Tefillah Tips - Mizmor Letodah – Thanksgiving Tips

This short psalm #100 written by Moshe Rabbeinu – Moses was recited by the Levites at the Temple when a thanksgiving offering was being sacrificed.

There are four different times when a thanksgiving offering was brought. It was brought by one who was released from jail, one who traveled the ocean, one who healed from sickness, and one who traveled the desert.

Rav Schwab points out in his book that although this prayer refers to korbanot – sacrifices; it nevertheless is not located in our prayers amidst all of the other korbanot. Why not? He explains based on the Midrash Rabbah – Vayikra that in the Messianic era all voluntary offerings will cease except for the Thanksgiving offering. The reason for this is that once the Moshiach – Messiah arrives there will no longer be a need for personal and/or national requests. However, there will always be the need to be thankful.

The Hebrew phrase for thanks is Hakarat Hatov. The literal translation of the words is Recognition of Good. This implies that the way that one comes to gratitude is through the recognition of the good provided by another. How often do we take for granted the good done for us by our spouse, family, friends, and of course G-d Himself? How often do we not even notice the good provided by others? We enjoy food, clothing, health, air, vision, taste…. without even noticing it.

HaRav Yechezkel Abramski zt”l would pause as he entered his home in the evening and contemplate anything and everything his wife had done for him that day – and only then did he enter.

The Korban of thanksgiving is different than the other Korbanot. It reflects eternity and is relevant in this world and the world to come. So too, expressing thanksgiving is an eternal character attribute that brings joy to the provider as well as the recipient.

It is interesting to note that if one arrives late and must skip a prayer or two in order to catch up to the chazzan –Jewish law indicates that one should NOT skip Mizmor Letodah because of its importance.

May we all express proper thanksgiving in our prayers and in our personal relationships. And may we soon be able to bring the Thanksgiving offering in the Beit Hamikdash.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Ephraim Epstein