A Thanksgiving Prayer of Gratitude
by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback 

When something wonderful happens to us, it’s easy to be filled with a sense of gratitude. Believers and non-believers alike find themselves saying “thank you” to God at the birth of a child or in the relief that comes from hearing good test results in the doctor’s office.

What’s often truly hard, however, is being grateful in the face of misfortune.

This Thanksgiving holiday comes at a difficult time. When we most long to be close to family and friends, we find ourselves isolated, disconnected, and anxious about our future. We worry about our health and the safety of those around us. More broadly, we worry about the terrible toll this pandemic is taking on our communities, our nation, on Israel, and all the world.

But as hard as it might be, our Jewish tradition is clear about this: it is a mitzvah, a religious obligation, to give thanks in difficult times just as it is to give thanks in good times. As the Talmud puts it: “One is obligated to recite a blessing for the bad just as one recites a blessing for the good, as it is stated: “And you shall love the ETERNAL your God with all your heart.” (Berakhot 54a)

If we are to love God with all of our being, reasons the Talmud, we must love God with all of our hearts even when times are difficult — “for better or for worse,” as it were.

Throughout these challenging months, I have given thanks again and again for blessings all around. On this most unusual Thanksgiving, I offer this prayer:
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For the strength and resilience that I find in our tradition: modeh ani l’fanecha, Tzuri v’Goali — I give thanks to You, My Rock and My Redeemer.

For the friendship and love that I find in friends, family, and community: modeh ani l’fanecha, Ohev et Ha-Briyot — I give thanks to You, O God, the One who makes love possible for all creatures.

For the gifts of healing and hope that I cling to in even the darkest times: modeh ani l’fanecha, Rofei Kol Basar — I give thanks to You, the One who brings healing and hope to all.

With courage, with fortitude, and with faith — we give thanks to God for this moment and for every moment. Life itself is a gift — let’s give thanks for that gift each day.