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How could Leah be the first to thank Hashem (ה׳) when Adam, Noach, and others clearly expressed gratitude before her? The shiur distinguishes between past-oriented thanks and Leah's revolutionary future-oriented hoda'ah - dedicating Yehuda's entire existence to revealing God's glory. This explains why it happened specifically with her fourth son, when she received 'more than her share.'
The shiur begins with a fundamental question from the Gemara (גמרא) in Brachos regarding Leah's statement 'hapa'am odeh es Hashem (ה׳)' (this time I will thank Hashem) when naming Yehuda. The Gemara claims no one had thanked God from creation until Leah, yet we know Adam HaRishon, Noach, Hevel, and Kayin all brought offerings and expressed gratitude. Additionally, Rashi (רש"י) explains that Leah knew through ruach hakodesh she would have more than her share of children (four wives, twelve sons), but why should having 'more than one's share' require special gratitude? The resolution comes through analyzing a Gemara in Kesubos about 'oseh tzedakah bechol eis' (doing charity at all times). The Gemara explains this refers to one who raises orphans and marries them off. The key insight is that by establishing orphans completely - bringing them to marriage - one gains a share in everything they accomplish for their entire lives. This is 'tzedakah bechol eis' - charity that works eternally.
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Brachos 7b, Kesubos 50a, Sotah 10b
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