Could Thanksgiving Have Jewish Roots?

Research indicates that the Bible was the most influential piece of literature in Colonial America. Throughout the Old Testament, there are themes of giving thanks, particularly in the Book of Psalms, which the Pilgrims undoubtedly read.

Some say the “first” Thanksgiving took place in Virginia in 1619, but history records it as taking place in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Attending were 90 Native Americans and 50 English pilgrims.

What is known is that the event took place between September 21 and November 9, the period when Sukkot generally occurs, and it lasted three days. From the journals of the Pilgrims, recorded at that time, we also know that their harvest, the fruits of their labors, had been ingathered, like in the early times of Sukkot, and they felt grateful for the goodness of G-d because their needs had been fulfilled.

The following year, there was no similar celebration because of a drought, so the pilgrims fasted and prayed for rain, a concept somewhat akin to the Jewish water libation ceremony, which took place in the time of the Temple during the week of Sukkot. In the case of Sukkot, however, it was meant as an offering of rejoicing for the festival itself.

As the custom of celebrating the harvest continued over the years, in October 1777, all thirteen colonies celebrated a harvest of eight days. Perhaps it is more than coincidental that the holiday of Sukkot also lasts for eight days.

In 1789, George Washington suggested a National Day of Prayer and thanksgiving to G-d for all religious denominations. By 1852, 29 states had marked the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving, but it was not until 11 years later, in 1863, that Abraham Lincoln appointed a National Day of Thanksgiving as the last Thursday of each November.

In 1879, Canada designated the second Monday in October as their Thanksgiving day