Prayer of Thanksgiving

The weather in New York for the first days of the holiday of Sukkot was virtually perfect: sunny, warm, and dry. We were able to eat all of our meals, finish reading Katy Tur’s book, and play our usual Rummikub games in our Sukkah. Having taken our larger Sukkah to Sharon some years ago, we bought a small one for here in New York, but it was large enough to allow us to have friends over with whom we coordinated and shared three most enjoyable daytime meals. We had some great food and have enough left over to get through the week. But all good things must come to an end, and this morning it started raining in time for Simmie and family to stop over for lunch on their way back to Sharon after spending the holiday with Ronen’s family on Long Island.  

On Shabbat I felt strong enough to go to synagogue for a little while. I wanted to be able to say the traditional prayer of thanksgiving, Birchat HaGomel, which is said in the presence of the community following survival from a serious illness or dangerous situation.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת, שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב

Blessed are You, HaShem, King of the universe, Who bestows good things upon the needy, Who has bestowed every kindness upon me

Those who hear the blessing say

אָמֵן. מִי שֶׁגְּמָלְךָ כָּל טוֹב, הוּא יִגְמָלְךָ כָּל טוֹב סֶלָה

Amen. May He who has bestowed goodness upon you
continue to bestow every kindness upon you forever

To say that this was a rather emotional experience would be an understatement. Somehow, I never got around to doing this five years ago, so I was quite determined to make it happen, and especially appreciate Rabba Anat who stood with me as I recited this prayer.

I was sad to hear of the untimely death of Tom Petty last week. We definitely saw him perform once or twice in New York (sometime between 1991 and 2010) although I am hard pressed to remember just when or where (probably Madison Square Garden).

We managed to squeeze in a movie before the holiday, “Battle of the Sexes,” which tells the story of the relationship between tennis greats Billie Jean King (played by Emma Stone) and Bobby Riggs (played by Steve Carell), ending with their legendary match played in 1973. I remember this event but and the outcome but I do not believe we watched it at the time. I am not completely certain of the accuracy of all the details, but the movie was quite enjoyable.

The next few days will be a bit of down time. I am hoping to feel up to going to Sharon for the final days of the fall holidays, which will include little Noah’s first birthday!

Love,

Rebecca