Kabbalah Library

325) On the day when Adam was born, they were commanded in regards to the tree of knowledge and broke their Master’s commandment. And since the woman sinned first and the serpent came upon her, as it is written, “And he shall rule over you,” henceforth, whenever men are guilty before the Creator, the women from the side of harsh Din will rule over them, as it is written, “As for My people, a babe is their master, and women rule over them.”

326) And those women are called, “The flaming sword that turns every way.” Yet, it is not that they are the turning sword. Rather, they are a flame from that sword, which is called, “A sword … that shall execute the vengeance of the covenant,” “The sword of the Lord is filled with blood.” And that flaming sword that turns every way is sometimes men and sometimes females.

327) Woe unto the world when women rule the world. When the prophet of Israel saw that Israel were twisting their ways, and perform iniquities before their Master, he said, “Women that are at ease, why do you keep quiet? Why do you sit and not awaken in the world? Rise up and take governance over the men.”

328) But they did not say. Rather, it is as we find with Deborah, where it is written, “She judged Israel at that time.” Hence, woe unto a man whose wife blesses for him at his table, who exempts her husband in the blessing for the food because he does not know how to bless. So was Deborah, judging Israel. Woe unto a generation in which there was no one to judge the people but one female.