Leah

Many have the practice to recite, in the prayer following Shemoneh Esrei, a verse that starts and ends with the same letter as their name, or that contains their name, or both. This is considered a source of merit. In this series, we will briefly analyze these verses.

לַה’ הַיְשׁוּעָה עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶךָ סֶּלָה

Salvation is Hashem’s. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah! - Psalms 3:9

The verse for the name Leah is probably familiar from the havdalah service at the conclusion of Shabbos. Rashi explains the verse to describe a “division of labor” between G-d and the Jewish people as follows:

“Salvation is Hashem’s” – it’s G-d’s “job” to save us.

“Your blessing is upon Your people” – conversely, the Jewish people are required to thank and praise G-d for His salvation. (This is a perpetual obligation as “selah” is understood to mean “forever.)

Verses for women's names may be found in the book Rigshei Lev by Rabbi Menachem Nissel, based upon Tefillah Yesharah/The Boston Siddur.