« Navy Heroes Face Court Martial | Main | Friday Flickers: Raise the Red Lantern »
November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving: Hope Fulfilled
As far as I know there are only two countries in the world that were founded on the idea of hope.
America and Israel.
And what was the hope?
The hope of achieving religious freedom, and freedom from government tyranny.
The Children of Israel, fleeing Egyptian slavery and religious persecution, settled the land of Israel 3,000 years ago, thereby fulfilling G-d's covenant with the Jewish people.
The Pilgrims saw themselves as the children of the children of Israel, escaping a British Pharaoh and crossing a liquid desert.
In fact, so complete was the Pilgrim identification with the Jewish narrative that they seriously considered making Hebrew the national language.
Israel and America are religious and national twins.
America without Judeo Christianity at its core would be a meaningless husk.
And Israel without Judaism would be, well, hopeless.
At Casa Avrech, when we gathered for our Thanksgiving meal, we would go round the table and each of us would explain why we were thankful.
The kids laughed because I always said the same thing:
“I'm grateful that Karen married me.”
Well, I'm still grateful that Karen married me. I'm grateful that our daughters are lovely, bright and generous young women. I'm grateful that my son-in-laws are kind and loving husbands. I'm grateful that the memories of our twenty-two years with our late son Ariel ZT'L are filled with joy and pride in his piety, modesty and goodness.
I'm grateful that America makes this wonderful life possible.
George Washington released this Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789. Read it, savor the language, the love of G-d and country. Imagine if the ACLU were around in those days.
Karen and I wish all our friends a Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at November 26, 2009 09:14 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family Robert...
Posted by: Bill Brandt at November 26, 2009 11:31 AM
Bill:
A Happy Thanksgiving to you too. And thanks so much for all your enlightening comments, here and at Big Hollywood.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 26, 2009 01:42 PM
Nice Thanksgiving post and how true.
May America never forget our founding and ever be a friend to Israel.
Posted by: Carla at November 26, 2009 02:39 PM
Growing up in Eastern Canada, Canadian Thanksgiving came right after, if not during, the Yom Tavim. As a result, our family never made a big deal of it.
I married an American 23 years ago - and now we make a very big deal out of it.
Just finished a wonderful meal with family and some friends.
Wishing a wonderful Thanksgiving to my friends south of the 49th parallel!
Mark in the Great White North
Posted by: Mark at November 26, 2009 05:14 PM
America was not always an oasis of tolerance. Its the most tolerant country on the planet, but the early Puritan settlers were human beings, courageous, pious, freedom loving human beings, but human beings, nevertheless. They were capable of great cruelty and intolerance. Ever hear of Anne Hutchinson? Roger Williams? Of course there was far less religious persecution in the New World than in the Old.
Posted by: Miranda Rose Smith at November 27, 2009 01:32 AM
I'm thankful for living in a world with the USA. Thanksgiving is the American holiday.
Posted by: Earl O'Neill at November 27, 2009 05:00 AM
Coming to the table late here (but still in time for pie!) to hope you had as marvelous a Thanksgiving feast as we did. Thank you, Robert, for this site. It's a fabulous place to learn about all sorts of interesting things.
G-d bless the USA. I am so glad my ancestors came here.
Posted by: DrCarol at November 27, 2009 08:57 PM