The Chazan who is the “leader” says “Modim”, which is total “thank you”, and the congregation says Modim D'rabanan which is ½ asking and ½ thanking. It is almost Chanukah, and it is time to go all out to stop kvetching and to thank to the extreme.
STORY
A woman used to daven that her husband should be Matzliach in his learning. For a year and ½ he was learning okay. One week, she decided to stop davening and instead she would only thank Hashem that she has a husband a Ben Torah. That week, her husband suddenly started having unusual success and Geshmak in learning! He had no idea what his wife was doing!
In Hilchos Brachos, the Rambam says that a person should ask from Hashem and thank Hashem. But only by thanking and praising Hashem the Rambam says: כָ ל הַ מַ רְׁ בֶׁ ה הַ רֵ י זֶׁ ה מְׁ שוּבָ ח the more the better (similar to Haggadah Shel Pesach where it says: כָ ל הַ מַ רְׁ בֶׁ ה לְׁ סַ פֵ ר בְׁ יְׁ צִּיאַת מִּ צְׁרַ יִּם הַ רֵ י זֶׁ ה מְׁ שוּבָ ח). This Chanukah, it would be a great idea to only thank! Like Yaakov said: יֶׁש לִּ י כֹל וישלח לג יא I have EVERYTHING, and watch all the Yeshuos from all areas! A Melech is always richer than everyone else, and a Cohen Gadol has to also be the richest Cohen. (Gemara). Being rich is a symbol of: אֵיזֶׁהוּ עָשִּ יר הַ שָ מֵ חַ בְׁ חֶׁ לְׁ קוֹ one who is truly rich, i.e., someone who is content with what he has. And the Velt says: “A thankful heart is close to the riches of the universe!”
We bring Bikkurim until Chanukah (Mishna).
Ideally, learning Chovos Halvavos, and especially Shaar HaBitachon and Shaar HaBechina, will make you a “full” person if you spend a full hour thanking daily.
Get involved in thanking all day and you’ll eventually develop a: מָּלֵּא “full” mode, and only more & more good will come your way.
