessings each day, the Rabbis suggested a few. Upon seeing lightening, one may say: “Blessed are you God, who made the world.” When you see the ocean, you can say: “Blessed are you God, who made the great sea.” And upon seeing fruit trees in bloom, one may say: “Blessed are you God, who leaves nothing lacking in the world, who created good creatures and beautiful trees, for the benefit of all people.”

And what about the other 97 blessings? I might suggest that we offer the following words: “Baruch Atah Adonai, Blessed are you God,” and then insert whatever we have to be thankful for. On Thanksgiving, I might speak this blessing: “Baruch Atah Adoni, Blessed are you God, who has given me a warm home and a loving family.”

And so, I think that Thanksgiving is great. Perhaps we should make it an honorary Jewish holiday.

My best wishes for a peaceful and warm Thanksgiving.

The Fly Fishing Rabbi, Eric Eisenkramer