The Tikvah Podcast Ari Lamm on the Biblical Meaning of Giving Thanks
Nov 29, 2024
Ari Lamm, CEO of Bnai Zion and a rabbi well-versed in the Hebrew Bible, dives into the essence of gratitude and its biblical roots. He discusses how daily expressions of thanks begin with 'Modeh ani l’fanekha.' Lamm contrasts Leah's deep biblical gratitude against Cain's resentment, examining faith's role in our connection to the divine. He highlights the enduring significance of thanksgiving in religious practice and calls for a meaningful revival of gratitude in contemporary civic life, urging actions that reflect genuine appreciation.
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Leah's Gratitude
- Leah thanked God only after her fourth child, Judah, not her first.
- This shows biblical gratitude is about purpose, not individual gain, as Judah's birth cemented her role in God's covenant.
Contractual vs. Covenantal Gratitude
- Transactional gratitude is like fulfilling a contract—once done, the relationship ends.
- Covenantal gratitude is ongoing, thanking someone before they've fully delivered, an act of faith in the relationship's future.
Cain and Abel
- Cain, initially set up as the hero, offers the first sacrifice but is rejected.
- His inability to accept God's choice reveals his lack of biblical gratitude, which involves vulnerability and trust in God's plan.