blogs/rabbi-huberman

Embedded in the name of every Jew is a word, which over thousands of years, has helped define who we are. That word is “thanksgiving.”

For, the words, “thank you,” are essential to how we, as Jews, interact with God and with humanity.

That simple realization came to me many years ago when, one December, as a junior newspaper reporter, I was assigned to investigate one of the most pressing mysteries of our time: Where do children’s letters to the North Pole end up?

In Canada, postal codes are composed of a series of six letters and numbers which identify the exact destination of each envelope by province, city, neighborhood and side of the street.

In 1982, someone at Canada Post’s headquarters noticed that during the holiday season more than a million letters were being received from children all over the world, addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole, Postal Code H0H0H0.

And because Canadians are generally very polite, a formal office was set up to answer each letter in the language or form it was received — be it Japanese, Esperanto or Braille.

After a few phone calls, I found myself speaking with the head of the program, who provided inspiring details about how post office volunteers spend countless hours each year answering every one of these letters.

Finally, at the end of the interview, the Jew in me emerged, inspiring me to ask, “Do you ever receive thank you letters?”

The supervisor paused for a moment, and responded, “Of the million letters, it is very rare that a child ever sends a letter of thanks.”

I smiled at that moment and remembered how — after my bar mitzvah — my mother pressured me to write thank you cards to everyone who sent me a present. It’s Jewish tradition to acknowledge gifts after weddings and other happy occasions.

I know that children within other traditions are taught to extend gratitude and thanksgiving in other meaningful ways. But when it comes to writing thank you cards to Santa — not so much.

For some reason, this week, that remote memory of the North Pole post office, came to mind.

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayetze, Jacob, the father of Judaism’s third generation marries his uncle Lavan’s two daughters — Leah and Rachel.

The Torah tells us that Jacob works seven years for Lavan, in order to marry Rachel, but later learns that under the chuppah, Rachel has been replaced by the older Leah. Jacob is told that he can soon marry Rachel, but he must commit to working an additional seven years.

It is one reason why at many Jewish weddings, a veiling ceremony is held to make sure each partner is marrying the person of their choice.

Jacob eventually fathers 12 sons and a daughter with Leah and Rachel, and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah.

If we do the math, the Talmud argues, predictably each wife gives birth to three sons — each a future father of one of Judaism’s 12 tribes. But, life does not generally follow math.

Leah gives birth to Reuben, Simeon and Levi. But, when her fourth arrives, Leah realizes that this is above and beyond. Her heart is filled with gratitude, and she names her new son, Judah — a name connected with divine praise and thanksgiving.

The tribe of Judah ultimately survives, inspiring the core word of our national identity — Jew. Indeed, rooted in every Jew’s identity is that sacred connection with thanksgiving.

During this holiday season, it is natural that we become swept up in the observances that surround us. But in addition, we possess the capacity to blend these secular customs with Jewish tradition.

There are many times during the Jewish year where we give thanks. During Succoth, we express appreciation for rain and shelter. During Passover, we provide thanks for our freedom. On Shavuot we praise God for the Torah and the first harvest, and during the High Holidays, we thank God for life itself.

For us, thanksgiving is a way of life.

Moreover, when we express gratitude, we summon our sense of humility. This has been especially true during the pandemic. 

As we have learned during the past nine months, some of life’s big moments — in-person celebrations of births, anniversaries, and seders — have been placed on hold. 

Instead, some of our greatest blessings have occurred within smaller moments, as we’ve leaned on those, who provide us with services: health care workers, store clerks, first responders, those who deliver packages and many more who help make our lives easier.

It doesn’t always occur to us, but our basic identity is linked to Leah’s fourth son Judah — that child of thanksgiving.

And while Leah lived her life profoundly saddened that she was less loved, she leaves us with a greater legacy — and the last word.

Judah was not perfect. But through his lifetime, he developed a sense of conscience and a focus on the future.

His name and story call upon us to appreciate our own blessings and to direct them towards action. For it is not enough just to give thanks.

Dr. William Liss-Levinson, Board Chair for the Academy of Jewish Religion noted this week in his Thanksgiving message: “The challenge placed before us is to understand our roles and responsibilities as beneficiaries — to be thankful and appreciative, and to renew our commitment to help others in the world.”

That vital bridge from thank you to action extends from Biblical times, across all religions and nations, from Leah to today’s secular observances. We can be both Jews and engaged citizens.

The ability to say thank you is a gift from God that lifts each of us and reminds us we are not alone. We are interdependent.

Indeed, during this time of the year, let us be encouraged as Leah did, to name our blessings and to give thanks. In so doing, we give birth to the future.

During this time of thanksgiving, let us embrace humility as we express gratitude for our health and security, and for our family, friends and for others who elevate us.

On this Thanksgiving, let us pray for the privilege to extend that spirit of thanks to an even higher level, within this evolving country and a world so sorely in need of healing.

For each of us plays a part. From the act of giving thanks, let us be reminded: There is still so much to be done.

Indeed, as Leah teaches us — it all begins with thanksgiving.

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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