I once heard that the American holiday of Thanksgiving was modeled after Sukkot, the Jewish festival celebrating the Israelites’ journey in the desert. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I love the idea. It feels meaningful to think we have two moments in the fall to practice hakhnasat orchim—the Jewish value of hospitality. Thanksgiving, like Sukkot, invites us to pause, appreciate our blessings, open our homes to others, and find gratitude for what we have.
Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays, a day for families and friends to come together, share a meal and reflect on the year’s blessings. As we gather around the table, it’s a chance to focus on gratitude and generosity, ideals that also sit at the heart of what it means to be Jewish. Thanksgiving celebrates nature, family and community and offers a pause in our busy lives to savor life’s simple but profound blessings. For many, it’s also a moment to share that abundance, making sure everyone feels included, especially those who may be alone.
In Jewish thought, hospitality—or hakhnasat orchim—isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s a sacred act. The Torah highlights the importance of welcoming guests and strangers again and again. There’s the famous story of how Abraham, who was recovering from his circumcision, saw three strangers from a distance and eagerly stood up to welcome these strangers into his tent, offering them food and rest without knowing they were angels. Hospitality was core to his values. Jewish tradition teaches that when we welcome guests, we’re honoring the divine image within each person, creating a warm, welcoming space for everyone.
Thanksgiving gives us a similar opportunity to bring the value of hospitality to life. The holiday is about gathering with family and opening our tables to others. It’s a time to connect with friends, neighbors, and even strangers, creating unity across backgrounds and beliefs. Welcoming others into our homes mirrors the Jewish idea that sharing a meal is a chance to build connection and community. By inviting people who might be alone, we turn our homes into places of comfort and warmth.
However, Thanksgiving also has a complicated history that calls for reflection. The holiday is interwoven with painful memories for Indigenous communities. Pilgrims’ arrival marked the beginning of centuries of displacement, hardship and loss for Native peoples. Jewish tradition teaches that gratitude and justice go hand in hand; we cannot fully give thanks if we ignore injustice. Recognizing and learning the impact of colonial history can deepen the meaning of Thanksgiving, allowing us to honor the holiday while also committing to acts of justice and acknowledgment.
Through this lens, Thanksgiving can be a holiday that includes gratitude and honoring the history of Indigenous peoples. Just as we’re thankful for the harvest and the people we love, we can honor this day by respecting the experiences of others and committing to equity and respect for all communities.
Jewish tradition teaches that gratitude and justice go hand in hand; we cannot fully give thanks if we ignore injustice.
In Thanksgiving and Jewish tradition, gathering together reminds us of the importance of sharing and giving. Jewish teachings tell us that welcoming others is more than a simple act of kindness; it’s a sacred duty that strengthens bonds and deepens understanding. On Thanksgiving, we can expand our tables and hearts, creating an inclusive space that brings hakhnasat orchim to life in a uniquely American way. This might mean inviting someone who would otherwise be alone, volunteering to help those in need, or simply being present and open-hearted with our loved ones.
Thanksgiving, like Sukkot, encourages us to pause, look around, and truly see our blessings. By drawing on Jewish values of hospitality and justice, we can view Thanksgiving as more than a day of feasting—it becomes a sacred opportunity to reconnect, express gratitude, and honor our shared responsibility to each other. In opening our homes and hearts, we let the values of gratitude, justice, and kindness shape a world where everyone feels welcome.
