Psalm 136 is a beautiful psalm with a repetition of the phrase ki l’olam chasdo, for God’s lovingkindness or mercy endures forever. It lists many examples of God’s lovingkindness, Creation, the Exodus from Egypt so that we see God as both Creator and Redeemer. Then in the present tense it says that God gives bread to all flesh. This verse gets reiterated in the Birkat Hamazon, the Grace After Meals. In my class this week on Shabbat liturgy, my professor, Dr. Sol Schimmel, asked what happens when reality does not seem to match the theology of the Psalm. There are many people who have a hard time with this verse, both in the psalm and in Birkat. How can we say that God gives food to all when there is so much hunger in the world? Some see it as a wish, a hope for the world can be. Although the verse is written as a praise of God because we are grateful for the food we do have, others see it really as a request, a prayer of petition without being so direct about the request. Let me suggest another idea. In truth, the world does have enough food but we human beings have yet to figure out a more equitable way to distribute it. As we close out Thanksgiving weekend, which celebrates an abundance of food, let us recommit to making sure that no family goes with out. Join me working at a soup kitchen, writing a check to Mazon, a Jewish response to hunger, donating non-perishables to food bank. Together we can make a difference and then the line from the Psalms will be more accurate–God DOES give food to all. Ken yehi ratzon, may it be God’s will.