Advanced Search

Thanksgiving


Question:

Hi. Do Jews celebrate Thanksgiving? Thanks.



AskTheRabbi.org answered:

Some do and some don’t. I think most Jews observe Thanksgiving the same way most Americans do. They take the day off from work and use it as a time to gather with their family. In addition, they may offer a word of thanks to God for what they have, although not as a religious holiday per se.

Some Jews do not observe it since it is not really a Jewish custom. And anyway we are obligated to give thanks to God every day of the year.

Interestingly enough, Thanksgiving has "Jewish" roots. The Pilgrims based Thanksgiving on the Torah (Bible), in which God commands Jews to celebrate the Harvest Festival. This festival is called Succot, the Festival of Booths, which Jews have been celebrating for more than 3,000 years. 


 
Gateways - Your Key to Jewish Continuity

AskTheRabbi.org is a service of the Gateways Organization © 2024
Technical problems? Please contact the AskTheRabbi Support team