thanksgiving lesson plan - a jewish perspective

8/14/2019 Thanksgiving Lesson Plan - A Jewish Perspective

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Giving Thanks; A Jewish PerspectiveGiving Thanks; A Jewish PerspectiveSubtitled: Thanksgiving is a Kosher HolidaySubtitled: Thanksgiving is a Kosher Holiday

Goal:Goal:When given the question, What is the Jewish viewpoint towards thanks and theWhen given the question, What is the Jewish viewpoint towards thanks and the

American holiday of Thanksgiving? The student will be able to demonstrate eitherAmerican holiday of Thanksgiving? The student will be able to demonstrate eitherthrough discussion or essay their position citing authentic Jewish sources.through discussion or essay their position citing authentic Jewish sources.

Audience:Audience: Age 13 through 18 (for a classroom setting)Age 13 through 18 (for a classroom setting)

Overview:Overview:

These three lessons are going to explore the meaning of thankfulness, theThese three lessons are going to explore the meaning of thankfulness, theJewish viewpoint towards giving thanks, and then to evaluate the AmericanJewish viewpoint towards giving thanks, and then to evaluate the Americanholiday, Thanksgiving, from the Jewish perspective. We will be reading a varietyholiday, Thanksgiving, from the Jewish perspective. We will be reading a varietyof materials, participating in discussions, and completing several related activities.of materials, participating in discussions, and completing several related activities.

Three sections containing information, discussion points and worksheetThree sections containing information, discussion points and worksheet

I.I. General Concept of ThankfulnessGeneral Concept of Thankfulness

II. Rituals for Demonstrating Thankfulness in JudaismRituals for Demonstrating Thankfulness in Judaism

III.III. Is Thanksgiving Kosher?Is Thanksgiving Kosher?

Materials:Materials:

1. Handouts (all provided)Handouts (all provided)

2.2. Writers journalWriters journal

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IINTRODUCTION:NTRODUCTION:

1. Read the short story Read the short story The HandThe Hand, Handout #1, Handout #1

2.2. Ask students to share something they are thankful for.Ask students to share something they are thankful for.

3.3. Share what you, the teacher, are thankful for.Share what you, the teacher, are thankful for.

4.4. Acknowledge that we all have many things to be thankful for.Acknowledge that we all have many things to be thankful for.

5. Explain to the students the purpose of the Unit.Explain to the students the purpose of the Unit.

Input and Activities (Lesson I-Input and Activities (Lesson I-General Concept of Thankfulness ):General Concept of Thankfulness ):

1. Pass out Handout #2, the traditional definitions of the related terms.1. Pass out Handout #2, the traditional definitions of the related terms.

Ask students to complete the bottom portion of the handout, filling in theirAsk students to complete the bottom portion of the handout, filling in theirpersonal definition for Nullified to another, Pass it on, and Pay it forward.personal definition for Nullified to another, Pass it on, and Pay it forward.

2. Distribute and read Handout #3, excerpts from2. Distribute and read Handout #3, excerpts from Happiness is a Serious ProblemHappiness is a Serious Problem, by, byDennis Prager and Handout #4,Dennis Prager and Handout #4, Thanksgiving: Gratitude and Happiness-3 LevelsThanksgiving: Gratitude and Happiness-3 Levels,,

by Edi Sowers.by Edi Sowers.

3. Pass out Heart Chart, Activity #1. Explain and model completing the chart.3. Pass out Heart Chart, Activity #1. Explain and model completing the chart.

Assessing Understanding (Lesson I):Assessing Understanding (Lesson I):

Ask students to compose an essay describing a family member who exhibits acts ofAsk students to compose an essay describing a family member who exhibits acts ofthankfulness in his/her daily life. Remind students to incorporate examplesthankfulness in his/her daily life. Remind students to incorporate examplesconnected to the related terms.connected to the related terms.

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3/27

THE HANDTHE HAND

Handout #1Handout #1

At first it sounded like a Thanksgiving story, but the more I reflected on it, the more appropriate itseemed for any time of the year. The way I heard it, the story went like this: Thanksgiving Day wasnear. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment -- to draw a picture of something forwhich they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebratethe holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought,would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was theteacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas waslikely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful,he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessedit was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer,because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of G-d, for G-dfeeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, andasked him whose hand it was. The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the otherstudents. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show youhow to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher'shand. Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parentsparenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world.They might not always say thanks. But they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

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4/27

Definitions of Related Terms

Handout #2

Gratitude: the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful: He expressed his gratitude toeveryone on the staff.

Acknowledgement: the act of accepting the truth: Every expression of thanks that oneperson gives to another is really a form of admitting. People sometimes havedifficulty saying thank you to another person because it implies that the first person needed thesecond. People who are very arrogant dont want to admit that they need something fromsomeone else. Thus, thanking someone is related to the idea of admitting something

Appreciation: An expression of gratitude; He expressed his appreciation in a short note."

Thankfulness:

Noun 1. thanks - an acknowledgment of appreciationacknowledgement, acknowledgment- a statement acknowledging something or someone; "she

must have seen him but she gave no sign of acknowledgment"; "the preface contained anacknowledgment of those who had helped her"thank you- a conversational expression of gratitudecurtain call,bow - an appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order toacknowledge the applause of the audience

2. thanks - with the help of or owing to; "thanks to hard work it was a great success"assist, assistance,help,aid - the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance ofan effort or purpose; "he gave me an assist with the housework"; "could not walk withoutassistance"; "rescue party went to their aid"; "offered his help in unloading"

.

Complete the following:

Personal Definitions:

Nullified to another:_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Pass it on:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pay it forward:___________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

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http://www.thefreedictionary.com/acknowledgementhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/acknowledgmenthttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/acknowledgmenthttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/thank+youhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/thank+youhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/curtain+callhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/bowhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/bowhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/assisthttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/assistancehttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/assistancehttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/helphttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/aidhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/aidhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/acknowledgementhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/acknowledgmenthttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/thank+youhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/curtain+callhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/bowhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/assisthttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/assistancehttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/helphttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/aid


5/27

Excerpts fromHappiness is a Serious ProblemHappiness is a Serious Problemby Dennis Pragerby Dennis Prager


''There is a `secret to happiness,''' Prager writes, ''and it is gratitude. All happy

people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to thinkthat it is being unhappy that leads people to complain, but it is truer to saythat it is complaining that leads to people becoming unhappy. Becomegrateful and you will become a much happier person.''

This is a keen observation, and it helps explain why the Judeo-Christian traditionplaces such emphasis on thanking G-d. The liturgy is filled with expressionsof gratitude. ''It is good to give thanks to the Lord,'' begins the 92nd Psalm.Why? Because G-d needs our gratitude? No: because we need it.

Learning to be thankful, whether to G-d or to other people, is the bestvaccination against taking good fortune for granted. And the less you take

for granted, the more pleasure and joy life will bring you.If you never give a moment's thought to the fact that your health is good, that

your children are well-fed, that your home is comfortable, that your nation isat peace, if you assume that the good things in your life are ''normal'' and tobe expected, you diminish the happiness they can bring you. By contrast, ifyou train yourself to reflect on how much worse off you could be, if youdevelop the custom of counting your blessings and being grateful for them,you will fill your life with cheer.

It can be hard to do. Like most useful skills, it takes years of practice before itbecomes second nature. This is one reason, Prager writes, that religion,

sincerely practiced, leads to happiness it ingrains the habits ofthankfulness. People who thank G-d before each meal, for example, inculategratitude in themselves. In so doing, they open the door to gladness.

In a sense, gratitude is an expression of modesty. In Hebrew, the word forgratitude - hoda'ah is the same as the word for confession. To offer thanksis to confess dependence, to acknowledgment that others have the power tobenefit you, to admit that your life is better because of their efforts. Thatframe of mind is indispensable to civilized society.

Be thankful. Don't take the gifts in your life for granted. Remember - as thePilgrims remembered - that we are impoverished without each other, and

without G-d. Whoever and wherever you are this Thanksgiving, the good inyour life outweighs the bad. If that doesn't deserve our gratitude, what does?

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6/27

Thanksgiving: Gratitude and Happiness - 3 Levels,

by Edi Sowers

Handout #4

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, its time for a check-up to see how our hearts are doing

and I dont mean cardio-vascular health. Im talking about the condition of our gratitude heart.

The level of gratitude we practice on a regular basis has a direct and specific correlation to ourlevel of contentment and happiness.

Take a look at the 3 levels of gratitude to determine your current condition, and decide what stepsyou can take to improve your "heart health."

Level One Beginner

This gratitude level presumes that one has made a bold leap to be intentional about gratefulness on aregular basis. A gratitude beginner is someone who has decided to make a habit of carving out onesmall slice of each day to focus on and talk about gratefulness.

A suggested starting point for a beginner is to develop a family dinner-time tradition where everyoneshares one thing from their day for which they are grateful.

Level Two Intermediate

The intermediate level is even more focused on the intentional, planned, chosen act of being grateful.It goes beyond selecting one thing out of the day to share with family. This level requires a more in-depth commitment to making gratitude a way of life.

Many people at this level keep a gratitude journal, and find that the act of writing down the thingsfor which they are grateful develops a heart which is more inclined towards gratefulness throughoutthe entire day.

A good place to start for this level is to make a habit of writing at least 5 items per day that you aregrateful to have in your life: a person, a thing, a place, a circumstance, a skill, an experience, etc. Bymaking this a daily habit, your heart will begin to respond more readily towards gratefulness.

Level Three Advanced

Your gratitude heart is in tip-top shape when you reach the advanced level. This level isdemonstrated by an attitude of thankfulness even in the midst of trouble.

Not many people operate at this level on an ongoing basis from day to day. With G-ds help andstrength, we are able to see beyond circumstances and realize that there can be some greater good,even in the midst of difficulty.

If you have had the privilege of knowing someone who has reached the advanced level of gratitude,you can attest to how inspiring, humbling, and encouraging it is to have them in your life.

The Level One and Two gratitude habits must be maintained and expanded upon in order to reachthe Advanced Gratitude level.

Only when we are able and willing to look beyond our circumstances, humble ourselves, andmaintain a posture of prayer in our heart, will we truly have a life overflowing with the gift ofgratefulness.

May you begin to experience ever-increasing levels of gratitude in your life, starting today.

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7/27

ACTIVITY #1ACTIVITY #1

Students keep a Heart Chart for the next weekStudents keep a Heart Chart for the next week

Gratitude Level 1Gratitude Level 1

(Share one thing from your(Share one thing from yourday which you areday which you are

grateful)grateful)


(List 5 items per day that(List 5 items per day thatyou are grateful to have inyou are grateful to have in

your life)your life)


(List people who(List people whoexemplify the advancedexemplify the advanced

level of gratitude)level of gratitude)

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8/27

Input and Activities (Lesson II-Rituals for DemonstratingInput and Activities (Lesson II-Rituals for Demonstrating

Thankfulness in Judaism):Thankfulness in Judaism):

1. Ask students if they think thankfulness is a Jewish concept. Ask students to siteAsk students if they think thankfulness is a Jewish concept. Ask students to site

examples of Thankfulness mentioned in Jewish texts.examples of Thankfulness mentioned in Jewish texts.

2. Pass out and read Handout #5, Jewish Sources for the Concept of ThanksPass out and read Handout #5, Jewish Sources for the Concept of ThanksGiving-Hodaah and Handout #6, Jewish Sources for Thankfulness in PrayerGiving-Hodaah and Handout #6, Jewish Sources for Thankfulness in Prayer

3.3. Ask students to analyze the similarities and differences between the Jewish andAsk students to analyze the similarities and differences between the Jewish andgeneral concept of Thankfulness-Hodaah. Either in groups or individually,general concept of Thankfulness-Hodaah. Either in groups or individually,students complete the Compare and Contrast Chart, Activity #2students complete the Compare and Contrast Chart, Activity #2

4. Distribute and read handout #7, Thanksgiving in Daily Prayer -Distribute and read handout #7, Thanksgiving in Daily Prayer - Mizmor LtodahMizmor Ltodah(text of Psalm #100 and explanation by Rabbi Ephraim Epstein)(text of Psalm #100 and explanation by Rabbi Ephraim Epstein)

5. Give out and read the story,Give out and read the story, A World of ThanksA World of Thanks Handout #8Handout #8

6. On Activity #3, instruct students to write a personal prayer of Thanksgiving.On Activity #3, instruct students to write a personal prayer of Thanksgiving.Make copies of students prayers, forming a class Prayer Book for eachMake copies of students prayers, forming a class Prayer Book for eachstudent.student.

7. Provide each student with a copy of Handout #9, Chassidic Understanding ofProvide each student with a copy of Handout #9, Chassidic Understanding ofThanksgiving, based on an audio presentation by Rabbi Yitzchak GinsburgThanksgiving, based on an audio presentation by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg10/26/06. Explain the five possible roots of the Hebrew word. Clarify the10/26/06. Explain the five possible roots of the Hebrew word. Clarify the

concept of the ten Sefirot and the position of Hod.concept of the ten Sefirot and the position of Hod.

8. Activity #4, Fun sheet involving the number 15Activity #4, Fun sheet involving the number 15 (())

Assessing Understanding (Lesson II):

1. Distribute prepared Thankfulness Journal or students can provide theirown writing notebook. Explain to the students that they are to consider theiractivities at the end of each day; recording in their journal blessings or thingsthey should be thankful for and identifying occasions when they consciouslyexpressed thank you.

2. You may assign students to do this activity for one week or more.

3. Determine appropriate goals for individual students or the class.

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9/27

Thanksgiving (Hodaah))

Thanksgiving is the Essence of the JewHandout #5

Even the titleJew, stems from the name , Yehudah, so called since hismother Leah expressed her profound thanksgivingto HaShem for his birth

Psalm 92, 2 it is good to thank G-d, and to sing praises to your High name.Thanking is a vital part of Judaism.

We have a value hacarat hatov appreciating the good. Bereshit Torahsays that there was no one to work the Garden of Eden Rashi says no oneto recognize the good of rain.

Opposite this is cafui tov lack of appreciation of the good. Good example Adam eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

We thank G-d for His miracles these can be hidden miracles. Book of Esther

things happening at appropriate times in weird ways. We call Moshe based on the name given by his step mother (daughter of

Paroh), and not the name given to him by his parents at birth

Matzah model of korban todah, stimulating the concept of thanksgivinginherent in the night of the Seder

Only if the bnei Yisroel had the characteristic of being grateful to their formerhost, would Hashem be willing to perform the miracle of splitting the sea, ratherthan subjecting them to do war with the Egyptians at the Sea

Yosef did not want to turn against his hostess with physical force, even at thecost of leaving incriminating evidence in her hands. When the "yam suf" sawthe casket which held Yosef, it was willing to cooperate, even against its nature,and split. This avoided having the bnei Yisroel engage in combat with theirformer hosts, thus enabling them to show their gratefulness

Yisro was reluctant to come to the bnei Yisroel as he had been a priest for idolworship in Midyon. He thought that he might be rejected. However, uponseeing a display of gratefulness on the part of the bnei Yisroel, he knew hewould not be rejected, as he had given Moshe refuge at the time of his need.

Upon hearing of the splitting of the sea he wondered why a miracle wasnecessary and concluded that the bnei Yisroel did not want to forcefully standup against their former hosts. This could indicate their gratefulness, althoughnot conclusively. Perhaps they were unable to wage war. When he also heardthat they had successfully battled against the powerful Amalek nation, he knewthat they were capable of waging war, and the only reason the sea split was

because the bnei Yisroel were imbued with the middoh of "hakoras tova." If so,they would not reject him either, and therefore he came to the bnei Yisroel.

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10/27

PRAYER

Handout #6

Gratitude is the essence of life. Upon wakening from sleep (resemblance todeath), we say Modeh Ani. The Midrash (Bereshis Rabbah 14:11) says thatfor every single breath we take, we should express our thanks to G-d for the giftof life

begins the 17th blessing of Shemoneh Esrei. The numical value of is 100, alluding to the Talumdic dictum (Menachos 43b), that a person isobligated to make at least one hundred blessings very day. King Dovid also

placed the Psalm as the one hundredth Psalm Modim DeRabbanan Modim of the Rabbis Talmud asks what do community

say when Chazan says Modim various Rabbis offer different possibilities finally we say all of them

Yerushalmi (Brachos 2:10) states that we must show gratitude to the head, aswhen one is praying Shmoneh Esrei and reaches the blessing of Modim, thehead bows down automatically

When we bow, we focus on breaking our stubbornness and unwillingness to

listen to G-d, who does the ultimately good for us. After breaking our shells,we straighten up, with the ability to face G-d, to fulfill our purpose.

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11/27

Thanksgiving in Daily Prayer

Handout #7Remember - Tefillah without Kavannah is like a Guf without a Neshama.

(Prayer without concentration is likened to a body without a soul)Rabbi Ephraim Epstein http://www.sonsisrael.com/

Mizmor Letodah

This short psalm #100 written by Moshe Rabbeinu Moses was recited by the Levites at theTemple when a thanksgiving offering was being sacrificed.

There are four different times when a thanksgiving offering was brought. It was brought byone who was released from jail, one who traveled the ocean, one who was healed fromsickness, and one who traveled the desert.

Rav Schwab points out in his book that although this prayer refers to korbanotsacrifices; itnevertheless is not located in our prayers amidst all of the other korbanot. Why not? He

explains based on the Midrash Rabbah Vayikra that in the Messianic era all voluntaryofferings will cease except for the Thanksgiving offering. The reason for this is that once theMoshiach Messiah arrives, there will no longer be a need for personal and/or nationalrequests. However, there will always be the need to be thankful.

The Hebrew phrase for thanks is Hakarat Hatov. The literal translation of the words isRecognition of Good. This implies that the way that one comes to gratitude is through therecognition of the good provided by another. How often do we take for granted the gooddone for us by our spouse, family, friends, and of course G-d Himself? How often do we noteven notice the good provided by others? We enjoy food, clothing, health, air, vision, taste.without even noticing it.

HaRav Yechezkel Abramski ztl would pause as he entered his home in the evening andcontemplate anything and everything his wife had done for him that day and only then didhe enter.

The Korban of thanksgiving is different than the other Korbanot. It reflects eternity and isrelevant in this world and the world to come. So too, expressing thanksgiving is an eternalcharacter attribute that brings joy to the provider as well as the recipient.

It is interesting to note that if one arrives late and must skip a prayer or two in order to catchup to the chazzan Jewish law indicates that one should NOT skip Mizmor Letodah because

of its importance.

May we all express proper thanksgiving in our prayers and in our personal relationships. Andmay we soon be able to bring the Thanksgiving offering in the Beit Hamikdash.

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12/27

STORY

Handout #8

A World of Thanks

Rabbi Yisrael Salanter once visited Paris to influence the assimilated Jews to return toTorah. One day he went to an elegant restaurant to meet some Jews that frequentedthat establishment. All Rabbi Salanter ordered was water. When he was ready toleave, the waiter presented him with a bill for the large sum of 40 frances. Whydid you charge so much for a glass of water? asked Rabbi Salanter. The waiterreplied, Monsieur, you must realize that you are not merely paying for a simpleglass of water. You are paying for the surroundings, the ambience. You are paying

for the gorgeous furniture, tableware, carpeting, and chandeliers, not to mentionthe view!

The answer struck a chord in Rav Yisraels heart. He hastened back to his lodging andwrote a letter to his disciples. For a long time I have puzzled by the fact that werecite a very lofty and all-inclusive blessing for a plain glass of water saying,Blessed are You, HaShem, our G-d, King of the universe, , throughWhose word everything came to be. But from the words of waiter in Paris I learntthat we are not merely thanking G-d for the glass of water. We are also expressingour appreciation for the magnificent surroundings in which G-d serves the water to

us. We are thanking G-d for the fresh air we breathe as we drink the water, and forthe sun which gives us light and for the tree which shades us. In short, wheneverwe thank G-d forone thing, we should use it as an opportunity to thank G-d foreverything.

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13/27


14/27

Within each sefirah, exists each of the ten levels.

Thus, there are 10 levels of Hod within Hod

(4= (15 ( (6 (5 (

Chochmah"Wisdom"

(15 (15 ( )

Giving thanks can fix the negative attributeof haughtiness

Binah

"Understanding"

A sick person has closed or cloggedpours; Giving thanks opens ones mindand heart

Da'at

"Knowledge"

" is the one consonant in all the roots; poor"person characterizes "shiflut," "lowliness,"the consciousness of possessing nothing of

one's own

door to enter G-ds dwelling place below

Chesed

"Loving-kindness"Gratis gift; underserved action of giving

Gevurah

"Might"Release from prison of ones negative

inclinations

Tiferet"Beauty" Compassionate act of giving another anadditional opportunity

Netzach

"Victory"Being victorious by freeing oneself from loss

of consciousness from negative energy

Hod

"Splendour"To thrust, to put out positive vibes into the

world

Yesod

"Foundation"Procreate is the power of creation; potent

ability to pass it on to others

Malchut"Kingdom

Concept of echo spontaneous thanks, doingit over again and again

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15/27

1

ACTIVITY #4

(thanks) numerical value is 15

24 hours in the day

Decide which of the following concepts are from 15 or from 24:

________ Number of years the three Avos were together in this world

________ Verses that Avrohom, Yitzchak and Yaacov are listed in order

________ Steps in the Bais HaMikdash from the Ezras HaNashim to Ezras

Yisrael

________ Number of Books in Tanach

________ Waters of the Flood of Noach rose this number of Amos above the

highest mountain top

________ Number of hours that the Avos were involved in thoughts of heavenly

matters

________ Stages in the Hagadah and in the Divine Kindnesses of Dayainu

________ Number of Gifts to the Cohanim

________ Number of Mishmarin of Cohanim (serve a week in BaisHaMikdash)

________ Years added to the life of Chizkiyahu HaMelek after doing Teshuvah

________ Number of generations from the Golden Calf to the destruction of

the First Bais HaMikdash

________ Favors done by G-d to the Jews in Mitzraim ;( , -)materials donated to the Mishkah by the Jews (in response)

________ Number of times that the Cohanim are referred to as Leviim

________ Years that the Baal Shem Tov, The Maggid and the Alter Rebbe were

alive in this world together

________ Years that the Alter Rebbe, The Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzamech

Tzedek were alive in this world together

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16/27

ANSWER SHEET

___15___ Number of Years The Three Avos Were Together in this World

___24___ Verses that Avrohom, Yitzchak and Yaacov are listed in order

___15___ Steps in the Bais HaMikdash from the Ezras HaNashim to Ezras

Yisrael

___24___ Number of Books in Tanach

___15___ Waters of the Flood of Noach rose this number of Amos above the

highest mountain top

___24___ Number of hours that the Avos were involved in thoughts of heavenly

matters

___15___ Stages in the Hagadah and in the Divine Kindnesses of Dayainu

___24___ Number of Gifts to the Cohanim

___24___ Number of Mishmarin of Cohanim (serve a week in Bais

HaMikdash)

___15___ Years added to the life of Chizkiyahu HaMelek after doing Teshuvah

___15___ Number of generations from the Golden Calf to the destruction of

the First Bais HaMikdash

___15___ Favors done by G-d to the Jews in Mitzraim ;( , -)materials donated to the Mishkah by the Jews (in response)

___24___ Number of times that the Cohanim are referred to as Leviim

___15___ Years that the Baal Shem Tov, The Maggid and the Alter Rebbe werealive in this world together

___24___ Years that the Alter Rebbe, The Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzamech

Tzedek were alive in this world together

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17/27

Thankfulness Journal

(Assessment Lesson II)

Things I Am Thankful For Things I Said Thank You For

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

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Input and Activities (LessonInput and Activities (Lesson III - Is Thanksgiving Kosher):III - Is Thanksgiving Kosher):

1. Ask the students for their initial reaction to the question, Is Thanksgiving aAsk the students for their initial reaction to the question, Is Thanksgiving aKosher holiday to celebrate?Kosher holiday to celebrate?

2. Pass out and have the students read to themselves Handout #10, The History ofPass out and have the students read to themselves Handout #10, The History ofthe American Thanksgiving.the American Thanksgiving.

3. Ask students to share their opinions regarding the current celebration ofAsk students to share their opinions regarding the current celebration ofThanksgiving in America. Is the holiday of Thanksgiving essentially a religiousholiday, a secular holiday, or an ambiguous one?

4. Distribute and have the students read Handout #11 A Kosher HolidayThanksgiving one Rabbis viewpoint and Handout #12 A review ofA review ofHalachaHalacha

Assessing Understanding (Lesson III):Assessing Understanding (Lesson III):Students should write a one-page statement to be recited at the family meal on

Thanksgiving (or a nearby family meal). The student should express ifThanksgiving can (or should) be observed by Jews. They should includeexamples from Jewish sources to support their point of view.

Closure Handout #13, Poem in honor of Thanks GivingClosure Handout #13, Poem in honor of Thanks Giving

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The History of American ThanksgivingThe History of American Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. It is no longer (and perhaps never was) a celebrationaffiliated with any particular religion or faith, although some in America celebrate with religiousceremonies. On a social level, it is celebrated by Americans of a broad variety of religiousbackgrounds. One witnesses different forms of celebrating(1) Thanksgiving currently in America. Isthe holiday of Thanksgiving is essentially a religious holiday, a secular holiday, or an ambiguousone. (2)

The History of American Thanksgiving (3)

Before any halachic analysis can be done, it is necessary to place the observance of the holiday ofThanksgiving in America in the proper historical context. The first Thanksgiving day celebration washeld in response to the survival by the pilgrims of the particularly harsh winter of 1622/3. Not onlydid the colonists themselves celebrate, but food was sufficiently plenty that even the Indians with

whom the colonists were at peace with were invited. This celebration took place on July 30, 1623 (inthe middle of the summer). Similar celebrations occurred throughout the New England areathroughout the 1600's. (4)However, they were only local (rather than national or even regional)celebrations of Thanksgiving -- and only to mark the end of a particularly difficult winter -- until1789. (5)

In 1789, Congressman Elias Boudinot of New Jersey proposed in Congress a resolution urgingPresident Washington to:

Recommend to the people of the United States a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer to

be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of the

Almighty G-d, especially by affording them an opportunity to establish a Constitution ofgovernment for their safety and happiness. (6)

After quite a debate, President Washington issued the first National Thanksgiving Proclamation,assigning November 26, 1789 as Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Washington stated in hisproclamation:

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to

be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who

is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then

all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and

protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signaland manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and

conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we

have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled

to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the

national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are

blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in

general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.(7)

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http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_1_#N_1_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_1_#N_1_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_2_#N_2_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_3_#N_3_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_3_#N_3_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_4_#N_4_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_4_#N_4_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_5_#N_5_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_6_#N_6_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_7_#N_7_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_1_#N_1_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_2_#N_2_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_3_#N_3_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_4_#N_4_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_5_#N_5_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_6_#N_6_http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#N_7_#N_7_


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7. See J. Richardson, Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1:64. Washington continued, stating:

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord

and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all,

whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to

render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just,

and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns

and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace,

and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of scienceamong them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He

alone knows to be best.

8. Indeed, Thomas Jefferson strongly objected to these pronouncements. He wrote:

Fasting and prayer are religious exercises; the enjoining them an act of discipline. Every religious society has a right todetermine for itself the times for these exercises, and the objects proper for them, according to their own particulartenets; and this right can never be safer than in their own hands, where the Constitution has deposited it.

A. Lipscomb ed., Writings of Thomas Jefferson 11:429 (1904).

9. New York State attempted to revive the holiday of Thanksgiving in 1795. However, this attempt failed because of abasic disagreement between various commercial interests over when the holiday should be celebrated.

Southern states, for many years before 1846, issued Thanksgiving day proclamations, many of which were overtlyChristian, and which raised considerable protests from the Jewish community. For example:

When James H. Hammond, governor of South Carolina, announced a day of "Thanksgiving, Humiliation, and Prayer"in 1844, he ... exhorted "our citizens of all denominations to assemble at their respective places of worship, to offer uptheir devotions to G-d their Creator, and his Son Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world." The Jews of Charlestonprotested, charging Hammond with "such obvious discrimination and preference in the tenor of your proclamation, asamounted to an utter exclusion of a portion of the people of South Carolina." Hammond responded that "I have alwaysthought it a settled matter that I lived in a Christian land! And that I was the temporary chief magistrate of a Christianpeople. That in such a country and among such a people I should be, publicly, called to an account, reprimanded and

required to make amends for acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the world, I would not have believedpossible, if it had not come to pass".

M. Borden,Jews, Turks, and Infidels 142 n.2 (1984). Such overtly Christian proclamations have not been signed since1860.

10. Roughly parallel to the modernLadies Home Journal.

11. There was some controversy concerning the proper date for Thanksgiving, as in 1934 President Roosevelt switchedthe day of Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to the second-to-last Thursday in November whenNovember has five weeks. This was done to change the nation's shopping pattern and increase spending. While someobjected to this mercantile approach to the holiday, Roosevelt -- and mercantilism -- triumphed and Thanksgiving hasbeen celebrated in the second to last week of November since that year.

12. 673 F.Supp. 1524 (D. Haw. 1987)

13.Lynch v. Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668 (1984);Allegheny v. American Civil Liberties Union , 492 U.S. 573 (1989).

14. This is noted quite clearly by Rabbi Menashe Klein, Mishnah Halacha 10:116, discussed infra.

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A Kosher Holiday Thanksgiving


I was born into a modern American religious family on my father's side. I was especially proud to bea fourth-generation American Jew. I played a great game of baseball, enjoyed reading the Sunday

funnies and celebrated American holidays.

My mother's family was the complete opposite. They all came from Europe and had no appreciationfor baseball or any American pastimes.

Growing up in the '50s I went to a small cheder, a Jewish school. Almost all of my classmates werechildren of refugees.

One year I was introduced to a very strict, no-nonsense Jewish teacher - called a rebbe. This rebbehad very little patience for me, as I was very different from his European students. I was anAmerican - a Yankee boy.

According to my rebbe's thinking, all American customs were taboo. They were considered "traif,"non-kosher. Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July were all jumbled into one bigno-no. They were American and were out of bounds!

He claimed that a Bible law forbids the Jewish nation to emulate the ways of other nations. Hewould quote the biblical verse Leviticus 18:3: "Neither shall ye walk in their statutes; do not followtheir social customs."

However, not all Jews think that way, as we shall see.

A week before Thanksgiving my father called up my European grandparents and told them that hehad received an 18 pound turkey from his synagogue's caterer. This was a gift to our large family forThanksgiving. On Thursday we would have a Thanksgiving repast.

That Monday the rebbe made a speech. "Thanksgiving is forbidden. It is a pagan holiday. No Jewishboy is allowed to eat turkey."

Now I was in trouble. I thought that if I ate turkey my teeth would fall out. What would I do? I toldmy rebbe about the early Indians and the first Thanksgiving. I thought he would realize thatThanksgiving could be considered a good deed for both Jews and Gentiles. I tried to tell him aboutthe friendly Indians; how they saved the starving Puritans; that the Thanksgiving meal reminds us ofthe foods the Indians showed the settlers and it taught them how to survive through the roughwinters in the new world. This was a mitzvah, a good deed, to share and give thanks to G-d.

"Yingele (sonny boy), I told you we don't celebrate these holidays. It is forbidden to even listen toyour bubbemeises (tall tales)."

That night I told my dad that I wouldn't participate in a pagan holiday. "It's against the Bible," I said.He flew into a rage. I thought he was going to clobber me.

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"You are an American, a fourth generation American. Be happy that you have a country that believesin G-d. If anything, Thanksgiving is a Jewish idea." He told my mother that if this continues he willtake me out of that cheder, the Jewish school.

For the next few years my father bought a large turkey for Thanksgiving and we had two turkeymeals: one on the American Thanksgiving and one on the following Shabbos. We now celebratedThanksgiving on the Jewish holy day of Sabbath.

I thought that my dad had a point. Thanksgiving, indeed, was a holiday that fit into the Jewish ideaof remembering G-d's goodness in providing us with our needs. Thus, we could have Thanksgivingevery Sabbath.

I dont remember if Thanksgiving became a kosher holiday or not, but we solved our familydilemma.

On Oct. 3, 1863 Abraham Lincoln signed the original Thanksgiving Proclamation. In it he stated,"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these manyyears in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has

ever grown.

"But we have forgotten G-d. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace andmultiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness ofour hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity ofredeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the G-d that made us.

"It has seemed to me fit and proper that G-d should be solemnly, reverently and gratefullyacknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do, therefore,invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those

who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a dayof Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."

I think if my Rebbe would have seen this wonderful proclamation, then he might have joined us inprayer at the Thanksgiving meal.

Rabbi Eli Hecht, Chabad of South Bay

Vice-President, Rabbinical Alliance of America

Phone:(310) 326-8234 Fax:(310) 326-1555, Cell:(310) 528-4812, E-mail [email protected]

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Is Thanksgiving Kosher?Applying Jewish law to turkey day By Rabbi Michael Broyde


To most American Jews, even most Orthodox Jews, there is no question about the appropriateness ofcelebrating Thanksgiving; to them, it is a secular holiday that represents values important in Judaismand in American culture. To many traditionalist Jews, however, commemorating any non-Jewishholiday raises questions about biblical and rabbinic law forbidding Jews to imitate non-Jewishcustoms and traditions. In the following article, the author looks at the question from this vantagepoint, demonstrating how one would apply halakhic (Jewish legal) reasoning to the issue of whetherit is permissible for Orthodox Jews to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. It is no longer (and perhaps never was) a celebrationaffiliated with any particular religion or faith, although some in America celebrate with religiousceremonies.

The first and most significant issue in discussing whether it is halakhic [acceptable according toJewish law] to celebrate Thanksgiving is whether it is permissible to eat a Thanksgiving meal, withthe classical foods that American tradition indicates one should eat at this meal: turkey and cranberry

sauce. Among the authorities of the previous generation, three different positions have been taken onthis topic, and these three positions have each been accepted by various halakhic authorities of thecurrent generation.

The Legal Background

However, before these three positions can be understood, a certain background into the nature of theprohibition against imitating Gentile customs must be understood. Tosafot [a medieval Talmudcommentary] understands that two distinctly different types of customs are forbidden by theprohibition of imitating Gentile customs found in Leviticus 18:3. The first is idolatrous customs andthe second is foolish customs found in the Gentile community, even if their origins are notidolatrous.

Rabbenu Nissim and Maharik disagree and rule that only customs that have a basis in idolatrouspractices are prohibited. Apparently foolish--but secular--customs are permissible so long as theyhave a reasonable explanation (and are not immodest). Normative Halakhah follows the ruling of theRan and Maharik.

The Approach of Rabbi Feinstein

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein has four published responsa [rabbinic rulings] on the issues related tocelebrating Thanksgiving, all of which conclude that Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday but asecular one. The first responsum, written in 1953, discusses the deliberate scheduling of weddingsand the like on religious holidays of other faiths. Rabbi Feinstein states:

"On the question of celebrating any event on a holiday of Gentiles, if the holiday is based onreligious beliefs [by the Gentiles], such celebrations are prohibited if deliberately scheduled on thatday; even without intent, it is prohibited because of marit ayin . . . The first day of year for them[January 1] and Thanksgiving is not prohibited according to law, but pious people [balai nefesh]should be strict."

Rabbi Feinstein reinforces his understanding that Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday in aresponsum published in 1980. He states:

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Handout #13

Poem in honor of Turkey Day

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,My big brother Mike took me out on the stoopThen he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,And he told me there was something that I had to know;

His look and his tone I will always remember,When he told me of the horrors of..... Bleak November;"Come about August, now listen to me,Each day you'll get six meals instead of just three,"

"And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin,And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin;""And then one morning, when you're warm in your bed,In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head;"

"Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald 'n pink,And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink;""And then comes the worst part" he said not bluffing,"She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing".

Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked;

I began a new diet of nuts and granola,High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola;And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes;

I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;But 'twas I who was laughing, under my breath,As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death;

And sure enough when Bleak November rolled around,I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap;I haven't a worry, so I eat and I nap;

She held me today, while sewing and humming,And smiled at me and said;

"Ess Ess little birdy, Chanuka is coming..."

thanksgiving lesson plan - a jewish perspective

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