Rabbi's Message
Rabbi’s Message:
The True Meaning of Thanksgiving
In the general calendar, there is no question which is my favorite holiday — it is Thanksgiving, which comes upon us again in the month of November. And, there are several reasons for this personal preference. To begin with, it is one of the only national holidays left that still is celebrated on the day it was intended, having not been mutilated by the so-called “four-day weekend.” Also, it is the only holiday that truly belongs equally to all Americans, with no particular sectarian overtones to it. But, most of all, I love this day because it motivates us, in an era of many material distractions, to take the time to thank the Almighty for what is really important in our lives.
I know that our Pilgrim ancestors — infused with Scripture — loved the Psalms, as I do. I am certain that in observing that first Thanksgiving in 1621, they thought a lot about King David, who, in so many of his Psalms, effusively expressed gratitude to God. I think particularly of Psalm 119, when David says, “At midnight, I will rise to give thanks to You, O God, because of your righteous ordinances.” (Psalm 119:62)
The question may be asked, why did David awaken at this late-night hour? It was because — in the midst of a tumultuous and anxious life — in the quiet of midnight, he could clearly visualize the meaning of his life and what was truly important. Following in the footsteps of David, for us thanking God, while we do not observe it at midnight, this is what Thanksgiving is all about. In an age when so many are unhappy, striving for the material, the power, the social climbing, it clears our head as to what life is really all about.
In this connection, I recently read a piece by a very learned clergy person who distilled the basic things of life into a threefold acronym — the “three H’s”: health, home and heritage. No matter what we have in the bank, or our social status, or our accolades — not that they are not legitimate needs — it is the three H’s that make us possess so much.
Yes, first be thankful for your health, your body. Exercise. Be checked. If you have good health, you have so much. Then, secondly, if you have a strong home, a place where you can always go to feel the unique bonds of family love and closeness, you have an asset valuable beyond words. Finally, whoever we are, we have a heritage — a twin patrimony — our American background and a particular faith foundation. This is what gives us solid direction in life. You cannot ever put a price on this.
In my ministry, I spend a good deal of time visiting people in the hospital. I see some, unfortunately, in very dire straits, weakened and in pain. I find it is then, with their family gathered around, that they realize — beyond what they were aimlessly striving for — what they really have: bodily strength to hopefully get through their illness, their family from home and their heritage. May we, at this Thanksgiving, not wait until a difficult time like this to realize our true possessions. May we say with David: “In the evening, I rise to give thanks to You, O God, for the true gifts that you have given me.”
