וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ וּבֵֽרַכְתָּ֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ עַל־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַטֹּבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָֽתַן־לָֽךְ
(Deuteronomy 8:10)
When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to your God יהוה for the good land given to you.
Gratitude is a central tenet to our tradition and scripture, found in so many of our teachings, prayers, rituals. Every day, we are encouraged to recite blessings for a variety of experiences, from eating food to witnessing natural wonders, helping us to foster mindfulness and gratitude in everyday moments. There is no blessing we should take for granted.
In Pirkei Avot, Ben Zoma reminds us: “Who is rich? He or she who is happy with their lot.” He suggests that gratitude is central to human contentment and is the equivalent of spiritual wealth. Today, let us enjoy this time to be happy with our own lot, to eat, walk, listen, play, sing, celebrate, eat again, and rest. May we be nourished, may we find fulfillment in our lives, may we value our sacred relationships, may we notice every blessing, may we be present in this day, may we be blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving!
–Cantor Emma Lutz