The Wisdom of Women That Saves Lives
Through the story of On ben Pelet’s wife in Parashat Korach, this article explores the power of women’s gut feelings and the ability to see dangers and processes that others miss in moments of turmoil and sweep. In Parashat Korach appears one of the most remarkable women in the Bible, even though her name is not mentioned. The wife of On ben Pelet is mentioned in only a few lines in the words of the Sages, yet her influence was dramatic. When hundreds of men are swept up in power struggles, she manages to save her husband from one of the greatest mistakes of his life. The Sages summed it up in a brief phrase, “The wisdom of women built her house.”
This story is about an ancient and familiar feminine trait, the ability to see the bigger picture when others focus on the immediate moment. On’s wife realizes that her husband is not acting from calm judgment but from emotional sweep. As a gynecologist for decades, I have met countless women who displayed a similar ability. More than once, a couple sat before me facing a complex medical decision. The husband dealt in numbers, data, and statistical risks. The woman felt that something was not right. Often, it later turned out that this feeling was based on a precise perception of small details that no one had paid attention to.
Modern science has in recent years begun to take much more seriously what was once dismissively called female intuition. Studies in cognitive psychology show that this is actually rapid processing of vast amounts of information received unconsciously. The brain identifies patterns, tiny changes in behavior, tone of voice, facial expressions, and environmental details, and translates them into a gut feeling.
In maternity wards around the world, an interesting phenomenon is often described. Sometimes a pregnant woman arrives and says, “Something is wrong.” The initial tests appear normal, the readings are reasonable, and yet the staff continues to investigate. Then, later on, a significant medical complication is discovered. Not every gut feeling is right, but a woman is close to herself, and as an experienced doctor I learned not to ignore women’s gut feelings, literally and figuratively. Perhaps this is why the Sages attributed greater understanding to women. Understanding is wisdom that relies not only on dry data but also on an understanding of people, relationships, and long-term meaning.
In On ben Pelet’s wife, loyalty and responsibility are also striking. It would have been easier to stand aside and say, “This is his decision.” But true loyalty is the ability to tell the person closest to you what he needs to hear, even when he does not want to hear it. This is also a well-known phenomenon in medicine. Studies show that spouses are responsible for a significant share of the early diagnoses of chronic illnesses and malignancies. They are the first to notice weight loss, unusual fatigue, or a change in behavior.
At first glance, Parashat Korach seems to be a story of a struggle over honor and status. But behind the scenes stands one woman who understands that the greatest victory is saving the home. When they fight over leadership, she fights for the family. While they think about honor, she thinks about the future. Perhaps that is why the Sages chose On ben Pelet’s wife as the timeless example of the saying, “The wisdom of women built her house,” because on that fateful day she managed to do the hardest thing of all, remain clear-headed while everyone around her lost their judgment. Sometimes this is the greatest power of women, to prevent disaster, to keep someone from falling into the abyss. And in many cases, as the parashah teaches, it is wisdom that can truly save lives.
