Notes from Cantor Avima

      I am sure you all know the Hebrew word for "Thank you". We say "todah" or if we want to express  a bit more gratitude we say "todah rabbah". I thought in honor of Thanksgiving Day I would feature a few songs about gratitude. I want to start with the prayer that we say each morning expressing gratitude for another day: Modeh or Modah Ani. The word "modeh"  (for a male) "modah" (for a female) is derived from the same root as the modern Hebrew word "todah". There are so many melodies for this brief prayer, but I have been enjoying this song which expands the traditional prayer.I believe I featured in an earlier blog this summer. I just can't get enough of this song!   Modeh Ani / Omer Adam

     Another liturgical expression of gratitude is Psalm 136. This Psalm (also known with Psalm 135 as "The Great Hallel", begins by calling  us to "Thank God" with a repeated refrain of "for His kindness endures  forever". During the time of the Temple, the Levites would chant each of the 26 verses and the people would respond with the refrain "ki L'o'lam chasdo" (for His kindness endures forever). The first words "Hodu (Ladonai)", also derived from the same root as "todah", means "Thank  (God)". The first few verses reference God's natural wonders for which we should be grateful and then the verses focus on God's historical interventions (ie. leading us out of Egypt, through the desert , and finally we thank God for "God gives food to all flesh". Here is a beautiful melody: Ki L'Olam Chasdo - Hadar 

     Finally, we will end with a Jewish Thanksgiving song! Yes, there is one! Enjoy this little song by Debbie Friedman!  Happy Thanksgiving / Debbie Friedman

     And, remember saying "thank you" expressing gratitude is not just a once a year obligation. It is a daily obligation which we Jews do take seriously throughout our liturgy and our daily blessings.