Question: Where is Thanksgiving mentioned in the Bible? Answer: In the Psalms, where it is written, hodu lashem kee tov. This verse, from the Hallel service, literally means, "Give thanks to God for He is good." However, the Hebrew word for turkey is hodu, so in a pun, the translation of this verse is "Turkey for God, for He is good." So therefore, goes this bad joke, the Bible mandates that we eat turkey in thanksgiving to God. Ha ha.

Despite the poor attempt at humor, I would still maintain that Thanksgiving has its place in the Jewish home. The original Thanksgiving, the legendary meal declared by Gov. William Bradford in 1621, was based on the biblical fall festival, otherwise known as Sukkot. But that isn't enough reason to celebrate Thanksgiving, since we can and should celebrate Sukkot as is, and therefore need so substitute.

But I am still drawn to Thanksgiving for its own sake, and for its inherent value. The name alone is so instructive. Say it slowly and you can hear two sacred Jewish activities-- Thanks and Giving.

We are supposed to live each day with what Dr. Abraham Heschel called "an attitude of gratitude." We best accomplish our need to express thanks through the recitation of prayer. Very little of our siddur is about asking God for things. Most of our prayer service consists of acknowledging how blessed we already are.

One is supposed to recite 100 berakhot each day. This isn't as difficult as it sounds. If one were to say the Amidah three times a day, that already adds up to 57 berakhot. Throw in the birkat hamazon three times and you're up to 69. Just going through the standard daily prayers enables one to reach 100 with ease.

But saying berakhot is not simply a lesson in math. It is an opportunity to express gratitude throughout the day, everyday, as a means of making us aware of the true wonder we call life. And so there are unique berakhot for various types of foods, sights and sounds of nature, and many other simple, yet awe-inspiring events.

The other half of Thanksgiving is giving. This past Rosh Hashanah I spoke about how life requires giving and taking, and that in most cases we will be called upon to give more than we take in return. Those among us who give generously, be it money, time, affection or some other valued commodity, continue to discover there is joy and reward as a result of giving.