Thank You, Hashem

Look at our society and you can’t help bu tnotice that gratitude to Hashem has become trendy. Popular Jewish music artists compose catchy gratitude-themed tunes and people sport bright plastic bracelets proclaiming their thanks to Hashem. And while it’s certainly a good thing to focus on Hashem’s presence in our lives, I’m slightly skeptical. Does this version of gratitude issue from a superficial place? How can we make sure it actually penetrates our spirit in a profound and meaningful way?

Enter Modim. This section of Shemoneh Esreh has been around for millennia, predating all the hype, and is here to ensure that Thank You, Hashem doesn’t end up as a hip sound bite, but continually edifies and informs our relationship with Him.

The word Modim has a double meaning, referencing two separate but related ideas.  The word “modeh” issues from the same root as “hoda’ah,” thanks. When Yehudah, Leah Imeinu’s fourth son, was born, Leah declared, “Hapa’am odeh es Hashem — now I shall give thanks to Hashem (Bereishis 29:35).” As Rashi (ibid.) explains, the Imahos understood that Yaakov would bear 12 shevatim, three children to each of his four wives. When Leah birthed a fourth son, she expressed her overwhelming gratitude to Hashem for giving her more than her natural “portion” of shevatim.

Modeh also denotes acknowledgement or admission. Yehudah is our prototype for this iteration of modeh as well. When Tamar says, “Haker na” (ibid., 38:25), presenting Yehudah with the items he left as collateral, he takes the bold, difficult step of publicly acknowledging that they are his belongings, admitting, “tzadkah mimeni” (ibid., 38:46).