By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein
In our Torah portion Tzav, the concept of the Thanksgiving Offering or Korban Todah is introduced: "If a person is bringing a sacrifice in order to give thanks" (Leviticus 7:12). This offering is brought by someone who has experienced deliverance from a dangerous or life-threatening situation, such as recovering from illness, being released from captivity, or surviving a perilous journey. To be grateful is an essential element of faith. Knowing that nothing bad comes from heaven.
There are four categories of people who are required to bring the Thanksgiving Offering:
Someone who was lost in a desert and then found his way back to civilization.
Someone who was severely sick and then recovered.
Someone who was imprisoned and then released.
Someone who crossed the sea or traveled by aircraft and then arrived safely at their destination.
Each of these individuals is obligated to bring a Korban Todah as a way of giving thanks for their salvation.
The Thanksgiving Offering is unique in that it expresses a way of service to G-d, ongoing gratitude. It represents our acknowledgment of our dependence upon G‑d. We are putting the emphasis in our prayers on appreciating G‑d’s goodness, which in turn, this gratitude brings even more abundance from above.
This is the reason why saying the Mode Ani at the moment of awakening applies to Noahides as well: "I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great".
The Thanksgiving Offering will be brought at the beginning of the redemption as a symbol of thanks to G-d for His deliverance and protection during the time of exile. It is a reminder that everything we have comes from God and that we should always be grateful for His blessings and the abundance He gives us.
By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein
Rabbi Moshe Bernstein is a writer and a Community Rabbi in Netanya, Israel. He believes in making connections between the Jewish People and the Noahides worldwide in order to share and enhance the knowledge of the Torah's Universal Code for Humanity and fulfill Isaiah's Prophecy 11:9 " And the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the oceans".
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