I have 
decided to learn a little bit regarding the song "Eishes Chayil" that 
was written by Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon.)  Many families 
sing this song on Friday night in honour of Shabbos, and the great 
part the woman has preparing for it.  The song has 22 lines - 
written alphabetically, one line for each letter of the hebrew 
alphabet.

This song describes the qualities of the 'ideal' wife.  Obviously, we 
are all different, and are not perfect, but this is something we can
strive for!  We can all be an Eishes Chayil even if we cannot be the 
'ideal' wife - and that is by doing the best we can do.  We can use 
this song as a guideline to help us along the right path.

What I will do is this month I'll write the english translation for each
line, and in the following months I'll choose one or more lines to 
expand upon.

Hope you enjoy!

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                         Eishes Chayil - by Shlomo HaMelech
1 - Who can find an ideal woman?  She is worth more than pearls!
2 - Her husband's heart trusts her, and he won't be missing any 
wealth.
3 - She does him good and not bad, all the days of her life.
4 - She looks for wool and linen, and works with willing hands.
5 - She is like a merchant's ships, bringing her food from far away.
6 - She gets up while it is still night, and gives food to her family 
and work to her maids.
7 - She chooses a field and buys it; from the work of her hands she 
plants a vineyard.
8 - She prepares herelf ("her hips") to be strong, and she makes 
her arms full of energy.
9 - She notices that her business is good, so her light does not go 
out at night.
10 - She puts her hands to the spinning wheel, and her palms hold 
up the rod with thread.
11 - She opens her palm to the poor man, and stretches out her 
hands to the man who is needy.
12 - She is not afraid of snow for her family, because all of her 
family is dressed in red wool.
13 - She makes bedspreads for herself, her clothing is linen and 
puple wool.
14 - Her husband is well-known in the gates, when he sits with the 
wise men of the land.
15 - She makes sheets and sells it, and gives a belt to the peddler.
16 - Her clothing is strength and beauty, and she faces the last 
day happily.
17 - She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the lesson of kindness 
is on her tongue.
18 - She watches over the ways of her family, and never eats the 
bread of laziness.
19 - Her children stand up and praise her, her husband also praises 
her.
20 - many daughters have done well, but you have outdone them.
21 - Charm is false and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears 
Hashem whould be praised.
22 - Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her actions praise her in 
the gates.

Rivkah Harper

rivkah@rainmall.com
http://www.rainmall.com/tcws
http://www.rainmall.com/shiduch
http://www.singlejew.net