Guiding Questions: Judges 4

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. The verse, Judges 4:1 would seem to be unaware of the 31st verse which appears immediately prior to it at the end of chapter 3 (Judges 3:31). How might this be explained?
  2. What type of equipment appears to have been available to Yavin and his “commander in chief” Sisra which would have been most frightening to those not having same?
  3. Lapidot the name of a location, the name of a husband, or the name of a “fiery personality”?
  4. What does this tell us about the role of women in terms of leadership in those days?
  5. What is meant by the phrase that the “Israelites would come up to her for judgment”?
  6. From whence did the instruction derive of Divinity that Barak was to lead an attack against the “oppressor”?
  7. What was Barak”s initial response?
  8. How does Devorah respond to his request of her?
  9. Why would it appear to be “not entirely as it should be” if a woman were to be the mechanism through which the defeat of the oppressor would take place (Judges 4:9)?
  10. Judges 4:14-15 indicate the “strategic aspects” of the military encounter. In what respect, in spite of the “chariots” did the Israelites have a decided advantage?
  11. However, according to Judges 4:15, what was the “real advantage” which enabled the Israelites to be victorious?
  12. In Judges 4:17 et. seq. do the Kenites appear in a positive light?
  13. How is the action of Yael described by the author?
  14. In Judges 4:21, the concept of “sanctuary” would seem to be addressed in a fashion that is “unusual.” In terms of the standards of those days is it “unusual”?
  15. Returning to Judges 4:17, what was the essential relationship between the Kenites and Sisra?
  16. How does the death of Sisra validate the prediction of Devorah?

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    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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