Thanksgiving

A long time ago lived a man nicknamed, Nachum Ish Gamzu.  While his first name was indeed Nachum, he was called Ish Gam Zu because he always said, Gam Zu l’tovah, “This is for the best,” all the time. Having utter faith in God Nachum understood that he could respond to all things - joy, tragedy, love and suffering – with the same statement of belief.  When saw a tree or a tree fall he would say, Gam Zu l’tovah.  If he succeeded in business, Gam Zu l’tovah and if a business deal fell through, Gam Zu l’tovah.  Everything, in Nachum’s opinion, was for the best.

This is a profound teaching from two thousand years ago.  In fact, Nachum’s legacy reaches across the ages to the extent that willing pilgrims visit his graveside near Safed to this day and ask for the blessing to see all things as potential good.

With an attitude like Nachum we’d be less angry when things go wrong, less frustrated when our will does not intersect with reality.

There are many problems that we want to see solved in America and in the world.  From poverty to policy issues, from abuse of people to abuse of power there are many challenges that deserve attention and intervention.  With the approach of Thanksgiving when we take a single day to express thanks for freedoms we need to also learn to be grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy, including the protection of government.  In truth, every day ought to be Thanksgiving.  Change is necessary.  Action is demanded but our soul also needs to relearn how to accept and be grateful.  Gam Zu l’tovah.

Rebbe Nachman prayed, “I thank You God, for all the loving kindnesses You do for me each and every moment.  Thank You for every breath I breathe.  Thank You for all the things I do have, and thank you even for all the things I do not have.  Thank You for my periodic difficulties, my occasional setbacks, and for the times when I don’t feel happy, because everything is for my ultimate benefit…even if I don’t see that it’s all for my best.  Thank You (even) for my difficulties, for only through them I know how to appreciate the good.”

I do not intend to make light, of the profound suffering that comes our way at different moments of our lives, nor of the unending challenges that too many people must face throughout their lifetime.  I only wish to share these teachings to inspire us all to recognize the way a person of faith may respond to revealed and “hidden goodness.”