Parashat Ekev - Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
In Judaism, we have the practice of giving thanks after each meal. This is called Birkat Hazon, or Grace After Meals. This practice is derived from the passage in our Torah portion that gives the instruction to thank the LORD after eating:
And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. (Deuteronomy 8:10)
But isn’t it only natural for a person to give thanks for what they have received? Why do we need a commandment to require this of us? Let’s look at an example from the Apostolic Scriptures that will bring us some clarification:
And as he [Yeshua] entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, "Yeshua, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Yeshua’s feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Yeshua, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:12–19)