The unusual bravery of the heroine Yael, who killed Sisera, the general of the Canaanite army, is a fascinating story even for women of our generation. Israel, at the time, was oppressed by the king of Canaan, Yabin (Jabin), and cried out for salvation. Yael, with wisdom and courage, was G-d's messenger to deliver the Jewish people.
Deborah the prophetess, who composed the famous Shirath Deborah, recounts the outstanding deed of Yael and uses the following phrase: "Blessed by women is Yael ... by the women in the tent will she be blessed" (Judges 5:24). It is interesting to note that the phrase "MiNashim BaOhel Teborakh" (by the women in the tent will she be blessed) became an idiomatic phrase that is often used when referring to women. The image of a lady killing an army general, a masculine role quite unheard of for women, is in contradiction to the acceptable image of Jewish women praised for their modesty, remaining within their 'tent'. How then can we explain the fact that we use the above phrase to refer to any Jewish woman, considering her unconventional behavior?
Perhaps an answer to this question is hidden within another question. We would expect that if Yael had no choice in the matter but to carry out her mission of delivering the Jewish people, she would logically use a sword or similar weapon. She consciously chose to use a hammer and a peg instead. Why?
In Debarim (Deuteronomy) 22:5, the Torah instructs women not to wear men's clothing. This does not only apply to clothing but to utensils also. Even during those difficult times of oppression, Yael sought to find a solution that would enable her to proudly hold on to her sacred role of being a Jewish woman. One could reasonably argue that those times justified flexibility in this matter, but Yael was uncompromising about her essential essence as a Jewish woman, and did what was required of her without giving up her holy values.
For this she deserves to be praised by women in the tent. She wisely preserved her feminine role, defined by the Torah, yet was proactive, leading the entire Jewish nation into the gate of victory.
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haftarah of beshallach, beshalach, shirat d'vorah, minashim baohel tevorach, devarim, d'varim, rabbanit rebetzin rebbetzin ruth menashe
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