This past Thursday we had Mrs. Amara Levine Reich as our mishmar speaker. Mrs. Reich's shiur was about giving thanks. When we were split into chavrutas I was very excited because I got to teach my group all about the korban todah which we learned in Chumash class. I was even more excited when Mrs. Reich gave over Rabbi Leibtag's commentary on the Korban Todah that we all learned. The Korban Todah has some unique laws. First, the Todah is brought along with forty loaves of bread. Four of which are given to the Kohen and the rest are eaten by the non-Kohen. The normal shelamim can be eaten over a period of two days and one night, but a Todah offering has only one day and night for consumption. This means that the person who brings the Todah offering has a shorter amount of time to eat his animal and an additional 36 loaves of bread to eat.
Rabbi Liebtag explains that the only way that this could be done was to share the Korban Todah communally with as many friends and family members as possible. This way it would be eaten within the allotted time. So the Korban Todah was designed not just as a personal offering of thanksgiving, but to inspire others to share in a communal offering of thanks.
Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I would like to pose a few questions. Do you think it is 'okay' or appropriate for Jews to celebrate Thanksgiving? Why or why not? Besides for the Korban Todah, are there any other places in Tanach or davening where giving thanks is mentioned? (hint: think about shemona esrei and what we say when we first wake up in the morning!)Do you think a day like Thanksgiving is important or should every day be a day of thanks? Is Thanksgiving a personal or communal holiday?
I think it is okay for Jews to celebrate Thanksgiving since it is not a religious celebration, but one of a nation. Since many of us(not including me) are Americans if feel like there is nothing wrong with celebrating and thanking the Indians for their help.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first wake up we say "mode ani" that God returned our soul to us that we could wake up and live another day!
Everyday should be a day of thanks, but thanksgiving in my opinion is a special day where it is really emphasizes and most Americans are thankful on that day.