By learning Eishes Chayil together, we can become that good woman that Chazal praise
IN many homes, Eishes Chayil is said on Friday night. Why do we take the time, as the malachim are there, before we acknowledge the holiness of the day with Kiddush, to say this poem about a woman?
There are a few explanations — some mefarshim say that Shabbos is the partner of the Jewish people and so we are praising it. Others say that we are describing the Shechinah, which is present on Shabbos. Still others say that Eishes Chayil is an allegory for the Torah. We remember the giving of the Torah on Shabbos by singing Eishes Chayil.
The Torah, the Shechinah, Shabbos are the most elevated, spiritual realities in our world. And yet there is a very practical message for us in the choice to say Eishes Chayil on Friday night. Says Rav Schwab (paraphrasing Yevamos 63b), “How good must a good woman be that Shlomo Hamelech can find no better analogy for the virtues of the Torah than a good woman.”
The Jewish woman is held as the example of goodness. This shows us the greatness of our potential. By learning Eishes Chayil together, we can become that good woman that Chazal praise.
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