Shabbat Shalom!

Let us stop for a moment from what we are doing, and welcome the Sabbath.

In the Jewish home, it is customary to begin the Sabbath meal by singing to the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. This hymn is written so that every line begins with the next letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, starting from Aleph. According to the legend, it was originally composed by Abraham as a eulogy for his wife Sarah.

So, to all virtuous women out there: You should know that you are highly valued in the Jewish tradition, and the Sabbath meal never starts without singing your praise, and thanking you for all that you have done in the week that ended…

I want to do the same today, and sing to you:

Eshet  Hayil

Eshet hayil mi yimtza v'rahok mip'ninim mih’ra

Batah ba lev ba'la v'shalal lo yehsar

G'malathu tov v'lo ra kol y'mei hayeiha

Darshah tzemer ufishtim vata'as b'hefetz kapeiha

Haitah k'oniyot soher mimerhak tavi lahmah

Vatakom b'od lailah vatiten teref l'vetah v'hok l'na'aroteiha

Zam'ma sade vatikahehu mip'ri hapeiha nat'a karem

Hagrah v'oz motneiha vat'ametz zro'oteiha

Ta'ama ki tov sahrah lo yihbeh balailah nera

Yadeha shilhah vakishor v'hapeiha tamhu feleh

Kapa parsa le'ani v'yadeiha shil'hah la'evyon

Lo tira l'veta mishaleg ki hol beta lavush shanim

Marvadim asta la shesh v'argaman l'vushah

Noda bash'arim ba'la b'shivto im ziknei aretz

Sadin asta vatimkor vahagor natna lacna'ani

Oz v'hadar l'vusha vatis’hak l'yom aharon

Piha patha v'hohma v'torat hesed al l'shona

Tzofi'a halihot beta v'lehem atzlut lo tohel

Kamu vaneha vay'ash'ruha ba'lah vay'hal'la

Rabot banot asu hayil v'at alit al kulana

Sheker hahen v'hevel hayofi isha yir'at Adonai hi tit'halal

T'nu la mip'ri yadeiha vihal'luha vash'arim ma'aseha

Virtuous woman

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also,
and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Enjoy your Sabbath!

With love,

Alpha Omega