Learning to Thank Hashem

Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah (www.bircas.org)

Parashas Tzav continues to expound on the different korbanos (sacrifices) and their laws. We are introduced to a korban called the “Todah,” the “Thanksgiving” offering. The Todah consists of an animal and forty loaves of bread. Rashi quotes the Gemara (Berachos 54b) that the Todah was brought by anyone who traveled overseas on a ship, journeyed through the desert, was let out of jail, or recovered from a life-threatening illness. The idea behind the Todah is that an individual who has merited a personal salvation should express his thanks to Hashem for taking him out of danger and distress.

The Todah needed to be eaten on the day it was offered, yet the amount of meat and bread required was much more than the one bringing it could possibly eat in that short span of time. Seemingly, such a korban would inevitably lead to the problem of nosar—leaving a korban past the time it was permitted to be eaten. Usually, korbanos do not require such a large quantity of food. Most korbanos do not include bread at all, and many allow the bringer two full days to consume them. Why does the Todah require such a massive quantity of food to be eaten in so short a time?

The Netziv infers that the Todah was intended to enable the bringer to invite others to a feast, where he would thank Hashem publicly for all that He had done for him. This is emphasized by the verse that the above gemara applies to the Todah, “And they shall exalt Him (in thanks) in a community of people.” (Tehillim 107:32) The korban was to serve as a public forum for an outpouring of thanks to Hashem. This would also be a memorable source of inspiration to the many participants at the feast. Because the message was accompanied by the taste of delicious meat, bread, and condiments, the message would be ingrained even deeper in the hearts of those present.

The principle of giving thanks is central to Judaism. The Ramban (at the end of Parashas Bo) says that the purpose of creation is that man believe in Hashem and thank Him. The Sefas Emes points out that the Hebrew word for Jew, Yehudi, actually means “one who thanks.” A Jew is expected to personify the idea that all human beings were created to give thanks to Hashem.

Appreciating Hashem’s many gifts sounds like it should be easy. However, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach notes that it is a most elusive skill, and one that many people lack. People are even capable of viewing open miracles as the products of nature or their own doing. If one is diagnosed with an illness, he goes to the hospital for a series of treatments. When he is later released with a clean bill of health, it is easy for him to think that the doctors cured him.

The verb “to thank,” l’hodos, also means to admit or acknowledge. To thank Hashem you must first acknowledge that it was Hashem who helped you, and not some doctor. Attributing thanks where it truly belongs takes maturity and reflection.

Though the Todah offering was only obligatory when one of the above-listed four events took place, the obligation to thank Hashem is endless. In fact, the Ramban (ibid.) says that our primary job is to appreciate all of the small, almost miniscule miracles that we experience daily. The things that we take for granted, like waking up in the morning, being able to see, walk, breath, and eat are constantly being supervised by Above. Hashem is always enabling us to function properly. The Ramban even says that the only reason that Hashem makes obvious miracles is so that we should realize that the small things are also gifts from Him, and are no less significant.

This is also what the Todah offering is designed to accomplish. The Torah expects the bringer to capitalize on the great kindness that happened to him, and this gets the ball rolling for expressing thanks for all of the myriad miracles that he is being reminded to appreciate. For example, one who survives open-heart surgery will surely come out of the hospital appreciating much more than his beating heart!

An eminent, elderly Rav chanced upon a clever way to impart an awareness of Hashem’s constant kindness to his students. One day, as he and his driver were traveling to a simchah by car, he heard a strange voice saying, “In another two miles, turn right. . . . At the next intersection, turn left. . . .”

“Where is this voice coming from?” asked the Rav. His driver told him about a new device called a GPS, which guides a driver to his destination via satellite.

“You mean there’s a satellite in space that’s guiding me?”

“Yes,” answered the driver.

“Does it guide other drivers, too?”

“Yes, it’s a service available for everybody.”

At the simchah, the Rav shared his insight: “Look! There’s a man-made metal contraption up there that can guide each and every driver to his own unique destination. Just like this machine guides us, Hashem is surely guiding us in every step of our lives, and we must make the effort to recognize this and thank Him for it!”

May we be zocheh to give thanks to Hashem for everything that He does!

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