Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah
November 27, 2024
29 Cheshvan 5785
Toldot
In October 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed: “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.” And thus, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
The rabbis who established our tradition were also worried that we might forget the source of our blessings. However, they didn’t think that one Thursday a year was sufficient. Every Saturday morning when we come together in the sanctuary we recite the following prayers:
“Praised are You, Adonai, who bestows lovingkindness upon Your people Israel.” (Birchot Hashachar, p. 16 in Siddur Eit Ratzon)
“It is good to give thanks to Adonai, to sing Your praise, exalted God.” (Psalm 92, p. 27)
“Let every breath of life praise God. Halleluyah!” (Psalm 150, p. 33)
“For it is the duty of all creatures, Adonai our god and God of our ancestors, to thank, laud and glorify you.” (Shochen Ad, p. 39)
“Praises and thanks are Yours now and forever.” (Yishtabach, p. 40)
“Your beloved sang hymns of thanks, extolling You with psalms of adoration.” (Ezrat Avoteinu, p. 56)
“We thank You and praise You for our lives which are in Your hand, for our souls that are in your Your charge, for Your miracles that daily attend us....” (Amidah, p. 68)
“Let us thank our God, our Ruler. Let us thank our Sovereign, our Deliverer.” (Ein Keloheinu, p. 107)
“We bend the knee, bow and give thanks before the Supreme Sovereign....” (Aleinu, p. 109)
So, Happy Thanksgiving AND Shabbat Shalom,
RAF.
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