It Should Be Required Viewing!

Last night, I had a totally unforgettable time in Gush Etzion.  I saw the latest play by Raise Your Spirits Theatre, Judge! Song of Devora! 

It's probably not fair that I'm saying that it's "required viewing" since it's a women only production, by and for women only.  But then again, men may find the message rather disturbing or even emasculating.  The musical is strongly based on the Biblical story of Devora, who was a judge and leader of the Jewish People during the time between Joshua and Samuel.  It was some time during the 369 years that the Mishkan, Tabernacle was in Shiloh.  Devora wasn't based in Shiloh, but near what is today Ateret, southwest of Shiloh, about half-way to today's Ben Gurion International Airport.

Like today, there was a crisis vacuum in leadership, so a woman, Devora, had to step in.  She was also the one who pushed/encouraged Barak to fight our enemies.  And again when Barak and his soldiers didn't execute the archenemy, Sisera, it was another woman, Yael who had to step in a do it.  As I wrote a few lines earlier, men may not like this story too much.  But I consider it crucially important to learn and internalize it.

Women who take over must do it as women and not faux men.  Once a woman puts on a masculine "power suit" she is no better than a man.  That was the interesting little thing in the play about Biblical Yael.  She was a "good girl," feminine, who just tried to do the right thing.  And when the right thing was to kill the enemy, she did it.

Here are a few photos I took during the play.