Yael: A Woman of Courage and Bravery

In the Book of Judges, we are introduced to a courageous woman called Yael who brought about a great salvation for the Jewish nation. Who was Yael and what role did she play in rescuing the Jewish nation from the hands of its oppressors? 

In the times of the Shoftim (Judges), the Jewish people living in the land of Israel followed a cyclic pattern of sin and repentance. They began by serving Hashem earnestly but were quickly influenced by the heathen nations surrounding them and soon started worshiping foreign gods. The lesson for us is that so often we are affected by the gentile culture in which we live. We need to stand strong against this influence and make sure that we are turning to the Torah for our values and morals and not looking elsewhere. Displeased with their idol worship, Hashem sent enemies to intimidate and attack the Jewish people. Terrified by persecution, the Jews repented and returned to Hashem, only to slip back into idol worship sometime later. The power of teshuva is monumental. As soon as the Jewish people repented, Hashem sent a savior in the form of a shofet to rescue them from their enemies.

In the days of Yael, the Jewish people were harassed by the Canaanite king, Yavin. Together with his general, Sisera, the two were a formidable pair. They owned 900 iron chariots, which would be the modern-day equivalent of advanced military tanks and weaponry. Barak, who was the judge at the time, rallied 10,000 men to wage war against Sisera. The midrash explains how Hashem disarranged the constellations, bringing them closer to Earth. This caused Sisera and his army to feel unbearably hot. Seeing the brook of Kishon nearby, they went to cool off in its refreshing water. 

In the times of the Shoftim (Judges), the Jewish people living in the land of Israel followed a cyclic pattern of sin and repentance. They began by serving Hashem earnestly but were quickly influenced by the heathen nations surrounding them and soon started worshiping foreign gods. The lesson for us is that so often we are affected by the gentile culture in which we live. We need to stand strong against this influence and make sure that we are turning to the Torah for our values and morals and not looking elsewhere.

Hashem performed a miracle, and the Kishon brook which was normally a placid stream of water, swelled and became a raging river. (Ralbag Shoftim Perek 5, PAsuk 21) This caused many Canaanites and their horses to drown. Sisera survived the waters of Kishon, but his army was decimated while trying to escape back to its capital. He knew that his only chance of survival lay in escaping on foot and attempting to hide from his pursuers. 

As Sisera fled, he encountered the tent of Yael, who was married to a man named Chever Hakeini. Yael saw Sisera and recognized him. Thinking quickly, Yael realized that this was her opportunity to overcome the wicked Sisera and she invited him into her tent. Sisera thought that he would be safe in Yael’s tent as there was a peace treaty between Chever and King Yavin. Yael convinced Sisera of his safety by claiming that no man would look for him in the tent of a woman. (Kli Yakar Shoftim Perek Daled) Yael showed incredible leadership by inviting Sisera into her home. As Jewish women, we have the power to influence our families and communities for the good and we need to harness this power for avodat Hashem.  

The exhausted Sisera accepted Yael’s invitation and entered her tent. Yael covered him with a blanket and offered him a cup of milk to drink. The milk made Sisera drowsy, but before succumbing to sleep he ordered Yael to keep guard at the entrance to her tent. As soon as Sisera fell asleep, Yael approached him with a tent peg. With a prayer on her lips beseeching Hashem to help her, she forcefully drove the peg into Sisera’s head, killing him immediately. With incredible bravery and strength, Yael freed the Jewish people from a cruel and tyrannical leader. 

There is much that can be learned from the heroic actions of Yael. She demonstrates courage by inviting Sisera into her tent, knowing that he was an enemy of the Jews and thus potentially risking her life. She displayed bravery by initiating contact with such a feared general.  She also shows allegiance to the Jewish people by endangering herself to rescue them from their enemies. Yael acted selflessly when she welcomed Sisera into her tent. She thought only of the Jewish people and the salvation they would experience by being rid of this formidable foe, and she focused on the kiddush Hashem that Sisera’s death would create. 

Yael shows faith and fortitude by slaying a mighty ruler, without fear of repercussions from the vengeful Canaanites. One must remember that the Canaanites were far more numerous and much stronger than the Jewish people. For Yael to invite Sisera into her tent was an act of strength and righteousness. Despite not being a general of war or a part of the military in any way, Yael was instrumental in helping the Jews defeat their enemies. Yael shows us how a Jewish woman needs faith and trust in Hashem to overcome obstacles and how we need to be strong and courageous against evil and evildoers.

Furthermore, Yael teaches us the power of a Jewish woman. She shows us how to have bravery and resilience in the face of hardship. Yael shows us how to show initiative to help the Jewish people and to create a kiddush Hashem. She demonstrates that a woman can turn the tide of battle in favor of the Jewish people and can help them win a decisive victory against their enemies. We learn from Yael how to stand up against tyranny and wickedness and to take a stand against evildoers. 

This is what prompted the prophetess Devora to praise Yael for her actions. “Blessed by women is Yael, wife of Chever Hakeini, by women in the tent she will be blessed.” (Shoftim 5, 24)  Who are the women in the tents who will bless Yael? This refers to none other than the Matriarchs! They will bless Yael because their efforts in building the Jewish people would have come to naught if not for Yael removing Sisera’s threat to the survival of the Jewish people. (Bereishit Rabba 48:15)  

Yael is compared to some of the most righteous women in Jewish history. It went against her nature to murder, but she realized that she had to act to save the Jewish nation. 

The story of Yael may have happened thousands of years ago, but the lessons she teaches us are timeless. We too have the power to be courageous and strong for the sake of Hashem and the Jewish people. We too should show initiative in fighting evil. We too have tremendous strength and power that should be harnessed in the service of G-d. 

In the times of Egyptian bondage, it was the merit of the virtuous women that caused the redemption from slavery. In this long and bitter exile, it will also be the women whose merit cause Moshiach to come. May we merit to see it soon in our days!