The Yalkut Shimoni, a vast collection of rabbinic commentary and interpretations, grapples with this very question as it explores the story of Devorah, the prophetess and judge.

The text asks a pretty direct question: What was so special about Devorah that she prophesied over Israel and judged them? After all, Pinchas ben Eleazar, a significant figure in his own right, was alive at the time! The answer, according to the Yalkut Shimoni, is beautifully egalitarian: "I bring Heaven and Earth to bear witness that the Divine Spirit may rest upon a gentile and a Jew, a man and a woman, a slave and a maid—all depends on the deeds of that particular person." It's not about lineage or status, but about one's actions and character.

But the story doesn’t stop there. The House of Eliyahu taught something fascinating about Devorah’s husband. They said he wasn’t a scholar. So, Devorah, in her wisdom, suggested they make wicks for the Mikdash, the Temple, in Shilo. "Let's make wicks and go to the Mikdash in Shilo," she said, "and so you will have a place among the greats and you will have a place in the world to come." Think about that for a moment. She saw a way to elevate her husband, to give him a share in the sacred, not through intellectual prowess, but through humble service.

And here’s where it gets even more intriguing. Devorah’s husband actually had three names: Barak, Michael, and Lapidot. Barak, because his face looked like lightning. Michael, because he diminished himself – or perhaps, another opinion suggests, he was named after the angel. And Lapidot… well, that's where the wicks come back in. Lapidot connects to the word "lapid," meaning "torch" or "flame." It's said that his wife, Devorah, would make wicks, and she decided to make them very thick, so their light would be plentiful.

God, seeing her intention, said, "Devorah, you intended to sustain My light, and so I will make your light great in Judah and Jerusalem in front of the 12 tribes." This is such a powerful image! Her dedication to a simple act of service was mirrored by God, amplifying her own light for all to see.

So, what about Lapidot himself? What merit did he have to reach the World to Come? The answer, according to the Yalkut Shimoni, is simple: because of his wife, Devorah. It references Proverbs 14:1, "The wisest of women builds her house." And then, in stark contrast, it mentions Jezebel bat Itba'al, saying, "and the fool one destroys it with her hands." It's a powerful reminder of the influence we have on those around us, for good or for ill.

What I find so compelling about this passage is the way it elevates the seemingly mundane. Making wicks for the Temple might seem like a small thing, but through Devorah’s intention and dedication, it became a pathway to greatness, both for herself and for her husband. It makes you wonder: What seemingly small acts of service can we embrace in our own lives that might, in turn, illuminate the world around us?