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Analyzing the Timeless Lessons of the Eishet Chayil
Verses 27-31

Riva Kent

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In the concluding installment of our series, we will further explore the verses of Eishet Chayil. This time, our focus turns to Mishlei 31:27-31, with insights drawn from the commentaries of the Malbim and Metzudat David. Together, we aim to unveil the deep significance and enduring relevance encapsulated in what is often hailed as “The Ode to the Jewish Woman.”

ืฆึญื•ึนืคึดื™ึธึผื” ื”ึฒืœึดื™ื›ึฃื•ึนืช ื‘ึตึผื™ืชึธึ‘ื”ึผ ื•ึฐืœึถึฅื—ึถื ืขึทึืฆึฐืœึ—ื•ึผืช ืœึนึฃื ืชึนืื›ึตึฝืœืƒ

She oversees the activities of her household

And never eats the bread of idleness.

Metzudat David explains that this means, โ€œShe watches over the ways of her household and directs their course with modesty and reverence for Hashem. She does not linger in her eating, not delaying for an extended period as a lazy person might. Instead, she eats promptly and quickly returns to her work.โ€

The contrast with a lazy person emphasizes the virtue of a strong work ethic. By not lingering in her eating and promptly returning to her work, the Eishet Chayil exemplifies diligence, efficiency, and a commitment to fulfilling her responsibilities. In essence, the Eishet Chayil is able to cultivate a positive and appreciative family dynamic, where her actions and character are not only noticed but also celebrated by those closest to her.

ืงึธึฃืžื•ึผ ื‘ึธึญื ึถื™ื”ึธ ื•ึทึฝื™ึฐืึทืฉึฐึผืืจึ‘ื•ึผื”ึธ ื‘ึทึผึืขึฐืœึธึ—ื”ึผ ื•ึทึฝื™ึฐื”ึทืœึฐืœึธึฝื”ึผืƒ

Her children declare her happy;

Her husband praises her,

Metzudat David writes here, โ€œHer sons and her husband rise and praise and commend her.โ€

The children and husband rising to praise her indicate a deep respect and admiration for their mother and wife. This suggests that her character, actions, and contributions are highly valued within the family.

ืจึทื‘ึผึฃื•ึนืช ื‘ึธึผึญื ื•ึนืช ืขึธึฃืฉื‚ื•ึผ ื—ึธึ‘ื™ึดืœ ื•ึฐึืึทึ—ืชึฐึผ ืขึธืœึดึฅื™ืช ืขึทืœึพื›ึปึผืœึธึผึฝื ึธื”ืƒ

โ€œMany women have done well,

But you surpass them all.โ€

The Malbim writes, โ€œMany daughters have worked diligently in this regard, accumulating wealth and strength for their households. However, in what you have achieved, you have surpassed them all.โ€

Many other women have excelled in acquiring wealth and contributing to their homes, but the praise for the Eishet Chayil in question goes further. It implies that her unique qualities, such as her fear of the Lord and her virtuous character, set her apart in a way that makes her particularly exceptional in her husband’s eyes.

ืฉึถืึฃืงึถืจ ื”ึทึญื—ึตืŸ ื•ึฐื”ึถึฃื‘ึถืœ ื”ึทื™ึนึผึ‘ืคึดื™ ืึดืฉึธึผืึฅื” ื™ึดืจึฐืึทืชึพื™ึฐึื”ึนื•ึธึ—ื” ื”ึดึฃื™ื ืชึดืชึฐื”ึทืœึธึผึฝืœืƒ

Grace is deceptive,

Beauty is illusory;

It is for her fear of the LORD

That a woman is to be praised.

The Malbim explains this to mean, โ€œYou possessed grace and beauty, yet you refrained from boasting about superficial charm and temporary attractiveness. Instead, you took pride in what truly defines you โ€“ being a woman who holds a deep reverence for the Lord.โ€ The virtue lies in emphasizing the value of inner qualities and virtues over superficial attributes. True grace and beauty are found in a woman’s character, particularly in her Yirat Shamayim, which is an enduring quality, as opposed to her physical attractiveness, which is fleeting since it will wane over time.

ืชึฐึผื ื•ึผึพืœึธึญื”ึผ ืžึดืคึฐึผืจึดึฃื™ ื™ึธื“ึถึ‘ื™ื”ึธ ื•ึดื™ื”ึทืœึฐืœึ–ื•ึผื”ึธ ื‘ึทืฉึฐึผืืขึธืจึดึฃื™ื ืžึทึฝืขึฒืฉึถึฝื‚ื™ื”ึธืƒ

Extol her for the fruit of her hand,

And let her works praise her in the gates. 

Metuzdat David explains that this means when her talents and deeds are praiseworthy, they will be acknowledged and celebrated in important places, symbolized by “the gates,” which represent significant gatherings. Therefore, there is no need to publicize her praise because her actions themselves serve as a testimony and commendation.โ€

We can learn from here that true recognition and praise come naturally when one’s talents and actions are commendable. One can rely on their good deeds speaking for themselves rather than needing to seek external validation through overt self-promotion. 
As we bring our exploration of the timeless wisdom within Eishet Chayil to a close, it becomes evident that these words can serve as more than mere verses that we sing every Friday night; they can be guidance and inspiration. In our quest for role models to look up to and emulate, the verses of Eishet Chayil stand as a timeless source of wisdom and virtue, offering a blueprint for women to navigate life’s complexities with grace, strength, and dignity. Let us allow the eloquent words of Eishet Chayil to resonate within us, shaping our aspirations and actions as we strive to embody the qualities celebrated in this profound song.

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