Gratitude

 Ekev

Deut. 7:12 - 11:25

 

Précis: Moses continues his recapitulation of the commandments to the people, reminding them to be obedient to God’s laws in their forthcoming struggle with the Canaanites. He describes in detail all of the blessings which God had already provided them, and reminds them to bless and thank God for the bounty they receive. On the other hand, they should follow the rebelliousness of their fathers, including the incident of the Golden Calf, punishment will occur.

 

Deut. 8:10 “When you have eaten your fill, and have built fine houses to live in, and your herds and flocks have multiplied . . . beware lest your heart grow haughty and . . . you say to yourselves, ‘My own power and the might of my own hand have won this wealth for me.’. . . Remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to get wealth . . .”

 

As I’ve noted before, this is the proof-text for the commandment of Birkat Hamazon, the blessing after meals. But actually, it is much more than that: it is a command to be grateful for what we have.

            These days, being grateful seems to be an emotion which is sadly lacking in our society. Particularly in these polarized political times, we all focus much too much on the negative (especially the negatives we perceive in others), and neglect to remind ourselves of the things for which we as Jewish Americans must in fact be grateful, including our right to practice our faith in a way we desire, in the socio-economic achievements we and our ancestors have made, and for many of us, the health and love of family.

            At the same time, we cannot see the world through rose-colored glasses. Those who seem to profess happiness in all things are either duplicitous or in self-denial. We cannot ignore the problems which so many in our community face, be it health issues, family disputes, or other causes of grief, including the rise of overt antisemitism. Nor can we ignore the issues which afflict our broader society, be it growing hatred of “the other,” the lack of faith in American institutions, the proliferation of absurd conspiracy theories, or the desire of so many to seek the destruction of their political “enemies.”

            Nevertheless, or more importantly, because of these challenges to our well-being as families or as a polity, expressions of gratitude are more important than ever. Seeing what is good and right around us, and remembering the Source of those blessings, is indeed a mitzvah worth remembering and observing.