Deborah the Maker of Wicks and Two Arrogant Prophetesses

"The wife of Lappidoth" (Judges 4:4). Rabbi Yitzchak of the school of Rabbi Ami said: she used to make wicks [lappidim, torches] for the Sanctuary. "And she sat under the palm tree" (Judges 4:5). Rabbi Shimon ben Avshalom said: this was for the sake of avoiding seclusion with a man. Another interpretation: just as this palm tree gives little shade, so too the scholars of that generation were few. Another interpretation: just as this palm tree has only one heart [a single growing point], so too Israel has only one heart, directed toward their Father in heaven. Rav Nachman said: arrogance does not befit women. Two women were prophetesses, and they were arrogant, and their names were unpleasant: one was named Hornet [Deborah, whose name means bee], and one was named Weasel [Huldah, whose name means weasel]. Of the Hornet it is written, "She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam" (Judges 4:6), yet she herself did not go to him. Of the Weasel it is written, "Say to the man who sent you" (2 Kings 22:15), and she did not say "to the king who sent you."