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Rabbi Dov Schochet: Welcome... What's on your mind today?
Yael: I'd like to know the significance of my name, Yael. A rabbi gave me this name not long ago; he said that it was similar to my secular name.
Rabbi Dov Schochet: I see... Good choice, it's a very nice name!
Rabbi Dov Schochet: The word “Yael” means a wild goat.
Rabbi Dov Schochet: Yael is also a quite famous Biblical personality. Were you aware of that? One of the great battles in Jewish history was won through the heroic act of a woman named Yael.
Yael: Can you tell me more? This is very interesting :)
Rabbi Dov Schochet: The entire story is recorded in the Book of Judges. Hold it one moment I'll find the exact chapter.
Yael: Sure. Take your time.
Rabbi Dov Schochet: Okay. It's chapter four. In short: there was a war between Sisera, general of the armies of Canaan and the Jews, who were lead by Deborah the Prophetess and Barak.
Rabbi Dov Schochet: As Sisera was fleeing the battlefield, closely chased by the victorious Jewish army, he entered Yael's tent. She gave the weary man food and drink and as soon as he fell asleep she killed him, ensuring the Jewish victory.
Yael: Thanks a lot.
Rabbi Dov Schochet: You are most welcome.
Yael: Bye. Thank you.
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Editor's Comment
Israelis tend to think that Yael is a beautiful animal. I am not a zoologist but I tend to think that deer and goats belong to the same family anyway and there's not much to argue about here. Nevertheless, I prefer that my name means a graceful deer than I wild goat...
History » Joshua, The JudgesLife Cycle » Circumcision » Jewish names