Thursday, November 24, 2005

On Giving Thanks

I really don't want to get into the whole issue of whether or not it is proper to celebrate Thanksgiving from a halachic standpoint. Suffice it to say that there are enough arguments on both sides of the issue. Personally, I enjoy having a day off, but, not being a big fan of turkey, I don't have it for Thanksgiving (or for any other day for that matter).

Nonetheless, there is certainly wrong with taking time out of one's day to give thanks for one's blessings. It is, of course, wholly appropriate to give hakaras hatov for the good things that one has in life.

Therefore, I'd like to give thanks to the following people...

... to my wife, for being with me through everything during our many years of marriage. She puts up with me despite mood swings, sloppiness, losing things [boy, do I lose things!] and other general character flaws. Nonetheless, I know that she loves me (because she's sitting right here telling me this while I'm typing) and for that I am thankful.

... to my kids for the joy that they bring into my life. Sure, they can be a handful sometimes, and sure they are responsible for at least some of the white hairs on my head, but I still couldn't imagine life without them.

... to my fellow bloggers, for helping to show me that there are other reasonable Jews out there; that I was not alone with my doubts and rationality. For providing laughs and ideas that provoke and make me think.

... to God above, for all the above mentioned blessings, plus the countless other things that He does for me and for my family on a constant basis.

For these things, and many others, I give thanks every day, whether or not it is Thanksgiving.

The Wolf

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

And for your gracious appreciation given on this most unholy of days, you are now officially: In Cherem!

Sincerely,

The Brooklyn Committee of Bans and Excommunications

Rabbi Ariel Sokolovsky said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Steg (dos iz nit der šteg) said...

...did he just say "Jehovah"? :-O

BrooklynWolf said...

Yeah, he did.

*sigh*

I don't need "rebbe as God" spam on my blog.

The Wolf