Ben Zoma said… Who is rich? Those who are satisfied with what they have.
בֶּן זוֹמָא אוֹמֵר… אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר, הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ
(Pirkei Avot 4:1)
This two-thousand year old text connects deeply to the American holiday we celebrate this week. It’s really about gratitude.
From the perspective of our tradition, to be wealthy is to be satisfied with what we have. One of the ways we can increase our sense of satisfaction is to pause regularly to give thanks for the bounty we enjoy. While there are worthy things that we might wish for, if we have our health, a roof over our heads, enough food to eat, and the love of family and friends, we—as my dad would put it—“have it made in the shade.”
So let’s take time this week especially to reflect on the many ways in which we find satisfaction in our lives. When we consider how blessed we are—notwithstanding the real challenges we face—just to be alive, we will be inspired to give thanks and praise.
— Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
