Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
I take a very important lesson from Thanksgiving Day.
Looking back at the origins of this special day, a day first celebrated almost 400 years ago (before it had been established on the fourth Thursday in November), in the words of the charter of Berkeley Hundred "Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."
Although our constitution separates religion from law, and although the gratitude was originally due to the Native Americans who helped the first pilgrims learn how to live on the land, they recognized the importance of faith, of believing in a super-power, in G-d almighty.
Belief in G-d is not contrary to our constitution, it is what our constitution was created for. To give me, and whoever wants, the right to believe in G-d and thank him for all the good he bestows upon us.
As we continue through the year, this message of gratitude and recognition remains with us.
Chanukah is approaching. Chanukah is also a celebration of thanksgiving. Make sure to celebrate Chanukah with your family, or with ours, to thank G-d for giving us this wonderful country, where we can celebrate Chanukah and its universal message of freedom.