Stuffing, Gratitude, and a Dash of Jewish Wisdom: How to Transform Thanksgiving into a Sacred Celebration

Blending Jewish Values and American Traditions for a Holiday Full of Meaning, Connection, and Maybe a Little Turkey Brisket

Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American holiday, but its themes of gratitude, community, and shared meals resonate deeply with Jewish values. As a rabbi, a Jewish educator, and someone who treasures both Jewish and American traditions, I see Thanksgiving as a powerful moment to blend the best of both worlds. For my family, Thanksgiving dinner holds a sacredness not unlike our Passover Seder—a time to gather, reflect, and connect through rituals and shared stories. By viewing Thanksgiving through a Jewish lens, we can transform this American holiday into something even more meaningful.

Gratitude: The Foundation of Thanksgiving and Judaism

Thanksgiving is a celebration of gratitude, and gratitude is a cornerstone of Jewish life. The Hebrew phrase hakarat hatov, meaning “recognizing the good,” teaches us to see and appreciate the blessings around us. Jewish tradition instills this value in countless ways, from beginning each day with Modeh Ani—thanking God for the gift of life—to offering birkat hamazon, grace after meals, to express gratitude for the food we eat.

The Talmud teaches that the thanksgiving offering (korban todah) will endure even in messianic times (Leviticus Rabbah 9:7), underscoring the eternal significance of giving thanks. Thanksgiving invites us to embody this teaching in an American context, pausing to reflect on our blessings and the abundance we often take for granted.

For my family, Thanksgiving dinner has become an annual ritual to pause and reflect in much the same way we do at our Passover Seder. Just as the Seder connects us to our past and future as Jews, Thanksgiving connects us to our shared humanity and our place in this country. We express gratitude not just for our freedom and prosperity but also for the people who enrich our lives.

The Sacred Power of a Shared Meal

Jewish tradition views meals as sacred opportunities to gather and connect. The Passover Seder, for example, is much more than a meal—it is a deeply spiritual event filled with rituals, storytelling, and moments of gratitude. Similarly, Thanksgiving dinner offers a chance to sanctify time and create connection, whether through blessings, shared reflections, or simply being fully present with one another.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, in The Sabbath, described sacred time as a “sanctuary in time.” Just as the Shabbat table transforms a meal into a holy act, Thanksgiving can become a sacred space for gratitude and reflection. In our home, we borrow from Jewish traditions, beginning the meal with a short blessing and inviting everyone to share something they’re grateful for. These practices elevate the meal from a feast to a sacred gathering.

Gratitude for the Land

Thanksgiving’s connection to the harvest echoes Jewish agricultural festivals like Sukkot, which celebrate the bounty of the earth. In Deuteronomy 8:10, we are commanded: “When you have eaten and are satisfied, bless the Lord your God for the good land given you.” While this verse refers specifically to the Land of Israel, its message applies broadly to all lands where Jews live and thrive.

For American Jews, Thanksgiving is a moment to express gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities this country provides while recognizing the responsibilities that come with these blessings. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote in To Heal a Fractured World, gratitude for the land compels us to share its resources and care for the less fortunate. By donating food, volunteering, or inviting someone who might otherwise be alone to join our table, we honor both the spirit of Thanksgiving and the Jewish value of tzedakah (righteous giving).

Thanksgiving as a Call for Unity

Thanksgiving also carries a message of unity and peace that resonates deeply with Jewish teachings. President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation, issued during the Civil War, called for a day of gratitude and reconciliation. This vision mirrors the prophet Micah's prophetic hope for universal peace: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war anymore” (Micah 4:3).

We are not strangers to division as a nation or as a people. Thanksgiving invites us to put those divisions aside, even if just for a day, and focus on what unites us. At the Thanksgiving table, much like at the Passover Seder, we have the opportunity to share stories, bridge divides, and model shalom bayit—peace in the home.

A Call to Action

For me, Thanksgiving is a sacred time to reflect on the blessings in my life, celebrate the connections that sustain me, and recommit to living out my values. It is a time to draw inspiration from both Jewish wisdom and the American spirit, weaving them together into a tapestry of gratitude and connection.

This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to make your celebration more meaningful. Borrow a practice from Jewish tradition: offer a blessing before or after the meal, invite someone new to your table, or share reflections on gratitude with your loved ones. Consider how you might use the day to give back—through volunteering, donating, or simply reaching out to someone who could use a kind word.

As we gather around our tables, may we embrace the lessons of Thanksgiving and the wisdom of our Jewish tradition. Together, let us transform this holiday into a sacred celebration of gratitude, unity, and hope for a better world.