Parshas Beshalach (Shira) 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Jan 28
- 2 min read
ותשר דבורה ... (שפטים ה-א)
The famous Shiras Devorah details the battle between the Jewish people (led by Barak Ben Avinoam and the tribes of Naftali and Zevulin) and the army of the Canaanite General, Sisera. The Jewish people were victorious and Sisera - who was forced to flee the battlefield - sought shelter in the tent of Chever HaKeini. Weary and caught off-guard, Sisera fell asleep and Chever’s wife, Yael, seized the moment and killed him with the peg of the tent. Of all the men and woman who could have brought about the Jewish nation’s victory, why were Devorah and Yael the ones to facilitate it?
R’ Chaim Kanievsky zt”l points out that the Navi wrote that Devorah HaNeviah was “the wife of Lapidos” and reiterated three times that Yael was “the wife of Chever HaKeini.” If the salvation came because of these two women, why was it even necessary to mention their husbands?
Explains R’ Chaim, Chazal tell us that although women should aspire to achieve great things in life, a true Jewish wife plays the vital role of "עזר כנגדו" - a “helper” to her husband and family. Sarah Imeinu was the first woman to teach this lesson by demonstrating how she was "עושה רצון בעלה" - “doing the will of her husband” and how she was always available to aid Avraham Avinu in his holy work, restoring lost souls. Devorah and Yael learned this lesson well and although they were the critical players of the Jewish Nation’s victory, they never strayed from their stated purpose and unique role to their husbands and families.