SPONSORED BY SHARONA, JOSH, DOV AND MOSHE HALICKMAN IN HONOR OF THE BIRTH OF OUR NEW BABY YEHUDA MACCABI

Shortly before Yaakov passes away, he blesses each of his children. The blessing for his son, Yehuda (Breisheet 49:9) states: "Yehuda is a young lion. You have risen above plunder my son. He crouches, rests like a lion, like an awesome lion who will rouse him?"

The Rebbe of Kotsk explained that Yehuda did Tshuvah (repented) for selling Yosef. The pasuk says "you have risen above plunder". Since Yehuda did Tshuvah, he was actually on a higher level than the greatest tzadikim. As the saying goes, in the place that ba.alei tshuvah stand, even the greatest tzadikim can.t stand.

Rabbi Chanoch of Alexander explained that Yaakov is praising Yehuda here. Even after Yehuda sinned with Tamar, he became strengthened and overcame his wrongdoing like a lion.

The author of the Sfat Emet adds that because of Yehuda.s behavior, the Mashiach will be created. In the name Yehuda there are the same letters as God.s name- Yud, Hey, Vav, Hey. There is an additional letter, Dalet to hint that even when Yehuda is "dal", weak, God is still with him.

Radak.s view is that Yehudah is first compared to a young lion, since at first he does not have the kingship. However, in the end even though he is not the oldest brother, he will be the ruler. King David would later descend from Yehuda.

King David transgressed as well but he also admitted his wrongdoings and did Tshuvah. The Mashiach will descend from King David.

Even our greatest Biblical leaders had faults and transgressed. The true leaders were the ones that were able to admit their wrongdoings and move on.

Let.s try to emulate Yehuda and King David keeping in mind the words of the Sfat Emet, even when we are weak God is still with us and will accept our repentance.