Parsha Pearls

“And Yehuda approached him...”

Why are the Jewish people called Yehudim? It comes from the name Yehuda יהודה. Why was Yehuda named that way? Because his mother Leah said הַפַעַם אוֹדֶה אֶת־ה' “this time I will thank Hashem” - יהודה is related to the word אוֹדֶה. In his insights on the parsha, the Sefas Emes (Vayigash, 5631) quotes the Chidushei HaRim saying: We are called Yehudim because we thank Hashem for every small and big thing, since we know that everything is from Hashem.

As you go through your day, notice the big and the “little” blessings that your loving Father in Shamayim sends to you, and thank Him for each one of them. Why? Because you are a Yehudi.