A Message from Rabbi Rubinstein

November 2009

Dear Congregants,

There is a debate among famous rabbis quoted in the Talmud as to how and for what we should thank God.

The men of one Babylonian town said “Blessings and thanksgiving to Your (God’s) great Name because You have kept us alive and preserved us, seeing that we give You thanks.”

Another Rabbi immediately responded “So may You continue to keep us alive and be gracious to us…seeing that we give You thanks.”

After five suggestions as to how God should be thanked Rav Papa brilliantly concluded, “Let us recite them all.” (Sotah 40a)

The origins of the Shehecheyanu prayer (“We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.”) are found in this Talmudic passage. We continue and regularly use the same blessing today to celebrate joyful life cycles and communal gatherings. The sentiments are both simple and elegantly profound. We acknowledge that we cannot claim responsibility for all the wonderful events of our life. With humility we cannot even claim that we have the power to effectuate the general well-being of our lives.

In times when we are overcome with modest gratitude and rejoice for health, food and life itself, we thank God. When we hold a baby in our arms, watch those we love jubilantly laugh, feel boundless tenderness pulse through us or gaze on the wonder of creation, we thank God. And when we Jews take measure of history and recognize the infinite gift of freedom and justice in the United States, we should thank God.

We have so much for which to be grateful. I include our synagogue and you, the members of Central Synagogue, among the reasons for which I profoundly feel and offer thanks. I wish you the best for a content and meaningful Thanksgiving.

Warmly,
Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein