Thank Gad for saving us!

Our Jewish tradition warns against the character flaw of ingratitude. The Sages (in Midrash Shemot Rabbah) even point out that a person (like Pharaoh) who ignores or denies the good done for him by others will ultimately ignore and deny the good extended by God. In other words, expressing gratitude to people does not diminish our appreciation of God. On the contrary, it deepens it.

Yet some people, like the good rabbi in this new Ayin Tova Cartoon, while piously thanking God, have a hard time acknowledging the efforts of all those people who protect us, and sustain our lives and way of living. Why is that? Why ignore all the individuals and their remarkable contributions – including doctors and lawyers, municipal workers and sanitation crews, politicians, farmers, bus drivers, and countless other hardworking citizens? Even IDF soldiers, pilots and their support teams, as well as computer engineers in the defense industries!

Recognizing human effort does not mean disregarding God’s role in the world. Since when do some of our devout and religous leaders deny the immense contributions of so many? Showing gratitude (hodaya / modeh) to others is central to Jewish identity and tradition – it reflects the essence of the very name Yehudi (Jew) itself. Something essential is missing – perhaps even broken – if we fail to thank those who truly deserve it. Especially during wartime! (Including those named Gad.)