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During the period following Joshua's conquest over the Land of Israel and his ultimate passing, The Jewish nation was ruled by judges who guided the people and helped them focus on what God required from them. One such judge was Deborah, or Devorah in Hebrew. Unlike many of her predecessors, Devorah chose to settle herself at the base of a palm tree. It was here that the Jews would approach the prophetess, asking her to help settle disputes, clarify decisions, or even to pass judgment. According to one interpretation in the Talmud, Devorah's choice to sit beneath the palm tree had significant symbolism. Just as the palm tree's branches issue forth from one source i.e. the heart of the tree, so too the generation living in Devorah's time were wholly united, beating as one heart, for their Father in Heaven.
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