As we enter this Thanksgiving weekend, I’ve been reflecting on the place of gratitude in Jewish life. Long before contemporary psychology demonstrated what many now recognize—that gratitude measurably improves health, deepens relationships, and even helps us live longer—Judaism understood this truth.
There are now many studies showing that people who regularly practice gratitude experience better physical and emotional well-being, and may even enjoy longer lives. Science is affirming something our ancestors intuited long ago.
Our tradition is filled with invitations to give thanks. One of my favorites appears right at the opening of Psalm 92: “It is good to give thanks to God–Tov l’hodot L’Adonai!” Good for the spirit, good for the self, good for others—and, as we now know, good for the body and mind.
We express gratitude constantly in Jewish life. Before eating, we pause to acknowledge the Source of the food before us. We offer blessings for fragrant spices, natural beauty, learning, and new experiences. There is even a daily blessing for the simple, often-overlooked gift of a body that functions as it should. At life’s milestone moments—births, recoveries, achievements, reunions—we mark the moment with thanksgiving. Again and again, our tradition encourages us to notice and appreciate the goodness that surrounds us.
This rhythm of gratitude also helps us understand the origins of Thanksgiving. The national holiday was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the urging of Sarah Josepha Hale, in the midst of the Civil War—a moment of profound suffering and division. He called the nation to pause, to reflect, and to give thanks for the blessings that remained, even in a time of darkness. It was an invitation to look for light when the world felt anything but peaceful.
Whatever the source of this wisdom—ancient rabbis or modern researchers—the truth is clear: it is good to give thanks. To one another. To the world. To God.
So, on this Thanksgiving weekend, I invite you to focus on what truly matters: the people around your table, the gifts in your life, the blessings often hiding in plain sight. May gratitude fill your home, lighten your heart, and open your eyes to the goodness that is already here.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yoshi