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Genesis 29:35 - Praise births Yehuda's destiny

Genesis 29:35 - בראשית 29:35

Hebrew Text

וַתַּהַר עוֹד וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתֹּאמֶר הַפַּעַם אוֹדֶה אֶת־יְהוָה עַל־כֵּן קָרְאָה שְׁמוֹ יְהוּדָה וַתַּעֲמֹד מִלֶּדֶת׃

English Translation

And she conceived again, and bore a son and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Yehuda, and she left off bearing.

Transliteration

Va'tahar od va'teled ben va'tomer ha'pa'am ode et-Adonai al-ken kara shmo Yehuda va'ta'amod miledet.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתַּ֨הַר ע֜וֹד וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֗ן וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַפַּ֙עַם֙ אוֹדֶ֣ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־כֵּ֛ן קָרְאָ֥ה שְׁמ֖וֹ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד מִלֶּֽדֶת׃
וַתַּ֨הַר ע֜וֹד וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֗ן וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַפַּ֙עַם֙ אוֹדֶ֣ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־כֵּ֛ן קָרְאָ֥ה שְׁמ֖וֹ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד מִלֶּֽדֶת׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Naming of Yehuda

The verse (Bereishit 29:35) describes Leah naming her fourth son Yehuda (Judah), declaring, "This time I will praise Hashem." Rashi explains that Leah recognized she had received more than her fair share of sons—since Yaakov had four wives, she had now borne more than the expected portion. This gratitude led her to explicitly praise Hashem, unlike with her previous sons.

Leah's Spiritual Growth

Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that Leah's acknowledgment of divine kindness marks her spiritual maturity. While her earlier namings reflected personal struggles (e.g., Reuven for "seeing" her affliction, Shimon for "hearing" her pain), Yehuda’s name signifies pure thanksgiving. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 71:4) adds that Leah was the first person in history to offer hoda’ah (thanksgiving) to Hashem, setting a precedent for future generations.

The Significance of "Yehuda"

  • Etymology: The name derives from "odeh" (I will thank), linking it to Leah’s declaration. The Sforno emphasizes that this name reflects a higher level of divine service—gratitude beyond petition or need.
  • Historical Role: Yehuda’s descendants became the leaders of Israel (e.g., King David, Mashiach). The Talmud (Pesachim 119b) teaches that all Jews are called "Yehudim" (Jews) after Yehuda, as our identity is rooted in acknowledging Hashem’s sovereignty.

Leah's Cessation from Childbearing

The phrase "vatamod miledet" (she left off bearing) is interpreted by the Baal HaTurim as a temporary pause—later, Leah bore two more sons (Yissachar and Zevulun) and a daughter (Dina). This teaches that gratitude opens doors to further blessings, as her recognition of Hashem’s kindness led to additional offspring.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the significance of names and the act of praising God, highlighting Leah's gratitude upon the birth of Yehuda.
📖 Sotah 10b
The verse is mentioned in the context of Leah's righteousness and her acknowledgment of God's kindness, illustrating the importance of gratitude in Jewish thought.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Leah name her son Yehuda (Judah)?
A: Leah named her son Yehuda (from the Hebrew root 'hoda'ah,' meaning 'thanks' or 'praise') because she expressed gratitude to Hashem for this child. Rashi explains that Leah recognized she had received more than her fair share of sons (she had four, while the other wives had fewer at that point), so she praised Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of Yehuda (Judah) in the Torah?
A: Yehuda became the ancestor of the tribe of Judah, which later produced King David and will produce Mashiach (the Messiah). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah) highlights that Leah's naming of Yehuda was prophetic, as this tribe would lead in praising Hashem and eventually produce kingship in Israel.
Q: Why did Leah stop having children after Yehuda?
A: The verse says Leah 'stopped bearing' after Yehuda, but later she had two more sons (Issachar and Zebulun) and a daughter (Dinah). Rashi explains that she thought she would have no more children, but Hashem later blessed her again. This teaches that divine blessings are not always predictable.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Leah naming Yehuda?
A: Leah's response teaches the importance of gratitude ('hakarat hatov'). Even though she was in a difficult marital situation, she recognized Hashem's kindness. The Rambam teaches that acknowledging blessings leads to more blessings, as we see later when Leah was granted more children.
Q: How is the name Yehuda connected to Jewish identity today?
A: The name Yehuda is the source of the word 'Yehudi' (Jew), as the tribe of Judah became the dominant tribe after the kingdom split. The Talmud (Megillah 13a) states that all Jews are called 'Yehudim' because we acknowledge ('modeh') Hashem's sovereignty, following Leah's example of praise.