Xie Xie, Cam On, Merci, Gracias, Todah, and Thanks
After reading this week's parahsah, I was concerned about what I would present at our table. Other than creating a meat fest with various sources of animal protein, I was stumped. Thankfully, when our nephew was serving in the IDF several years ago, he sent an email update including a d'var torah on Parashat Vayikra that I held onto for inspiration. He wrote about the sacrifice offered as an act of thanksgiving to God for a personal miracle. According to the midrash, this is the only sacrifice that will be reinstated in the future, because we will never lose the need to recognize the good God does for us or to gratefully acknowledge God's benevolence. In addition, the Netziv explains that a festive meal should accompany the korban todah, thanksgiving sacrifice, to celebrate God's goodness and to share the reminiscences of God's salvation with others.
Hakarat hatov, expressing appreciation for the gifts in our lives, is a value we cherish in our family. For shabbat we will be borrowing from our U.S. vernacular and celebrating a Thanksgiving feast (turkey, cranberry, yams, etc.). However, we will be talking about the things for which we would like to thank God--the ways we recognize God's hashgachah in our lives. And for decorations: thank you signs in all different languages!
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
