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Sitting at the Thanksgiving meal, my heart was filled with gratitude.  That’s the not-so-secret gravy of Thanksgiving that transcends any religion yet flows through all Americans. The ability to gather with family and friends over a shared meal is something that all of us can do, and lends itself to the narrative of America as a melting pot. It is rather likely that many have certain traditions associated with the day, be it who cooks what, going to a parade or watching one on the television, attending a football game or playing one in the yard or watching one on the television. Sometimes it means driving “over the river and through the woods”. But how do we give thanks?

Is recognition of all that we have sufficient? It is a good place to start, but not the finish. There are common needs that all Americans, indeed all people, seek and deserve. We all want a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, food on our tables, equal access to a quality education and equal opportunities for a good job with benefits. Being thankful begins with acknowledging what we have attained, and then being mindful of those who have not achieved these common needs. While the Declaration of Independence states that there are self-evident truths that all humans are desirous of, namely life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it does not guarantee them. That is where one day in our national calendar serves as a stark reminder of our bounty and those who are bounty-less. 

The proximity to Giving Tuesday, five days later, provides a format through which we can express our thankfulness. But one day is insufficient. We should be thankful every day for what we have, mindful of those who lack, and take tangible steps to express gratitude. For those who are blessed with discretionary funds, there are ample avenues to give. For those who can spare an equally precious commodity, time, there are also many avenues for sharing. 

Judaism has a word for generosity: Tzedakah. Its root is the word “tzedek”, meaning “righteousness”. How did “righteousness” lead to the cognate “generosity”? I think it is because Tzedakah is the right thing to do.  The Talmud teaches us that even the one in a community who thinks he is the poorest is required to give Tzedakah, because there is likely someone poorer than him.  While some mitzvot are time-bound, Tzedakah is not. Perhaps the lesson might be that opportunities for Tzedakah abound constantly and regularly. We must be mindful of them, and not require Giving Tuesday as a reminder to give Tzedakah, nor require one day a year to be thankful. 

Judaism teaches us to make these mitzvot a constant, but reminders are always welcomed. We should review during each day what we are thankful for, express gratitude to God, and seek paths to express our gratitude. These steps should be part of our daily routine, teaching us to not take anything for granted and improving the lives of others, so that they can be thankful for each of us.