More and more amazed and moved by just how much Heavenly goodness lies in the good that we have been given. The Heavenly goodness comes from an eternal Source that has no boundaries... the good is simply endless. And when the good reached you, it’s certain that you have not fully grasped just how good it truly is. It’s impossible to comprehend in its entirety!
We Can’t Grasp the Extent of Hashem’s Goodness
This is akin to a child who’d soiled himself, and his parents clean and wash him. The child smiles to indicate his gratitude for the help; he gives “feedback” according to his ability to show that he appreciates what was done for him.
Surely the parents are appreciative of this. They’re moved by the fact that the child is able to express gratitude on his level. But it is equally certain that it’s impossible for the child to truly grasp the extent of the kindness that was done for him. He expressed gratitude, but he doesn’t grasp just how much gratitude he owes his parents for everything they do for him. It’s impossible for him to grasp the true extent.
When it comes to our gratitude to the Ribbono shel Olam for the good that He does for us, our awareness infinitely more distant from reality than is the understanding of this small child. We can never fully comprehend how deeply rooted is the good of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, Who does good for us.
Repeating It Until You Feel It
The great gaon and tzaddik Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l was once heard bentching, and when he came to the passage of לְך נודה, in which we express gratitude and thanks, he repeated the entire passage a number of times.
Asked about this, Rav Shlomo Zalman replied that he felt that he was missing the proper feeling of gratitude... and he repeated the verses over and over until he felt the proper depth of gratitude to the Ribbono shel Olam.
