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 Teaching Team

Happy Thanksgiving

For many of us Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays left that we celebrate with non-Torah families. For me and my wife it is a wonderful time to get together with relatives and celebrate what we are thankful for.

Interestingly enough some scholars have felt that the early pilgrims might have even modeled the first Thanksgiving after the Torah festival of Sukkot. Besides having the time of year (fall) in common, there is a similar attitude of gratitude for the harvest and the blessings from God exists in both. The Lubavitch Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson even once gave an interesting talk comparing the similarities between Chanukah and Thanksgiving. You can view it here.

As we watch the economy slowly go downhill, it should cause us to remember just how many things that hold our attention in this life are really fleeting. It's a good time to realign our priorities. It reminds me of the words from Hebrews 12:28:

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. (Hebrews 12:28)

At any rate, take some time out in the next couple of days and think about the things you are thankful for. Things that cannot be shaken.

May you all have a happy and kosher Thanksgiving!

About the Author: Toby Janicki is a teacher, writer and speaker for FFOZ. He is also a writer for Messiah Journal and the author of the Restoration and Boundary Stones workbooks as well as a book on the Mezuzah.

 

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