Dr. Yoshiyahu’s words still resonate today: “America loves its lies, particularly its holiday lies.” This year’s American Thanksgiving celebration serves as a prime example. While many of us are aware that turkey wasn’t the original main course at the purported first Thanksgiving Day feast, the turkey tale persists (https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/first-thanksgiving-meal). This year’s annual “National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation” (also referred to as the turkey pardoning ceremony) commenced this Thanksgiving week, but not without repeating a lesser-known falsehood. President Biden repeated this other turkey tale, asserting that President Truman initiated the presidential turkey-honoring tradition. You can hear him swiftly utter this falsehood within the first 10 seconds of this video:
Meanwhile, in this other video below, PBS shares insights from the White House Historical Association about President Truman’s approach to honoring the turkeys. Unlike modern presidents who pardon Thanksgiving turkeys, Truman reportedly had a more practical approach. According to historical records, Truman stated that the turkeys he received would end up on the family dinner table—for Christmas. Check it out for yourself:
I’d like to share a thought that may seem tangential at first, but bear with me. The sham pardoning ceremony reminds me, albeit in a very loose sense, of the unjust pardon offer that was extended as an option for The Messiah before a different feast—our high holy day feast of Passover.
“Pilate said to Him (Yahoshua), “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews (Yahudim), and said to them, “I find NO fault in Him at all. “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Yahudim?” Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.”
John 18:38-40 NKJV
You can also read Matthew 27:15-18, Mark 15:6-10, and Luke 23:13-19.
The contrast I point to, between the pardoned turkeys and The Messiah’s denied pardon is striking, I know… but hear me out. Despite The Messiah being called innocent by the judge & Barabbas guilty, The Messiah received no pardon. This stark reminder highlights the corruption and injustice that is often characterized by world rulers. The lives of turkeys, while meaningful in their own right, are incomparable to human life – and even more so, the life of The Son of YAH. Yet, this disparity prompts reflection on the nature of leadership in this world, where injustice and corruption prevail, where innocent people sometimes get death sentences while guilty or convicted criminals who deserve death sometimes get unjust pardons.
I’m well aware that the American justice system (or injustice system as I sometimes call it), has many additional issues, but please allow me to complete this thought with that, and then move on. For a more in-depth analysis and critique of the justice system, please refer to my other blogs, where I provide a more detailed examination.
I often find solace in a particular psalm when our people face injustice at the hands of the world’s rulers. This psalm, as I’ve highlighted in other blogs, is a heartfelt plea, declaration, and prayer from King David, which continues to resonate deeply with me. It has been a source of comfort in the face of overwhelming anger and grief, whenever I call to mind any injustice done to our people, this psalm calms me. Whether I reflect back a few years on the tragic case of Tamir Rice, or worse yet, when I read The Scriptures and think about the utterly corrupt & unjust treatment & crucifixion of The Messiah, this psalm is there. I also return to this psalm when contemplating the atrocities inflicted upon the Indigenous peoples of America, who suffered genocide at the hands of European colonizers; add that to the fact that these tragic events are still celebrated and taught as a day of thanksgiving, which makes it an annual reminder of unresolved injustices. So, what psalm am I talking about? Psalm 58, which opens with:
“Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? NO! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land. These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.”
Psalms 58:1-3 NLT
Ok, I know, we went into some deep waters there, so let’s make our way back to the surface as we wrap up this blog.
Thankfully, we know that all lies, including those surrounding holidays and turkey tales, will eventually be exposed. Psalm 58 reminds us that there will be righteous judgment, and it’s comforting to know that justice will prevail. The psalmist asks tough questions, like “Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly?” It’s striking to see how Psalm 58 describes the wicked, saying (in another translation) “They go astray from birth; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies”. This reminds us that lies, no matter how small they may seem, can have far-reaching consequences. As we reflect on the lies and injustices of this world, Psalm 58 offers a message of hope and justice. It reminds us that Elohim will ultimately judge the wicked and bring justice to the righteous. So, let’s hold on to that promise as we navigate the complexities of this world. Lies will not enter into the gates of The Kingdom of The Messiah! In The Kingdom, we will finally be rid of all the lies about Thanksgiving Day & turkeys… Will will be free from all lies of every kind—HalleluYAH!
“Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by NO means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination OR a LIE, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
Revelation 21:25-27 NKJV
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside (the gates) are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, AND whoever loves and practices a LIE.”
Revelation 22:14-15 NKJV
Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
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If you’re wondering how I can speak against Thanksgiving so emphatically, let me assure you that my complaints are rooted in facts. This holiday is built upon a false narrative, one that this nation loves to continuously perpetuate. I encourage you to fact-check and verify the information for yourself. A closer examination of the holiday’s history reveals a more complex and problematic story. For a more detailed presentation of the case, I invite you to review the facts presented in this blog:
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