Leah’s Lesson in Gratitude: Appreciating What We Have
By: Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung, High School Judaic Studies Teacher
Rabbi at United Orthodox Synagogues
Leah’s first three children are named for what she does not have: the rank of first in her husband’s heart. Indeed, Yaakov loves Leah, as we read: וַיֶּאֱהַב גַּם אֶת רָחֵל מִלֵּאָה- And Yaakov also loved Rachel more than Leah.
However, Leah is first blessed with children. She calls her first son Reuven, meaning
רָאָה ה׳ בְּעׇנְיִי - “Hashem saw my pain. Because now my husband will love me.”
Her second son is Shimon, as in כִּי שָׁמַע ה׳ כִּי שְׂנוּאָה אָנֹכִי- because God heard that I am hated.
Her third son is named Levi, as in עַתָּה הַפַּעַם יִלָּוֶה אִישִׁי אֵלַי - “Now, this time, my husband will accompany me because I have borne him three sons.”
Unfortunately for Leah, this does not happen. Rachel remains first in Yaakov’s eyes.
Nonetheless, when she bears a child again, she names him Yehuda:
הַפַּעַם אוֹדֶה אֶת ה׳ - "This time, odeh, I will give thanks to God.”
Whereas the first three tribes are named for what Leah does not have, this fourth child is named for what she does have.
Yet, not all of her problems are solved. Does her husband love her best? What is her day to experience? How has their relationship changed during the first years of their marriage? These questions are left unanswered but it remains clear throughout the narrative of the coming parshiyot that Yaakov will always love Rachel most.
Yet, Leah is grateful for her son. Not because all of her problems have been solved and not because she has finally gotten what she wants. Rather, she has changed. She has learned to appreciate and want what she has.
In this manner, Leah sets the standard for gratitude in Judaism.
Rabbi Yochanan says in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai: from the day that God created His world, no one ever thanked God until Leah came and thanked Him, as it says, הפעם אודה את ה׳, this time I will thank God.
Of course, it is not possible that no one ever thanked God before Leah. But did anyone thank God while they suffered? Or did anyone ever model for us so clearly what it means to be grateful while being aware of what we do not have, things we may deeply desire or even need?
Leah’s gratitude makes a mark that cannot be erased. When we focus on what we have and not on what we do not, we may think of her, our teacher in gratitude. הפעם אודה את ה. This time, I will thank God, not because my life is perfect but because it has so many things I love and appreciate.