Our sages taught us that the first thing a Jew does in the morning is thanking Hashem for “waking up” – "מודה אני לפניך" – We expect to wake up in the morning and be able to walk, to see, to hear, to be free, to be healthy. What seams to us natural, what we take for granted, is still a “miracle” and for that we should be grateful.
The Talmud teaches us that our foremother Leah names her fourth male child Judah, whose name in Hebrew means "praise" or "thanks”. She saw that she had been given more than her fair share, and saw fit to give thanks to Hashem for her blessing. (Last week’s parshat Vayetze)
In this week's Parshat Vayishlach, we learn from Leah’s husband Jacob a great lesson regarding the trait of gratitude. Jacob said, "I have become small from all of the kindnesses and from all of the truth that You have done with Your servant, because with my staff did I pass over this Jordan [river] and now I have become two camps (Gen. 32:11)." Jacob is expressing how he is so totally grateful to God for the great chesed, kindness, of developing him into a large and prosperous family.
This week, as we all celebrate in America the holiday of Thanksgiving, we add a new understanding to our perspective of appreciating our gratitude. We recognize the value of our amazing school community, our diligent and respectful students, our dedicated and reliable staff and teachers, our kind and supportive families and friends. For that and for them, like our foremother Leah, let us be truly thankful…for we have been given more than we deserve.
“Begin each day with a grateful heart,”
Morah Miriam
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