Psychologists tell us that their research shows that people who express gratitude are happier and live more fulfilling lives than those who do not. Gratitude shifts emotions from negative to positive and makes ones life feel better, even if the objective conditions have not changed. It contributes to psychological flexibility.
This is not news to Jews. We have been taught this wisdom for over 2,000 years.One of the sacrifices commanded in this week’s Torah portion is the Thanksgiving sacrifice, which one brings in moments of gratitude. “If he offers it [the sacrifice] as a thanksgiving offering, then along with this thanksgiving offering he is to offer unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and loaves of fine flour well-kneaded and mixed with oil” (Lev. 7:12).
Even though sacrifices ended 2,000 years ago, we still find this practice embedded in Jewish ritual. The first prayer we are taught to recite when we open our eyes in the morning is, Modeh Ani, where we thank God for giving us consciousness and life for another day (literally for returning our souls to us).
We also demonstrate this ritual in the Gomel prayer, when we give thanks for having come through a dangerous situation. Or even the everyday blessings (berachot) that we recite over food before we eat are examples of expressing gratitude for the blessings we enjoy in our life.
It’s a practice we can all strengthen and cultivate. After all, psychologists tell us it is good for us… even if we’ve known if for thousands of years.
Tzav — Leviticus 6:1-8:36, The Parashat Hashavua for Saturday, March 23, 2019
March 22, 2019 by Dean Kertesz • Drashot
Psychologists tell us that their research shows that people who express gratitude are happier and live more fulfilling lives than those who do not. Gratitude shifts emotions from negative to positive and makes ones life feel better, even if the objective conditions have not changed. It contributes to psychological flexibility.
This is not news to Jews. We have been taught this wisdom for over 2,000 years.One of the sacrifices commanded in this week’s Torah portion is the Thanksgiving sacrifice, which one brings in moments of gratitude. “If he offers it [the sacrifice] as a thanksgiving offering, then along with this thanksgiving offering he is to offer unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and loaves of fine flour well-kneaded and mixed with oil” (Lev. 7:12).
Even though sacrifices ended 2,000 years ago, we still find this practice embedded in Jewish ritual. The first prayer we are taught to recite when we open our eyes in the morning is, Modeh Ani, where we thank God for giving us consciousness and life for another day (literally for returning our souls to us).
We also demonstrate this ritual in the Gomel prayer, when we give thanks for having come through a dangerous situation. Or even the everyday blessings (berachot) that we recite over food before we eat are examples of expressing gratitude for the blessings we enjoy in our life.
It’s a practice we can all strengthen and cultivate. After all, psychologists tell us it is good for us… even if we’ve known if for thousands of years.