Text Box:   Both the Parasha (Sidra) and the Haftorah this week tell of confrontations with Israel’s enemies and songs being sung in celebration of victory.   The violent and turbulent history of Israel from the time of the death of Joshua and the time of the prophet Samuel is covered by the book of Judges. There are struggles with both Canaanites and Philistines as Israel sinks her roots into the G-d given land of their inheritance. The nation has twelve tribes set as a loose confederation, and in times of distress a judge would arise, around whom the nation would gather.  Deborah was one such leader of Israel.  She is one of only five women the Tenach refers to as a prophetess. The other four were Miriam , sister of Moses, the un-named wife of Isaiah, simply called a woman prophet, Hulda who played a leading role under the kingship of Josiah of Judah, and Noadiah who was an opponent of Nehemiah.    Let’s look at the song of Deborah starting in Chapter 5.  It is one of the more heavily analyzed poems of world literature.  The poem features six partners in the war while the prose only mentions Naphtali and Zdebulun.  The Wadi Kishon is mentioned in both poems while Mount Tabor is absent from the poem.  Further differences are that Yael overcomes a waking Sisera in the poem while in the prose tale Sisera is asleep.  Prose and poem and songs don’t always agree on all the details but they still tell the tale of the time.    Verse two mentions an item of importance when it states when the Israelites let their hair grow loose.  What does that mean? I believe that the men of the army had taken a Nazarite vow and would not cut their hair until they had finished their service and victory was won.  This was not just a vow to an army, they made it a vow to G-d.   Verse 10 mentions to whom this song is to be considered. “Those who ride a white donkey, ride in saddles (assumed on camels) and those who walk on the roads.”  In other words, from the rich to the poor, this is for everyone.   The battle is described including the chastising of some tribes.  Verses 16-17 seem to find fault with the tribes of Reuben, who had leaders of resolute mind but wrestled only in their minds.  Did they only assist with the planning but refuse to fight? Gilead, Dan and Asher are likewise chastised for not participating more fully.   Verse 21 shares the connection with the sidra/parasha in Exodus.  Wadi Kishon swept them away.  The rainy season in Israel will have dry wadis (dry streambeds) often turn to raging torrents of flash flood waters that will drown the strongest swimmers. Back to the downpour of rain and the sweeping away of the army of Sisera.  This is so reminiscent of the drowning of Pharaoh’s army at the Sea of Reeds. I find this parallel fascinating.   Verse 24 blesses Yael for her work in the killing of Sisera herself. While Sisera’s mother waits for him to return with the spoils of war, he has been killed. The song implores G-d that all of the enemies of the L-rd suffer the same fate.   The battle was won, but it was done in such a fashion: through a prophetess of G-d, the sudden rains, and the king Sisera slain by a woman. This created such a fear in the enemies of Israel  that there was peace recorded for 40 years.   May we also see G-d intercede on Israel’s behalf today as well as with all who join her in fighting those who serve false G-ds and who seek to conquer the earth. May we be trusting enough to see G-d’s hand in the battle, and many we not find our names ever listed as those who did not enter the battle for Israel in a full manner, but rather be listed as Naphtali was.   Selah

This week’s Parasha and HafTorah

Standing Strong

A Messianic Jewish Congregation with an outreach to Believers in Israel

Jan 19, 2008 - When he let go

 Ex 13:17-17:16

Jud 4:4-5:31

Mark 4:35-5:20

I Cor 10:11-13
Text Box: In 2006-7 / 5767 I wrote on the Parashot, Torah portions, on the ponderings and things revealed to me through research and prayer.  To access those writings click here or click on the title of the Parasha above to go to this week's portion  To access all past teachings click here. For 2007-8 / 5768  I will be writing on the Haftorah portions that are read in conjunction with the Torah portion for that week.  If you have a question you wish to have addressed, please write to us at mail@standingstrong.org.