We, the American citizenry, are a thankful lot.
Our calendar is dotted with days when we express our gratitude to 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 the 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 work force, 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.
Then there is Thanksgiving Day: “The day when we thank G-d for enabling all the above — and for all else He does for us,” says Rabbi Naftali Silberberg, curriculum director of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute.
The Founding Fathers of this great country recognized a Supreme Being who provides and cares for every creature. Many attribute America’s historically unprecedented success and prosoperity to this ideal.
As Jewish citizens of this land, we tend to look to the Torah for a deeper perspective and additional insight. What light does the Torah shed on the wonderful trait of thankfulness?
Rabbi Silberberg points to one particular mitzvah which is completely devoted to expressing gratitude — the mitzvah of bikkurim (Deuteronomy 26:1-12).
During the Temple era, every farmer was commanded to bring to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem the first fruits that ripened in his orchard. There he would recite a passage thanking G-d for the land and its bountiful harvest; and the fruits were given to the kohanim (priests). The midrash, says Rabbi Silberberg, extols the great virtue of this mitzvah, going so far as to say that the Land of Israel was given to the Jews as a reward for the mitzvah of bikkurim which they would observe after entering the Land.
While the importance of expressing gratitude is self-understood, it is difficult to comprehend the special significance of bikkurim. After all, isn’t the Jewish day jam-packed with “thank yous,” with all the blessings from the moment we wake up to the daily prayer services, not to mention the blessings recited upon eating, drinking and experiencing both mundane and beautiful things?
What’s the difference between every-day, all-day gratitude and a special occasion such as bikkurim — or Thanksgiving? The late Lubavitcher Rebbe said that bikkurim involves more than just words — it requires a commitment; the gratitude must express itself in deeds.
Some people approach Thanksgiving in this manner, through deeds. They organize or donate to canned food drives. They volunteer to assemble food packages for the needy. They pause at their Thanksgiving tables to sincerely express gratitude for all they have been given or have achieved.
Some people wonder whether Thanksgiving is a holiday for Jews. The answer is yes. And it’s a pretty good one too! After all, it’s another opportunity to gather to eat. And, we can celebrate it any time of the day we wish.
Enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving.
Copyright © 2014 by the Intermountain Jewish News
