Dateline Jerusalem — The other day Americans celebrated Thanksgiving Day, officially declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. However, the first Thanksgiving in America was celebrated by Pilgrims and American Indians in 1621. Not until 1789 did America’s first President, George Washington, declare it a day of thanksgiving and prayer. Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday but a holiday for Americans of all faiths. Of course for those of us living in Israel, every day is Thanksgiving Day. We are especially thankful that the Jewish people are back home in the land of our ancestors, a home where we experience so many miracles on a daily basis, and a home where we can enjoy freedom, liberty, and democracy.
Thanksgiving Day is often referred to as Turkey Day. Turkey in modern Hebrew is “tarnagol hodu.” Hodu means “gives thanks,” and it is part of Jewish prayers. Interesting to note that the Hebrew word for Jew is “Yehudi,” which means one who offers thanks. Something to think about in the season of Thanksgiving Day. Yet the turkey native to the United States got the name “turkey” when Spaniards brought it to Europe in the 16th century and it was mistaken for a turkey cock native to North Africa. However, another theory is that Luis De Torres, a Jewish interpreter during Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America in 1492, saw a large wild bird that resembled a peacock and called it a “tukki.” De Torres, familiar with the Bible, knew of the description of King Solomon’s wealth, which included gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks. The word to describe peacocks was “tikkuyim.” Tikkuyim evolved into “tukki” and eventually into turkey.
Religious Jews throughout the world say “Blessed are You, HaShem (G-d), King exalted through praises, G-d of thanksgivings…” on a daily basis. For Jews, especially in Israel, the holiday most closely associated with Thanksgiving Day in the States is the harvest festival of Sukkot, which gives thanks to G-d for the fruit harvest. It is a time for families to gather and give thanks for the freedom, liberty, and bountiful harvests provided by G-d. Israelis do not just gather together for a festive meal one or two days a year. Every Shabbat, both Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch means elaborate meals with family and friends and always ends with thanks to G-d. Preparation for Shabbat every week takes more time and effort, and often involves more food, than the one day Thanksgiving celebration in the States.
Not all Americans who moved to Israel celebrate the traditional Thanksgiving Day holiday on the fourth Thursday in November. Some ex-pats who have not entirely assimilated into Israeli culture continue to observe Thanksgiving Day with turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, and vegetables. Yet it is not as easy to acquire the necessary ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. In Israel, skinless boneless turkey breasts and wings are plentiful, but what is turkey without the delicious crispy skin? Therefore, most Israelis must order a whole turkey, skin and all, from their butcher well in advance of the holiday. Some stores in Israel sell American cans of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie filling, but those usually are only available in Anglo areas in Israel where American ex-pats tend to live and congregate. Fresh pumpkins and gourd vegetables, however, are abundantly available.
L’hitraot. Shachar