Fresh vs Dried Bay Leaves for Lentil Soup

Okay.....I make a very simply lentil soup..my Mother’s...1 pound lentils,... a really good smoked ham hock...a few onions sliced on slivers..BAY LEAVES. ..fresh or dried..Better than Bouillion....or bouillon cubes...and at least 8 cups of water...adjust salt and pepper at the end...thin if you wish. Serve and add a bit of vinegar if you wish. That’s it. End of discussion. Memory...I had a cold or flu...couldn’t eat...Mom left the house....a pot of the above was on the stove...I was feeling better...helped myself....a 60 year plus memory.