friday night
More Precious Than Pearls: A Digital Book of Essays on Eishet Chayil
This 94 page book, “More Precious Than Pearls: A Prayer for the Women of Valor in Our Lives,” is a collection of ten essays discussing Eishet Chayil from a wide variety of
Origins and Interpretations of Proverbs 31
This brief article from Wikipedia offers an introduction to Proverbs 31, the Biblical source for Eishet Chayil. It provides both literal and classic interpretations of the text, and gives different theories as
Idan Yaniv & Kinderlach: Upbeat Shalom Aleichem for Unity in Israeli Society
This music video presents a joyous, upbeat version of Shalom Aleichem, performed by Idan Yaniv, a popular Israeli, Bukharian singer, and Kinderlach, an Israeli children’s singing troupe. Although this modernization of the popular
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Shalom Aleichem
This recording of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach‘s melody for Shalom Aleichem repeats each of the four stanza’s three times, a common custom in many Jewish traditions. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (1925-1994), also known
Sephardic/Mizrahi Custom: Shalom Aleichem
This video demonstrates the Sephardic/Mizrahi tradition for Shalom Aleichem, which has five stanzas, instead of four, as is the common Ashkenazi custom. The additional verse, “B’shiv-t’chem L’shalom,” translated as “May your rest
Introduction to Eishet Chayil: Video & Text (Hebrew, English, Transliteration)
This video presents a simple, clear version of the most popular melody for Eishet Chayil, composed by Ben Zion Shenker in 1953. With on screen Hebrew, English and transliterated lyrics of the text
Nusach Sefard: Shalom Aleichem
This post includes the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts for Shalom Aleichem according to Nusach Sefard. Nusaf Sefard refers to the various forms of the Jewish prayers designed to reconcile Ashkenazi
How To Read Eshet Chayil: Reflections from a Feminist Scholar
This reflection by feminist scholar, Dr. Wendy Zierler, traces her evolving relationship with the words of Eshet Chayil over the course of her life. She suggests several ways of reading the text,
Debbie Friedman’s Shalom Aleichem with Onscreen Transliteration
This video presents the operatic soprano, Rowna Sutin, performing Debbie Friedman’s original tune for Shalom Aleichem. Complete with onscreen transliterated text, this video is helpful for those who would like to
Alternative Blessing for Children with Masculine and Feminine God Language
This post presents the blessing for the children using both traditional male God-language as well as feminine God-language, reflecting a blend of Jewish tradition with modern feminist approaches. The two versions of the traditional