The real meaning of Thanksgiving
November 22nd, 2006 | by Walter Greenspan |Thanksgiving is the most unique day on the American calendar: it’s the only day set aside as a day of thanking G-d, that is celebrated, each in their own manner, by the 3 Abrahamic religions.
The American pilgrims, who originated the Thanksgiving holiday, were deeply religious people. When they were trying to find a way to express their thanks for their survival and for the harvest, they looked to the Bible for an appropriate way of celebrating and based their celebration in part on the 7-day Jewish Biblical Festival of Sukkot (Lev. 23:33-43).
There is almost an unbroken line of presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations, from George Washington on October 3, 1789, to George W. Bush on November 22, 2006, with one thing in common: Thanksgiving Day is a day for thanking G-d.
Portions of many of the past presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations are included in the annual New York Sun “Thanksgiving” editorial.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May the Almighty protect the armed forces of the United States wherever they may be.
2 Responses to “The real meaning of Thanksgiving”
By The Polish Wolf on Nov 23, 2006 | Reply
Not only that, but Thanksgiving seems a lot more genuine, less commercialized. It’s not ‘pure’, by any means, but it seems like it still has a lot of its original purpose in tact.
By Gman on Nov 23, 2006 | Reply
Walter, you should rent the movie “Ushpizin.” At the center of the movie is the Sukkot. Extremely meaningful and entertaining movie that I’m sure you would appreciate. Check it out and let me know what you think.