By Rabbi Linda
There is a lot of interesting history in Jefferson. Historic information that teaches us the past and future of many generations. Life comes and goes, but our legacy lives on.
Refreshing our hearts and minds come with thanksgiving to the Lord for the past, present, and future. We thank God there is hope for our future.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also. John 14:3
Thanksgiving is about getting along with humanity. The pilgrims are gone, but their history and tradition live on. They believed in God’s freedom as we should. Our souls do not have to be in bondage or enslaved to evil.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
We can be the pilgrims of today carrying on the legacy of friendship, love and new beginnings, because even when we disagree, we do not have to hate. Thanksgiving is a national holiday, and its historic roots are in religion, culture and traditions.
One of Jefferson’s historical events that I am particularly thankful for is the historical Jewish synagogue erected in 1876. I am thankful unto God for leading them to Jefferson, to be a free people to worship God. They were thankful for their new home and friendships in Jefferson.
Jews and gentiles celebrating together in Jefferson’s synagogue was truly a historic event. Pilgrims and Indians together made a historical statement of friendship and love. The Jefferson synagogue opened again approximately 100 years later repeating the same history thanking God for friendship, congregating with each other.
In my opinion this opening was also a historic, God-given event. Our congregation, Bethel Temple Fellowship, rekindled the fire of friendship in Jefferson. We, like the pilgrims, are thankful for new friends.
As it was in previous Thanksgiving holidays, we are forever thankful unto God for the time and opportunity to be here. Bethel Temple Fellowship had the privilege of continuing the history of Mt. Sinai Hebrew Synagogue. We are from different time periods, but in the same spirit both congregations are worshiping God.
Opening after 100 years is truly a historic event. We are not taking away from Mt. Sinai, but adding to Mt. Sinai for the sole purpose of worshiping God and having a community fellowship.
We are thankful to God, and those who opened the doors for the time we were there. We are forever to be thankful for the time we had to continue what Mt. Sinai started. Their history brought forth life and worship not to end it, but to go forward and continue in friendship.
Changing attitudes will change lives. Looking to Yeshua with thanksgiving, we find hope. Friendship can only come from Messiah. The definition of thanksgiving in Hebrew is tied completely to God.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Ps 107:8
True praise and thanksgiving require faith. It is difficult to be thankful when you are not trusting in God’s faithfulness; not fully yielding to God. Thankfulness is a way to measure your spiritual health. By growing in God’s knowledge, you can give thanks in every circumstance.
Thanksgiving in the Tanakh (bible) is to respond to God’s goodness, faithfulness, and grace with gratitude. The biblical view of thanksgiving is a different view of life and how God works in the world based on His goodness towards mankind. P.S 136:1
Thanksgiving is more than physical food; it is being thankful for spiritual food, which is the bread of life, the living water who is Yeshua.
Thanksgiving Hebrew word Todah – confession, praise, thanksgiving