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Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: “A seldom-noticed prayer, hidden within a prayer”

Feeling and expressing gratitude is good for us.

The Almighty does not “need” our thanksgiving.

It is we who benefit from feeling and expressing it.

Our Jewish liturgy contains a seldom-noticed prayer, hidden within a prayer, which acknowledges this.

The phrase appears at a high point in the service, yet it is said to oneself: “We thank You for inspiring us to thank You.”

This goes well beyond being thankful for our objective gifts.

It is a recognition that even the ability to know that we should be grateful is a gift from God and worthy of thanks. 

–Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz