Women of Faith and Judgement

Faithful Leaders who happen to be women

If the Torah portion and in the Haf Torah portion for this week we have examples of exemplary Women. They are not exemplary because they are women who did something great, they are exemplary because they did something great and just happen to be women.

Through out the history of humanity and the Jewish people women have preserved the people and brought relief in times of struggle and adversity. Many times in history it has been women that have stood between annihilation and continuance. In some of these occasions this has been accomplished not through violence but love and encouragement. In many of the Rabbinic midrash, it is taught that in Egypt and at other times of occupation the men actually wanted to give up having children. They felt so hopeless and in despair that they did not want to continue any more generations. It was the wives who encouraged and emboldened their husbands to continue to have children even in the face of adversity.

Weather it is a song of future joy in the face of oppression, a spiritual anchor in the home, or a nurturing mother women have been faithful leaders through out history. They relieve us in establishing hope and faithfulness, they encourage us in observance and study of Adonai, and they comfort us while turning our houses in to homes and our groups in to communities.

It is a fact every one has a mother. It is the nature of a mother to love and nurish her children. As well it is not uncommon for a mother to love and cherish other children too. While this happens in different capacities it is part of the complete design Adonai has wrought in mothers.

Weather it is a song of future joy in the face of oppression, a spirtual anchor in the home, or a nurturing mother women have been faithful leaders through out history. They relieve us in establishing hope and faithfulness, they encourage us in observance and study of Adonai, and they comfort us while turning our houses in to homes and our groups in to communities.

We will look at some examples of these women who have been faithful leaders as they have held these roles.

First let us look at the Mariam Sister of Moses and Daughter Amram. According to the sages Miriam was only five years old when she became her mother’s helper in delivering Jewish babies, but she was already quite competent. Regardless of competency to be this age and a helper during birth speaks well of a person. As well when the cruel Pharaoh gave the order that all Jewish baby boys should be thrown into the river, her parents decided to separate and have no more children, for they already had a daughter and son. Then the six-year old Miriam said to her father, “Your decree is worse than Pharaoh’s, for Pharaoh aimed at boys only, while you would prevent both boys and girls from being born.” Being the leader of the Jewish people, Amram had set an example which other Jews were quick to follow, and they too divorced their wives. Amram saw the wisdom of his young daughter, and he remarried his wife, whereupon all others also remarried their wives. The following year Moses was born.

In the Torah we read about the Prophetess Miriam becomes. She leads the people with her brothers out of Egypt. She assists in maintaining the faith and promotes Torah study among all the people. To me something that is the most telling example of her leadership and bringer of hope and an example of faith is found in

20Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing, 21as Miriam sang to them:

Holy Scriptures: Tree of Life Version Chapter 15

20Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing, 21as Miriam sang to them:

Sing to ADONAI, for He is highly exalted!

The horse and its rider

He has thrown into the sea!

Sing to Adonai, for He is highly exalted!

The horse and its rider

Imagine what it was like in Egypt you witnessed the plagues happening. At the 9th plague it is so dark that you can feel it. It is like a thing that can be touched. Then the word comes that everyone is about to leave. Every house is busy preparing a passover meal. Blood is painted on door frames. Bread is packed in haste. The smell of the blood and bread and pack animals all mixing together. That night you hear the anguish cries of Egypt as the first borns in every house hold are taken. In the morning you are told to leave and to take everything you have with you and the Egyptians that have treated your family harshly are giving you their treasures to take with you if you will just go and leave.

He has thrown into the sea!

Imagine what it was like in Egypt you witnessed the plagues happening. At the 9th plague it is so dark that you can feel it. It is like a thing that can be touched. Then the word comes that everyone is about to leave. Every house is busy preparing a passover meal. Blood is painted on door frames. Bread is packed in haste. The smell of the blood and bread and pack animals all mixing together. That night you hear the anguish cries of Egypt as the first borns in every house hold are taken. In the morning you are told to leave and to take everything you have with you and the Egyptians that have treated your family harshly are giving you their treasures to take with you if you will just go and leave.

What might be something you would take with you? Food, water, clothing, materials like wood, cloth, leather? Probably would take tools, weapons, camping supplies and maybe even carts to carry things in. What about instruments would that be on your mind? What skills would you be ready to practice? Would singing and dancing be on your mind? It was on Miriam’s. She had such faith that she knew there would be miracles and wonders and the people would need to sing and dance in praise of Adonai. So Miriam is an example of a leader in the face of oppression who brought hope and faith.

Next let us look at D’vorah. D’vorah is an example of a leader who was very spiritual and promoted the study of Torah. D’vorah was also a prophetess, leader, wife and judge in Israel. She would guide the nation through troubled times under the oppression of King Yavin.

Devorah Miriam

The sages tell a story about how D’vorah would help her husband.

Devorah's husband was unlearned (am ha'aretz). She said to him, "Let me make you wicks and you'll take them to the Tabernacle in Shilo; your portion will be among righteous people there and you'll merit the World to Come. He made thick wicks to increase their light, and that's why his name was Lapidot ("torches"). And God said to Devorah, "You both intended to light up the Tabernacle; I, too, will make your light shine in Israel and Judah, and among all the 12 tribes." (Eliyahu Rabba, Chapter 9)

Lapidot was a man of the earth. He was a physically gifted man but was not know for wisdom or intellect as his wife was. She did not through this in his face or bully him with her mind. She instead encouraged him to use his strengths in service to HaShem. She does not encourage Lapidot to take a class, study more, or become more intellectual. She knows this is not his personality and she cannot make him into something he’s not. Instead, she recognizes his capability as a doer, a man of action. So she becomes the enabler, wisely directing him to become righteous within his abilities. We see this feminine style of leadership, perceiving peoples needs and subtlety guiding them in a gentle path to betterment.

We see this applied as well as D’vorah leads the nation to war in

Holy Scriptures: Tree of Life Version Chapter 4

4Now Deborah, a woman who was a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and Bnei-Yisrael came up to her for judgment. 6Now she sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t ADONAI, God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go, march to Mount Tabor, and take with you 10,000 men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun? 7Then at the Kishon torrent, I will draw out to you Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army with his chariots and his multitude, and I will give him into your hand.’ ”

8But Barak said to her, “If you are going with me, then I will go. But if you aren’t going with me, I won’t go.”

9“Surely I will go with you,” she said. “However, no honor will be yours on the way that you are about to go—for ADONAI will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” So Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10Then Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh, and 10,000 men marched up after him, and Deborah went up with him.

4Now Deborah, a woman who was a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and Bnei-Yisrael came up to her for judgment. 6Now she sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t Adonai, God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go, march to Mount Tabor, and take with you 10,000 men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun? 7Then at the Kishon torrent, I will draw out to you Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army with his chariots and his multitude, and I will give him into your hand.’ ”

As we first read this we may think D’vorah is mocking Barak. She tells him “no honor will be yours...”. D’vorah is not mocking Barak she is warning him. Adonai has given the victory to Israel regardless of who leads the people up. Barak’s answer is not one of cowardice either. He is not worried but honor for himself but honor for Adonai. What better way to honor Adonai than for his prophetess to be honored.

8But Barak said to her, “If you are going with me, then I will go. But if you aren’t going with me, I won’t go.”

9“Surely I will go with you,” she said. “However, no honor will be yours on the way that you are about to go—for Adonai will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” So Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10Then Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh, and 10,000 men marched up after him, and Deborah went up with him.

As we first read this we may think D’vorah is mocking Barak. She tells him “no honor will be yours...”. D’vorah is not mocking Barak she is warning him. Adonai has given the victory to Israel regardless of who leads the people up. Barak’s answer is nto one of cowardice either. He is not worried but honor for himself but honor for Adonai. What better way to honor Adonai than for his prophetess to be honored.

Later even though D’vorah has had this great victory and she led the nation in battle she does not forget who she is. She is a prophetess, leader, judge and teacher. Yet how does she describe herself? We read in

Holy Scriptures: Tree of Life Version Chapter 5

7Villages were deserted in Israel,

deserted, until I, Deborah, arose,

a mother in Israel arose.

She never forgot she was a wife and mother. She always would be a wife and mother. It was her devotion and duty in this that led her to being great as a judge and prophetess.

deserted, until I, Deborah, arose,

a mother in Israel arose.

She never forgot she was a wife and mother. She always would be a wife and mother. It was her devotion and duty in this that led her to being great as a judge and prophetess.

Lastly we will look at a truly humble woman. Who was a leader of a very small group. She was a leader of only her family. she was not know to be highly educated. She was not know to be prophetic though she did receive a prophecy. She was not known for being great in any outwardly perceivable way. Yet our God is so great he sees our inner most being and deemed her worthy to be mother of his son Yeshua.

Holy Scriptures: Tree of Life Version Chapter 1

26Then in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by ADONAI into a town in the Galilee named Natzeret 27and to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Miriam. 28And coming to her, the angel said, “Shalom, favored one! ADONAI is with you.” 29But at the message, she was perplexed and kept wondering what kind of greeting this might be. 30The angel spoke to her, “Do not be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you shall call His name Yeshua. 32He will be great and will be called Ben-Elyon. ADONAI Elohim will give Him the throne of David, His father. 33He shall reign over the house of Jacob for all eternity, and His kingdom will be without end.”

34Miriam said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am not intimate with a man?”

35And responding, the angel said to her, “The Ruach ha-Kodesh will come upon you, and the power of Elyon will overshadow you. Therefore, the Holy One being born will be called Ben-Elohim. 36Behold, even your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son in her old age; and the one who was called barren is six months pregnant. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.”

38So Miriam said, “Behold, the servant of ADONAI. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

34Miriam said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am not intimate with a man?”

35And responding, the angel said to her, “The Ruach ha-Kodesh will come upon you, and the power of Elyon will overshadow you. Therefore, the Holy One being born will be called Ben-Elohim. 36Behold, even your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son in her old age; and the one who was called barren is six months pregnant. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Miriam humbly accepted the will of Adonai. Her service was also humble. She would not lead the people out of oppression, nor did she lead them in battle. She saved not just the nation of Israel but the entire world by leading the most fierce and sincere battle, the battle of the home. She may not have been able to teach Yeshua the Torah or have inspired him to greatness as he the word made flesh and the source inspiration. She could teach him to walk, teach him to talk, she made his meals, clothed him, she would create a home for him, she would nurse his wounds, when he was persecuted and dying in anguish she visited him. In doing this she raised a son destined to die knowing she could not help him in any way other than to mother him with all her strength. In the end it was her duty as a woman and as a mother that provided comfort to Yeshua through out his life.

38So Miriam said, “Behold, the servant of Adonai. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

Miriam humbly accepted the will of Adonai. Her service was also humble. She would not lead the people out of oppression, nor did she lead them in battle. She saved not just the nation of Israel but the entire world by leading the most fierce and sincer battle, the battle of the home. She may not have been able to teach Yeshua the Torah or have inspired him to greatness as he the word made flesh and the source inspiration. She could teach him to walk, teach him to talk, she made his meals, clothed him, she would create a home for him, she would nurse his wounds, when he was persecuted and dieing in anguish she visited him. In doing this she raised a son destined to die knowing she could not help him in any way other than to mother him with all her strength. In the end it was her duty as a woman as a mother that provided the most comfort to Yeshua through out his life.

It is the privilege of the women to light the candles on shabbat. A reason for this as taught by the sages is it is the woman(mother, wife) who determines the spirituality in the home. By encouraging the study of Torah and the meticulous performance of mitzvot, and through her nurturing presence( i.e. womanly nature), the woman transforms her home into a place of holiness, peace and tranquility. It is thus fitting that she be the one to bring the extra measure of light and holiness with the Shabbat candles.

It is a fact every one has a mother. It is the nature of a mother to love and nourish her children. As well it is not uncommon for a mother to love and cherish other children too. While this happens in different capacities it is part of the complete design Adonai has wrought in mothers and thus in women. As a human thank you women for being women. All people both male and female need women to be women. Adonai has designed you and made you as women because creation needs women.