Jews are
eternally grateful. The very word “Jew,”
Yehudi, has within it word for gratitude (connected to Todah, which in Hebrew
means “thank you.”) This is the ethos that lies behind the great Talmudic
proverb which asks, "Who is rich?" and then answers, "Those who
rejoice in their own lot." (Avot 4:1)
In raising
children, we need to teach that true gratitude, however, includes more than
obligatory thanks; they need to learn how to instinctively express hakarat
hatov, or recognition of the good that another has done.
Rabbi Yisrael Salanter
once noticed that a fancy restaurant was charging a huge price for a cup of
coffee. He approached the owner and asked why the coffee was so expensive.
After all, some hot water, a few coffee beans and a spoonful of sugar could not
amount to more than a few cents.
The owner
replied: "It is correct that for a few cents you could have coffee in your
own home. But here in the restaurant, we provide exquisite decor, soft
background music, professional waiters, and the finest china to serve your cup
of coffee."
Rabbi
Salanter's face lit up. "Oh, thank you very much! I now understand the
blessing of Shehakol -- 'All was created by His word' -- which we
recite before drinking water. You see, until now, when I recited this blessing,
I had in mind only that I am thanking the Creator for the water that He
created. Now I understand the blessing much better. 'All' includes not merely
the water, but also the fresh air that we breathe while drinking the water, the
beautiful world around us, the music of the birds that entertain us and exalt
our spirits, each with its different voice, the charming flowers with their
splendid colors and marvelous hues, the fresh breeze -- for all this we have to
thank God when drinking our water!"
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