Yael was a figure in the book of Judges who lured Sisera, an enemy Canaanite general, into her tent. She put him to sleep by giving him warm milk and killed him by hammering a tent peg into his skull.
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The Bravery of YaelTANAKH
The Bravery of Yael
TANAKH
Yael's bravery and cunning in killing Sisera highlight her significant role in the deliverance of Israel. The Book of Judges recounts the period of Israelite history marked by cycles of sin, oppression, and redemption, featuring leaders like Yael who played pivotal roles.
Yael's StrategyTALMUD
Yael's Strategy
TALMUD
The rabbis offer a provocative interpretation of Yael’s actions with Sisera, suggesting she engaged in seven acts of intercourse to weaken him. In the Talmudic tractate Nazir, Rabbi Yoḥanan interprets the repetition of the phrase 'he sunk, he fell' in Judges 5:27 as referring to multiple acts of intercourse.
Yael's Righteous DeceptionCOMMENTARY
Yael's Righteous Deception
COMMENTARY
Yael's actions, which may include engaging in sexual intercourse with Sisera, were done with the intention of bringing redemption to Israel and were for the sake of Heaven, rather than being acts of adultery. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a 16th-century Yiddish commentary on the Torah and Haftarot, provides a unique perspective on the story of Yael and Sisera from the Book of Judges.
Yael's StrategyCOMMENTARY
Yael's Strategy
COMMENTARY
Yael's cunning use of curds and milk to confuse Sisera is a fascinating detail that highlights her strategic brilliance. Radak, a renowned 12th-century biblical commentator, provides linguistic and contextual insights into the Song of Deborah in the Book of Judges.
God's Unconventional DeliveranceCOMMENTARY
God's Unconventional Deliverance
COMMENTARY
Victory ultimately comes from God alone, as demonstrated by the unusual circumstances of the triumph in the story of Deborah and Barak. The Book of Judges, chapters 4-5, recounts how Deborah, a prophetess and judge, leads Israel to victory with Barak, and how Yael, a noncombatant woman, kills the enemy general Sisera.
Unmatched Heroism of YaelMIDRASH
Unmatched Heroism of Yael
MIDRASH
Yael's actions in saving Israel are considered even more significant than those of the revered matriarchs and women of the wilderness. The early medieval midrash Bereshit Rabbah offers a deep dive into the significance of Yael's heroism and its impact on the survival of Israel.