Ask A Rabbi: Are There Jewish Prayers for Thanksgiving?

By Rabbi Baruch HaLevi

Pumpkins I know there are traditional prayers for Hanukkah, but are there alternative prayers we can bring to our table to enrich this year’s Hanukkah/Thanksgiving feast?

There are many! The Psalms are always a good place to start. Here are some Psalms you might want to consider. Keep in mind that there are many different variations of these, so look online until you find a translation that speaks to you.

Psalm 118: Thanksgiving Day Prayer – God Is Good
Psalm 100: Thanksgiving Psalm – Praise
Psalm 111: Thanksgiving Psalm – Nourishment
Psalm 30: Thanksgiving – Give Thanks Forever
Psalm 28: Psalm for Thanksgiving – Let God Be Your Strength
Psalm 150: Thanksgiving Day Psalm – Every Soul Rejoice

Here are some additional prayers for Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving Prayer by Rabbi Maralee Gordon
A Thanksgiving Prayer by Rabbi Naomi Levy
A Thanksgiving Prayer (author unknown)
We Pray For Children by Ina Hughs

Here are some Hanukkah prayers:

The Healing Light of Chanukah by Ariel Lee
First Light: An Energy-Aware Chanukah Celebration
New Blessings For Chanukah
Let My Voice Be A Hammer by Rabbi Rachel Greengrass
Chanukah Meditations

Ask A Rabbi In addition, here are a few “edgier” but compelling selections (I suggest you read them ahead of time to make sure they jive with your theological sensibilities):

Pray For Peace by Ellen Bass
Love is the New Religion by Brian Piergrossi
The Invitation by Oriah Mountaindreamer

Rabbi Baruch HaLevi is the rabbi at Congregation Shirat Hayam, a Conservative synagogue in Swampscott.

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Ask A Rabbi: Are There Jewish Prayers for Thanksgiving?

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