Thanksgiving 2025 (Vayeitzei – 11/29/25)

Thanksgiving 2025

Did the Rabbis schedule Parshat Vayeitzei to be read on Thanksgiving? I don’t think so, but this year, the synchronicity could not be more meaningful.

In our Parsha, the word “thanks” is mentioned for the first time in the Torah.

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

Leah conceived again and bore a son, and declared, “This time I will thank God.” Therefore, she named him Judah.

Judah’s naming starkly contrasts with those of her previous sons. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi all reflect Leah’s bitterness at being the unfavored wife.

Leah conceived and bore a son, and named him Reuben; for she declared, “God has seen my affliction, now my husband will love me.’

She conceived again and bore a son, and declared, “God heard that I was unloved and has given me this one also,” so she named him Simon.

Again, she conceived and bore a son and declared, “This time my husband will become attached to me, for I have borne him three sons.” Therefore, he was named Levi.

With the fourth son, however, Leah seems to have a change of heart.

This boy’s name is independent of her relationship with her husband. She has let go of what she can’t control, and now takes joy and satisfaction in her blessings; she’s the mother of four beautiful children.

“This time I will thank God.”

Leah will have more children, some from her and some from her maidservant, Zilpah, and each time, their names will reflect their blessing, not what she lacks.

Leah said, “What luck!” So she named him Gad.

Leah declared, “What fortune!” meaning, “Women will deem me fortunate.” So she named him Asher.

And Leah said, “God has given me my reward for having given my maid to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.

Although Leah never became Jacob’s favorite wife, she chose not to let this define her happiness. Instead, she shifted her focus from what she desired to the blessings she already had.

We all know things are far from perfect domestically and in Israel. Some of us are struggling with health or family issues. Thanksgiving, though, is not about celebrating when all is perfect. The first years of the Pilgrims were fraught with challenges. Nonetheless, they gave thanks for their blessings. Thanksgiving is about appreciating what we have, and we all have much to be thankful for.

Leah taught us to stop bemoaning what we can’t change and appreciate what we have. The perfect lesson for this Thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful week,

R’ Neil