Jewish Prayers Of Thanksgiving
(Torah study led by Rabbi J.B. Sacks on November 18, 2023)
TEXT #1: Mode/Moda Ani (every day preparatory prayer)
מודֶה [מודָה] אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם,
שֶׁהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְּחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ
I thank You, living, enduring Sovereign, for You have restored my soul to me, in compassion, for another day; Your faith in me is great.
Questions to Consider:
- On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not specific at all and 5 being very specific, how specific is this prayer in terms of what we are thanking for?
- What do you like about this prayer?
- What would you change in this prayer?
- When would you like to say this prayer?
TEXT #2: Shehecheyanu (for new and unusual experiences)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְמַן הַזֶּה
Blessed are You, A-d-nai our G!d, Ruler of the Universe,
who has granted us life, sustained us, and brought us to this very moment.
Questions to Consider:
- On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not specific at all and 5 being very specific, how specific is this prayer in terms of what we are thanking for?
- When have you said this prayer? How did reciting the Shehecheyanu make you feel?
- What do you like about this prayer? What, if anything, would you change in the prayer?
- We often use two different musical settings for this prayer. What does each bring out/highlight in this prayer?
TEXT #3: Birkat HaGomel (surviving a potentially dangerous experience)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעולָם. הַגּומֵל לְחַיָּבִים טובות. שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוב
מִי שֶׁגְּמָלך טוב. הוּא יִגְמָלך כָּל טוב סֶלָה
The one who survived a potentially dangerous experience recites:
Blessed are You, A-do-nai our G!d, Ruler of the Universe, who shows goodness to us beyond our merits, and who has just/recently bestowed favor upon me.
Congregation responds:
May the One who has been gracious to you
continue to favor you with all that is good.
Questions to Consider:
- How does this blessing differ from all of the prayers above?
- On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not specific at all and 5 being very specific, how specific is this prayer in terms of what we are thanking for?
- Birkat Hagomel is recited in a minyan. Why do you think it must be said in the presence of the congregation?
- Why do you think the congregation participates in the blessing by responding to the person saying the blessing?
Taking a Step Back:
- What do these three prayers as a whole tell you about a Jewish approach to gratitude and Thanksgiving?
- Are their other Jewish prayers that you might think of as prayers of gratitude? Please explain.
- What are you feeling gratitude for as you prepare for Thanksgiving?
- What might CAH feel gratitude for as we prepare for Thanksgiving?
- What might the Jewish people feel gratitude for during this season?