Years ago, someone gave me a Tony Robbins CD to listen to. I was excited to hear what one of the most inspirational people of modern times would have to...
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Daily Quotes
“Feeling gratitude isn’t born in us – it’s something we are taught, and in turn, we teach our children.”
– Joyce Brothers
“Of all the characteristics needed for both a happy and morally decent life, none surpasses gratitude. Grateful people are happier, and grateful people are more morally decent.”
– Dennis Prager
Daily Reading
Years ago, someone gave me a Tony Robbins CD to listen to. I was excited to hear what one of the most inspirational people of modern times would have to...
Read MoreDaily Sources
Thank You – תודה – Todah
Jewishness is Thankfulness
The words Modeh, Modim, and Odeh all reference gratitude, which comes from the same root as Yehudi (יהודי), meaning “Jew.” We acquired this name from Jacob’s fourth son, named by his mother Leah, and it is a fundamental part of our Jewish identity.
וַתַּ֨הַר ע֜וֹד וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֗ן וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַפַּ֙עַם֙ אוֹדֶ֣ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־כֵּ֛ן קָרְאָ֥ה שְׁמ֖וֹ יְהוּדָ֑ה
She [Leah] conceived again and bore a son, and declared, “This time I will thank God.” Therefore she named him Judah.
– Genesis 29:35
מודה אני
“I am thankful before You, Living and Everlasting King, that You returned my life to me with mercy. Great is your faithfulness!”
– Modeh Ani Morning Prayer
מודים אנחנו לך
“We are thankful to you, for it is You, God our God, and God of our Forefathers, for all eternity; Rock of our lives, Shield of our salvation are You from generation to generation. We shall thank You, and relate Your praise — for our lives, which are in Your hand, and, for our souls which are entrusted to You, for Your miracles that are with us every day, and Your wonders and favors in every season, evening, morning, and afternoon.’
– Modim, The 18th Blessing in the Amidah Prayer
Daily Goals
Sometimes gratitude is difficult because we don’t like to acknowledge our debts; we like to feel we did it on our own. But we can’t do anything without the help of others (that proverbial “village”) and certainly not without the Almighty’s help. He deserves the biggest thanks of all. And once we’re grateful to our Creator, we will also be grateful to His creations.
Cultivate a deep and sincere feeling of appreciation for the fact that you are alive. The Jewish practice of saying the “Modeh Ani” prayer the very first moment we are awake, strengthens our awareness of the great gift of life.
Try saying the “Modeh Ani” prayer (see video #3).
“I express my gratitude to You, the King who is alive and always exists, for returning my soul to me, with compassion. Great is Your trustworthiness.”
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
Daily Videos
Judaism has its own ritual to prepare for the day ahead.
Courtesy of Partners Cleveland https://www.torahcleveland.com
What determines the quality of our lives?
By Rabbi Yaakov Cohen Courtesy of Aish.com https://www.aish.com
Siddur Sheli: Modeh Ani Prayer – Animated
Instructional video on the first words we pray in the morning.
Courtesy of Chaim B. Alevksky http://www.toolsfortorah.com
Oprah Winfrey interviews Sheryl Sandberg
I have always enjoyed learning about our history and the reasoning behind various traditions. Happiness for me is when I can take a break from everything going on around me and focus on learning, something I think many of us need to have in our lives.
I have always enjoyed learning about our history and the reasoning behind various traditions. Happiness for me is when I can take a break from everything going on around me and focus on learning, something I think many of us need to have in our lives.
