Devorah HaNeviah (the prophetess) is a prime example of a woman who performed great deeds but in order to remain safely out of the public eye directed all the credit to her husband. She is referred to in the verse as דבורה ×”× ×‘×™××” ×שת לפידות — “Devorah the prophetess, wife of Lapidos.” [1. Shoftim 4:4] Our Sages explain that her husband was unlearned and was not in a position to earn a prestigious place in the World to Come for himself, as the ohr haTorah, the light of Torah, was missing. To rectify this, Devorah undertook to make extra thick wicks for the menorah that would produce large, bright and beautiful lights. When they were ready, her husband transported them to the mishkan (tabernacle) in Shilo. Hence, he was called Lapidos — a fire torch (although his real name was Barak), because he brought torch-like wicks to the mishkan. Lapidos, who brought extra light to the world with these holy wicks, earned through them a rewarding place in Olam Habah (the World to Come). [2. Yalkut Shimoni, Shoftim 42]
Our Sages conclude with the following words, מי ×–×™×›×” לו ללפידות ×©×™×”× ×—×œ×§×• ×¢× ×”×›×©×¨×™× ×•×™×‘× ×œ×¢×•×œ× ×”×‘× ×”×•×™ ×ומר דבורה ×שתו, עליה × ×מר חכמת × ×©×™× ×‘× ×ª×” ביתה – “Who enabled Lapidos to become worthy and earn Olam Habah (the World to Come)? It was his wife Devorah. About Devorah it says, ‘The wisdom of a woman built her home.'” [3. Mishlei 14:1] In return for doing everything herself – and then giving the credit away to her husband so as to remain totally inconspicuous – Hashem chose her for the exalted office of Neviah (prophetess). Such a prestigious office would have made any average woman haughty. Not so Devorah, who had already proven her sterling middos (character traits) and true humility.
Modesty-An Adornment for Life: Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk, © Feldheim Publishers.
Take advantage of “Print this Post” or “Email this Post.”