Thanksgiving intertwines the narrative of America’s beginnings with the journey of Jewish people who escaped oppression. They crossed the sea, arriving in what they regarded as the Promised Land, and expressed their gratitude. It’s more than a metaphorical connection between the Pilgrims and the Israelites; the early Puritans genuinely identified as the new Israel, interpreting the Hebrew Bible as a guiding text. In their reflections and sermons, they portrayed England as Egypt, the ocean as the Red Sea, and America as Canaan.
This amalgamation of the Jewish Biblical story with America’s own trajectory laid a moral groundwork for the nation. Benjamin Franklin even proposed that the Great Seal represent “Moses raising his staff and parting the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army drowning behind him.” America was seen as a continuation of the Israeli narrative.
When individuals like Nick Fuentes claim that “Zionist Jews” control the political sphere or when Candace Owens echoes the outdated assertion that Jews strive for domination, they attack the very Biblical principles that have contributed to America’s sense of moral purpose and exceptionalism.
To be chosen does not imply superiority. Rather, it signifies a moral obligation, a standard to aspire to. The Pilgrims and America’s Founders embraced this notion, viewing the nation as a new Israel, selected for purpose rather than privilege. To misinterpret or vilify this belief is to misinterpret both Judaism and America itself.
Upon the Pilgrims’ landing, Governor William Bradford chronicled in *Plymouth Plantation*, referencing Deuteronomy: “They fell on their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them across the vast and ferocious sea.” Thanksgiving emerged from that faith—a collective expression of gratitude for the freedoms granted, not those taken away.
Yet, the narrative leading to America’s founding has been misrepresented. Christian nationalists have distorted the idea of a “chosen people” into a narrative of racial exclusivity and destiny, suggesting the Promised Land is reserved only for those who fit a specific mold. Conversely, far-left activists depict both the American tale and modern Israel as narratives of colonial theft, viewing Thanksgiving as a chance to dismiss this shared quest for freedom.
Both interpretations overlook a fundamental truth: Exodus teaches that freedom must originate from faith, gratitude, and justice.
This understanding isn’t new to Jewish leaders. The Rebbe recognized a spiritual link between Thanksgiving and Judaism, even designating it “Yom Tov,” or a day of joy. Being Jewish implies gratitude—“Yehudi”—and the Hebrew term (hodaa) signifies recognition, the humility of transcending oneself. This humility once unified the nation.
In sacred texts, the Israelites did not extend thanks because they were comfortable, but rather because they survived adversities. The Pilgrims faced similar hardships, losing half their colony during the first winter. Their gratitude stemmed not from abundance but from divine providence.
The shared essence of Jews and Americans illustrates that gratitude counters hatred. When we embrace gratitude, we acknowledge our dependence on something beyond our immediate group or beliefs. Forgetting gratitude often leads to the invention of enemies.
Thanksgiving transcends a mere cultural observance; it serves as a remedy for division. Jews, Christians, believers, and skeptics alike should remember that America’s inception was rooted in gratitude, not power. Its founders envisioned a rebirth of Israel rather than Rome, finding unity through humility before something greater than themselves.
Recently, during a visit to Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island—the oldest in America—I felt this truth resonate. A letter dated 1790 from George Washington to the congregation hangs on the wall: “May the descendants of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to enjoy honor and the goodwill of the other inhabitants, while everyone sits safely under his own vine and fig tree, and no one makes him afraid.”
Washington’s message did more than comfort the small Jewish community; it encapsulated the American promise. Freedom is secured through gratitude, not force. Thanksgiving serves as a reminder that freedom endures only when we remain grateful for it.
