On this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for many of the same things as many people. I’m thankful for my family, and their love and support. I’m thankful for good friends who stand by me and have shared so much with me, good and bad, many for decades. I’m thankful for my health.
And, especially this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for who we are, both as Americans and Jews. I’m thankful for both these identities equally. I’m thankful for the values we embrace.
I’m thankful for the teaching of the Torah that says “God provides justice to the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, and gives them food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deut. 10:18-19) This goes along with the admonition that “Cursed be the one who denies justice to the stranger, the fatherless and the widow.” (Deut. 27:19) I’m especially thankful that we are taught, “The stranger that journeys with you shall be as the native, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Lev. 19:34)
I’m thankful that we are taught to be a kind and compassionate people. I’m thankful that God teaches us that we should take our terrible experience in slavery not as license to treat other people badly, but as a demand for us to act with compassion and to help all people, even the stranger. I’m thankful that we Jews have taken the negative experiences we have had, the discriminations against us, and the times that others have ignored our suffering and pain, to dedicate ourselves to seeking justice, safety, security and sustenance for anyone in need, as much as we can.
I’m thankful that Jews have been at the forefront of efforts to help refugees and immigrants, whether Jewish or not. I’m thankful that we despise and combat discrimination and hate directed not only against us, but against any group. I’m thankful that we Jews stand for and stand with the innocent and needy, no matter who they are. As we cope with the recent terrorist attacks in Israel and France, and realize that the danger persists, I’m thankful for those who have raised their voices to remind us to maintain our commitment to justice and compassion. And so I add my voice to theirs. The worst thing we can do in response to terrorism is depart from our values and turn away those in need. Let us continue to adhere to our Torah, and strive even harder to be the compassionate people we want to be.
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