לאה

Leah is an ancient and honored Hebrew name, deeply woven into Jewish and Israeli consciousness. The name carries multiple and varied meanings: the literal meaning of the name is "weary" or "tired," but some interpret it also as "wild cow" or "antelope" in Aramaic, symbolizing a strong and powerful creature. In another interpretation, the name is connected to the root "la'ah" meaning longing and desire, expressing emotional and spiritual depth. Biblical Leah is one of the four matriarchs of the Jewish people, the first wife of Jacob and mother of six of the tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, as well as her daughter Dinah. Her life story, described in the Book of Genesis, is one of the most moving and complex stories in the Bible. Leah was the eldest daughter of Laban the Aramean, and her younger sister Rachel was Jacob's beloved. Although Jacob worked seven years to marry Rachel, Laban deceived him and substituted Leah for Rachel on the wedding night. The scripture describes Leah as having "tender eyes," an expression that has received many interpretations - some interpret it as beautiful and gentle eyes, while others see it as a hint to weak eyes or eyes tearful from crying over her fate. Leah's life is characterized by a constant struggle for love and recognition. She knew that Jacob loved her sister Rachel more than her, and from this pain she named her sons with names expressing her longing for her husband's love: Reuben - "see my affliction," Simeon - "God heard my distress," Levi - "now my husband will be attached to me." However, with the birth of her fourth son, Judah, a change occurred - she named him "this time I will praise God," expressing gratitude to the Creator regardless of Jacob's love. This change symbolizes spiritual maturation and a transition from dependence on another to emotional independence. Leah was buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron alongside Jacob, and she is the only woman among the matriarchs who received this honor, testifying to her special status in Jewish history. From Leah's sons came the tribe of Judah, from which descends the dynasty of the kings of Israel and the House of David, and the tribe of Levi, the tribe of priesthood and Levites. The name Leah carries a message of inner strength, perseverance, faith, and self-respect despite difficulties, and it symbolizes deep and authentic femininity that does not depend on external validation.

לֵאָה

Leah | Lea | Lia

Girl

No

Genesis 29:31 - And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren

In Kabbalah, the name Leah symbolizes the attribute of understanding (Binah) and spiritual depth. Leah represents the inner and hidden side, in contrast to Rachel who represents external revelation. She is connected to the upper world and the deep root of the soul, and is identified with the inner light that does not depend on external recognition. Kabbalah sees Leah as the spiritual mother of the Jewish people, the one who merited burial in the Cave of Machpelah because she represents the eternal and internal connection with the land and the people.

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Lea Michele - American actress and singer | Lea Seydoux - French actress | Lea Thompson - American actress | Lea Salonga - Filipino singer and actress | Leah Remini - American actress | Léa Drucker - French actress | Leah Goldberg - Israeli poet and author | Leah Rabin - wife of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin

ליאה | ליה | רחל | שרה | רבקה | דינה | ליאת

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