Hi,

Sorry about Friday.  I finally found a computer that is working!

… Leah.  Together with Rachel, the mother of the Jewish People.

Her fourth son was Judah.

… “I will gratefully thank G-d.” “ And she called his name Judah.”  (Genesis, 29:35)

As we have seen, Judah means to thank.

And in Jewish tradition, Leah  teaches us how to thank G-d.

Gratitude is fundamental in Judaism.

And Leah wasn’t the only one to thank G-d.

But she did more than thank G-d.

She called her son “thanks”!

… We know how it is.

Great things happen to us and we’re very grateful.

But life is very hectic.

And after a while?

We sometimes lose sight of our blessings.

… Think of a new baby.

It’s such  a miracle.

The parents feel unbelievably blessed.  Their hearts are full of gratitude.

… But then life goes on.

There’s diaper changing.  Feedings.  Constant crying.

And that’s just the beginning!

Before you turn around?

There’s car pool.  Teenage drivers.  Parties.  College tuition.

… A very tired mother takes her kid to the dentist.  And reminds him which tooth needs work.

The dentist checks and says, ” Are you sure?  I don’t see anything wrong with that tooth!”

The mother gives out a yell, “I don’t believe it.  I brought the wrong kid!”

Sure, she felt blessed to be a Mom.

But at that moment…!

… Leah wanted to make sure that she would always feel as grateful as she was the day her son was born.

So what did she do?

She called his name Judah.  Yehudah.  Thanks.

And whenever she called his name.  Even in a loud voice.  And even in a very loud voice?

She was thankful!

… We all have our challenges.  But we are also blessed in so many ways.

Leah should inspire us to keep sight of our blessings.