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"Giving Thanks!"

Writer's picture: Elissa FelderElissa Felder


"Giving Thanks" Jacob marries two sisters, Leah and Rachel. "Hashem saw that Leah was unloved, so, God opened her womb; but Rachel remained barren." Leah conceives and bears six sons, after the birth of her fourth son she declares, "This time let me gratefully praise Hashem"; therefore, she called his name Judah;"

In the words of Rabbi Yochanan: "From the day Gd created the world, no-one thanked Him, until Leah expressed her gratitude. We read, "She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and she said, "This time I will give thanks (Odeh) to Gd," and he was called Judah.

Leah prophetically knew that Jacob would father twelve sons. With the birth of her fourth son, she understood that she is to be the mother of at least one-third of his twelve sons. She acknowledges that she has been blessed with more than her 'fair' share, more than she felt entitled to or expected.

The name Judah, Yehuda contains the letters of Gd's Ineffable Name, as well as the root of the word which means, "Thankfulness" and "Praise."

To be grateful for the good, (hakarat hatov,) is fundamentally an important trait

we are enjoined to cultivate and work on. We are the Yehudim ! People who give thanks to Gd.

All that we have been blessed with is a gift, we are not entitled or owed anything. "Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot."(Pirke Avot 4:1)

By focusing on and recognizing the good, we flex and strengthen our gratitude muscles.

May we follow in the footsteps of Leah, who was the first to give thanks to Gd, who acknowledged her blessings, understanding that they are beyond anything she was entitled to, and who was able to express that wholeheartedly.

Much love Elissa


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