As the sun sets on Friday evenings, many households usher in Shabbat with the soul-stirring melody of Eishet Chayil, the ode to the virtuous woman from Mishlei (Proverbs) – Chapter 31. Like a timeless echo resonating through generations, this enigmatic passage paints a portrait of a woman of valor, leaving us to ponder the layers of wisdom it holds. In the first article of a series, we will delve into the first five verses of Eishet Chayil – Mishlei 31:10-15, elucidated by the commentaries from the Malbim and Metzudat David, to uncover its profound meaning and timeless relevance for us as women.
ืึตึฝืฉึถืืชึพืึทึญืึดื ืึดึฃื ืึดืึฐืฆึธึื ืึฐืจึธืึนึืง ืึดืคึฐึผื ึดืื ึดึฃืื ืึดืึฐืจึธึฝืึผื
What a rare find is a capable wife!
Her worth is far beyond that of pearls.
Metzudat David explains, โWho can find a woman of valor? She is a precious thing and a rare findโ. This emphasizes that the virtues associated with an Eishet Chayil are extraordinary and not commonly found – her qualities are considered precious and not easily encountered. The implication is that not every woman naturally possesses such remarkable qualities; instead, a woman must actively work towards attaining the title of Eishet Chayil through conscious effort and cultivation of these virtuous traits.
ืึธึผึฃืึทื ืึธึผึญืึผ ืึตึฃื ืึทึผืขึฐืึธึืึผ ืึฐึืฉึธืืึธึื ืึนึฃื ืึถืึฐืกึธึฝืจื
Her husband puts his confidence in her,
And lacks no good thing.
The Malbim explains, โFor many women squander wealth, and their husbands are not confident that they will preserve what they have gained. But in her, his heart trusts that nothing will be lacking from all the spoils he has acquired.โ
Wise management of money and the preservation of wealth are virtuous behaviors embodying a sense of financial responsibility essential for family well-being. In addition, the husband’s trust in his wife underscores her high level of trustworthiness, a cornerstone in healthy relationships.
ืึฐึผืึธืึทึฃืชึฐืืึผ ืึฃืึนื ืึฐืึนืึพืจึธึืข ืึนึผึึื ืึฐืึตึฃื ืึทืึถึผึฝืืึธื
She is good to him, never bad,
All the days of her life.
Metzudat David explains, โThroughout her life, when her husband treated her well, she rewarded him with good in return. However, the bad she did not repay him in kind.โ
By not responding negatively to her husband’s perceived negative actions, the Eishet Chayil demonstrates resilience. She is not easily swayed or provoked by negative behavior, showcasing inner strength. Rather than reacting impulsively to negative actions, the woman understands the emotional consequences of her responses and chooses a more constructive path. Responding with grace and refraining from harmful actions allows the Eishet Chayil to maintain respect within the relationship. The woman sets an example of virtuous behavior by not stooping to a lower level and retaliating in kind in response to negativity.
ืึธึผึญืจึฐืฉึธืื ืฆึถึฃืึถืจ ืึผืคึดืฉึฐืืชึดึผึืื ืึทึืชึทึผึืขึทืฉื ืึฐึผืึตึฃืคึถืฅ ืึทึผืคึถึผึฝืืึธื
She looks for wool and flax,
And sets her hand to them with a will.
The Malbim comments, โIn all her endeavors, she engages with diligence and swiftness, striving for excellenceโฆ She will not do it lazily or reluctantly but will engage in it willingly and diligently, the opposite of what is said in disdain for laziness, โfor the hands of the lazy refuse to work.โ (Mishlei 21:25)
A diligent and efficient approach to tasks often leads to increased productivity, taking tasks seriously and completing them willingly reflects a sense of responsibility, and striving for excellence demonstrates a commitment to high standards.
ืึธึญืึฐืชึธื ืืึผืึณื ึดืึผึฃืึนืช ืกืึนืึตึืจ ืึดึืึถึผืจึฐืึธึืง ืชึธึผืึดึฅืื ืึทืึฐืึธึฝืึผื
She is like a merchant fleet,
Bringing her food from afar.
The Malbim explains this verse to mean, โIf she engages in trade outside her home, she will not trade in small quantities as the profit is not substantial enough. Instead, she will be like a merchant ship crossing distant seas, bringing her bread from afar.โ
The Eishet Chayil is thus portrayed as resourceful and capable of contributing to the well-being of her household – she has a proactive and industrious attitude. The woman is also depicted as having a level of self-sufficiency and financial independence, not solely dependent on her husband for sustenance. By actively participating in trade to bring sustenance, she is contributing to the family’s welfare and also has a level of financial acumen and prudence. The phrase ‘bringing her food from afar’ suggests that she is willing to go to great lengths, both literally and figuratively, to attain the needs of her family.
ืึทืชึธึผึคืงืืโื ืึฐึผืขึฌืึนื ืึทึืึฐืึธื ืึทืชึดึผืชึตึผึฃื ืึถึฃืจึถืฃ ืึฐืึตืืชึธึืึผ ืึฐึืึนึืง ืึฐื ึทืขึฒืจึนืชึถึฝืืึธื
She rises while it is still night,
And supplies provisions for her household, The daily fare of her maids.
The Malbim explains, โIf she engages in household affairs, she rises even before dawn to prepare food for her household and establish a set task for her maidservants.โ
Rising even before dawn to prepare food for the household reflects a strong sense of selflessness and responsibility. The Eishet Chayil takes a proactive and attentive approach to meeting the needs of the family. The mention of establishing a set task for maidservants underscores a systematic and organized work ethic. This indicates that she not only takes care of immediate tasks but also plans and delegates responsibilities efficiently, overseeing and coordinating the responsibilities within the home.In future articles, we will unravel the remaining verses, uncovering the profound layers of wisdom that inspire us every Friday night. As we sing the verses of Eishet Chayil, or have our husbands sing them to us, let us be inspired by the qualities that the Eishet Chayil is praised for having and try to inculcate those same traits within ourselves, our marriages, and our families.
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