Thanksgiving in America has always been very interesting to me. So, I did some research and spoke about its origins during Friday night services and how it was Abraham Lincoln on October 3, 1863 made Thanksgiving an official National Holiday. Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation that year was very religious, Biblical, in nature and could have come right from a Jewish prayerbook.
Lincoln began by saying, "The year that is drawing toward 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 can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God."
Sometimes as Jews we need a reminder from secular American society to recognize and thank God. Thanksgiving serves as a great reminder. Additionally, during this Thanksgiving season, Lincoln urged us not to forget the, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged." When we are truly Thankful for what we have, we must give back to those who are in need. This is part of the rationale for the Tekiah project. The other part is about building relationships with others in the pursuit of Tikkun Olam, in our work to repair the world.
Why do we have such difficulty in giving back and thanking God for what we have? Are we just forgetful? Is it due to lack of time? Interest?
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