Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Gratitude

Throughout our parashah, Eikev, Moshe recounts the incessant grumbling of the people making for a life devoid of any gratitude. Now, as they are about to cross the Jordan, he reminds them that is not by dint of their efforts alone that they stand here today.

Realising the blessed life of the Promised Land requires a consciousness that we all benefit from the goodness of others. The Rabbis termed such a realisation “Hakarat HaTov”- Recognising the good, being grateful. Our Jewish tradition affords us a blessing, “HaTov VeHameitiv”, which expresses our recognition that there is good (HaTov) in life and that it has been bestowed upon us (HaMeitiv).

Studies have shown that feeling grateful and expressing gratitude enhances our psychological and physical wellbeing and builds and sustains our relationship with others. In his book ‘Grateful Brain,’ Dr. Korb notes that, on the basis of “confirmation bias”, when we seek to be more conscious of that for which we are to be grateful our brains begin to focus more on the good within our lives than the obstacles and challenges which so often occupy us and produce anxiety and negativity in our lives.

The Torah recounts that it was due to the continuous negative mindset that the generation of the wilderness would not enter the Promised Land. Perhaps it was this that greatly pre-occupied Moshe and influenced his own temperament, to which he himself alludes in this parashah, thereby precluding his bringing a new generation into Canaan.

The word Yehudi/Jew derives from the root word to express thankfulness and gratitude. As Jews we are commanded to see the good (HaTov) which will further empower us to experience the good for ourselves and to bestow it upon others (HaMeitiv).