Rebuilding and Scars

Judges Chapter 4, the Strange and the Spectacular

Verses: 24

Is It Read At Synagogue?: Yes — this chapter is the first part of the Haftarah for the Torah portion of Beshallach. More on that next week.

Famous Quotes/Phrases: Barak’s statement of “If you will go with me, I will go” sounds awfully similar to the famous quote from Chapter 1 of the Book of Ruth, “wherever you go, I will go.” Both examples are signs of loyalty and confidence during perilous times.

Basic Plot: Ehud has died and, wouldn’t you know it, the Israelites resort to sin again. This time, the Canaanite king, Yavin, conquers the Israelites with the aid of his general, Sisera, and oppresses them for 20 years. But now, the Israelites, for the first time in recorded history, are led by a woman, the prophetess Deborah. Knowing that it is time to defeat Yavin, Deborah summons a man named Barak to lead the Israelite army. Barak implores Deborah to accompany him, and the two lead the people to a resounding victory. Sisera, meanwhile, flees to the tent of Yael, who kills Sisera with a tent peg (more on that in a second) while he is sleeping.

What’s Strange: The last two chapters have described Israelite military victories with the use of somewhat underwhelming weaponry — Yael’s tent peg is but one example. In his book The Military History of Ancient Israel, Richard A. Gabriel argues that this is a sign that the nation is a fair bit weaker than it is during the time of Joshua. In other words, every time the Israelites are conquered by a different king, they emerge from this moment a little diminished.

What’s Spectacular: This chapter’s lesson of diminishment is a helpful reminder this week as we have seen the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks come and go. No matter how many strides Israel makes in defending itself, there are still scars that come from the toll of war — scars carried by those taken hostage, and by innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza caught in the fire of war. Just as we spill a bit of wine from our Kiddush cups during the Passover seder when remembering the suffering of the innocents, our cups will always be a little less full due to the events of the past year.

This chapter is also a reminder that there are consequences when we make mis-steps, even when we recover from them. As we are only hours from Yom Kippur, it may be all too easy to say that, when we don’t live up to our best selves, we can simply repent next year and all will be well. Undoubtedly, rebirth and renewal are always possible, but it doesn’t mean that our mistakes are always completely erased. May that idea help us to dedicate ourselves to reach our goals of living up to our ideals in the new year.

Shabbat Shalom, and wishing you an easy fast and a G’mar Hatimah Tovah!