What is the difference between a "Jewish American" and an "American Jew" in terms of identity?
- How would the Puritans feel similar to the Israelites in this story?
(13) After the ingathering from your threshing floor and your vat, you shall hold the Feast of Booths for seven days. (14) You shall rejoice in your festival, with your son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow in your communities. (15) You shall hold a festival for Adonai your God seven days, in the place that Adonai will choose; for Adonai your God will bless all your crops and all your undertakings, and you shall have nothing but joy.
On that day, Moses promised on oath, ‘The land on which your foot trod shall be a portion for you and your descendants forever, because you were loyal to Adonai my God.’
(1) When all the kings of the Amorites on the western side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites near the Sea, heard how Adonai had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the sake of the Israelites until they crossed over, they lost heart, and no spirit was left in them because of the Israelites.
- According to these texts, why would Thanksgiving be a suitable holiday for the new European settlers in Massachusetts?
- How do you think the Native Americans would have responded?
- How does this connection between Thanksgiving and Sukkot emblematic of the relationship between our American and Jewish identities?