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
gave thanks to God.
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.
In the words of Rabbi Yochanan:
"From the day God 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 God," and he was called Judah”
The name Judah, Yehuda contains the letters of God'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.
Jews are called- the Yehudim ! People who give thanks to God.
All that we have been blessed with is a gift, we are not entitled or owed anything.
"Who is rich?
The one who is grateful for what they have."
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 God,
who acknowledged her blessings,
understanding that they are beyond anything she felt entitled to, and
who was able to express that wholeheartedly.
Shabbat shalom and much love
Elissa
Comments