We can see the power of praising Hashem and thanking Him from the halacha that a seudah that is established to praise Hashem has the status of a seudas mitzvah.
The Rema (Orech Chaim 471:2) writes in regards to Chanukah: “It is customary to sing songs and praises at the seudos and they therefore are considered seudos mitzvah.” The Mishnah Berurah (ibid:8) adds: “The same is true in regards to a wedding meal when the daughter of talmid chochom marries an am ha’aretz, if the people sing songs of praises. It too has the status of a seudas mitzvah.” The Mishnah Berurah further writes (ibid:9) in the name of the Maharshal that whenever someone arranges a meal to praise Hashem or to publicize a miracle or mitzvah, it has the status of a seudas mitzvah.
