Eishet Chayil: A Woman of Valor
Informative Articles & Videos
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Eishet Chayil Q&A
This excerpt from an article by Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky presents and responds to both technical and philosophical questions about specific words and
A Love Letter to the Woman of Valor
In this scholarly article, Dr. Malka Simkovich describes her evolving relationship to the song Eishet Chayil. While she once disregarded
On Labor Day, Let’s Consider a New ‘Woman of Valor’
This article, posted on Labor Day by Lana Adler, criticizes Eishet Chayil for celebrating a woman who works only for
Women of Valor: An Evolving Role Model
In this article, Jordyn Rozensky explores the concept of valor from a modern, feminist perspective, challenging readers to think about what it means
Standing or Sitting for Shalom Aleichem and Eshet Chayil?
This short post states that there is no uniform custom for whether the songs “Shalom Aleichem” and “Eshet Chayil” should be sung
Happy to Skip Eishet Chayil: A Modern Feminist Critique
In this personal critique, Lauren Kramer challenges the traditional custom of singing Eishet Chayil to the woman of the house
A Valorous Woman: A Feminist Critique of Eishet Chayil
This blog post by Ellie Kahn challenges the impossible standards to which women have always been held, from Biblical times (as
Eishet Chayil: A Template for Modern Women
In this article, a modern woman who lives by Jewish tradition explains why she feels that Eishet Chayil is very
How Eishet Chayil Shaped One Woman’s Evolving Jewish Identity
In this personal article, Sarah Zell Young shares how her religious journey is reflected in her evolving relationship with the words
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
Which Biblical Woman Was the Original Eishet Chayil?
This essay discusses some theories as to which biblical woman the poem, Eishet Chayil, could be referring. The author, Asher Gabbay,
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
Introduction to Eishet Chayil: Meaning, Origins, How To, English Text
This detailed article by Chaviva Gordon-Bennett provides a thorough introduction to Eishet Chayil, including the meaning, origins, and practical how-to’s of singing this song
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
Why We Recite Eishet Chayil on Friday Night
In order to explain why Eishet Chayil is traditionally sung on Shabbat, this detailed article by Rabbi Yehuda Shuprin offers insight into
A Scholarly and Contextual Approach to the Identity of the Eshet Chayil
This scholarly article argues that there is no single answer to the question “Who is the Eishet Chayil?” because the interpretation
A Complete Guide to Eishet Chayil
This thorough article offers a complete introduction to the custom of singing Eishet Chayil on Friday night, including the reasons behind
One Jewish Woman’s Musings on Eishet Chayil
In this personal blog post, Amy Meltzer shares her desire, as a Jewish woman, to hear her praises sung at
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Customs
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Yemenite Custom for Eishet Chayil
This website presents an audio recording of the late Yemenite poet and singer Binyamin Nachum singing Eishet Chayil with the
Yosef Karduner: Breslov Melody for Eishet Chayil
This solemn melody for Eishet Chayil comes from Yosef Karduner‘s album, “Yearning for Shabbat: Traditional Breslov Songs for Shabbat Night.” An
Eishet Chayil with On Screen English, Hebrew, Transliterated Text
This video presents a slow but lively version of one of the most popular melodies for Eishet Chayil, composed by
Traditional Practices - Learn How
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Today’s Woman of Valor: An Empowering Adaptation of Eishet Chayil
This adaptation of Eishet Chayil by Ahava Lilith EverShine goes through each verse of the traditional text, providing a modern
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.
Guitar Chords for Ben Zion Shenker’s Popular Eishet Chayil Melody
This website offers the guitar chords for the most popular melody for Eishet Chayil, composed by Ben Zion Shenker in 1953.
Eishet Chayil with On Screen English, Hebrew, Transliterated Text
This video presents a slow but lively version of one of the most popular melodies for Eishet Chayil, composed by
Introduction to Eishet Chayil: Meaning, Origins, How To, English Text
This detailed article by Chaviva Gordon-Bennett provides a thorough introduction to Eishet Chayil, including the meaning, origins, and practical how-to’s of singing this song
A Complete Guide to Eishet Chayil
This thorough article offers a complete introduction to the custom of singing Eishet Chayil on Friday night, including the reasons behind
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Music
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Halfon Family: A Cappella Eishet Chayil
This impressive home video features the Halfon family singing a harmonic, a cappella rendition of Ben Zion Shekner’s famous melody for
Avrumy Holczler: Professional Hasidic Singer Performs Eishet Chayil at His Own Wedding
This video features Avrumy Holczler, an alto singer in the Zemiros Group, performing an original composition of the first and
Ofir Nagar: Mizrahi Influenced Eishet Chayil
This original version of Eishet Chayil was the first song that Israeli musician Ofir Nagar ever performed in front of
Shabbat Songs Project: Israeli Artists Perform Eishet Chayil
This video features a unique version of Ben Zion Shenker’s popular Eishet Chayil melody, performed by a collection of Israeli
AYEKA: “Eshes Chayil” – The Eternal Search for the Divine Presence
This deeply spiritual and poetic song by AYEKA (literally, “Where Are You”), entitled “Eshes Chayil,” is about the search for the
Adash: A Cappella Eishet Chayil by a Czech Vocal Ensemble
This video features an original a cappella performance of Eishet Chayil by Adash, a vocal ensemble from Ostrava University in
Blue Fringe: A Jewish Pop-Rock Song Inspired by Eishet Chayil
This pop-rock song by Blue Fringe, entitled “Eshet Chayil,” is about a couple who are predestined for one another and
Yosef Karduner: Original Melody for Eishet Chayil
This original melody for Eishet Chayil comes from Yosef Karduner‘s album, “Dibur Pashut” (“Simple Talk”). An Israeli Hasidic singer, songwriter, and composer,
Eishet Chayil as a Eulogy at a Funeral
In this moving video, David Mandler sings Eishet Chayil as an ode to his late grandmother, Chaya Hentche bas Chenoch, at her
Groom Serenades Bride with Eishet Chayil at Wedding
In this romantic video a groom serenades his new bride at their wedding using the popular melody composed by Ben Zion Shenker.
The Maccabeats: A Cappella Eishet Chayil
This audio recording presents an original melody for the first three verses of Eishet Chayil performed by the Maccabeats, an
Sensation Band: A Billy Joel Eishet Chayil
This video features Sensation Band performing the first four and last two verses of Eishet Chayil to the tune of
Rav Shmuel Brazil: Original Eishet Chayil Melody
This is a recording of Rabbi Shmuel Brazil’s original rendition of Eishet Chayil, from the “Regesh Volume 7 – Shabbos” album. Rav
Yosef Karduner: Breslov Melody for Eishet Chayil
This solemn melody for Eishet Chayil comes from Yosef Karduner‘s album, “Yearning for Shabbat: Traditional Breslov Songs for Shabbat Night.” An
The Barry Sisters: A Yiddish Swing Eishet Chayil
This video presents an upbeat, jazzy Yiddish version of Eishet Chayil performed by the Barry Sisters, popular American Klezmer and
William Goldstein: An Emotional Eishet Chayil Tribute to his Mother
This emotional video is William Goldstein’s tribute to his beloved mother Sylvia, complete with a backdrop of pictures and videos. Goldstein
New York School of Jewish Song: Boys Choir Sing Eishet Chayil
This audio recording features an American young boys’ choir singing a lovely melody for Eishet Chayil with Orthodox Asheknazi pronunciation
Dudi Kalish: A Hebrew and Yiddish Song Inspired by Eishet Chayil
This video features Jewish singers Dudi Kalish and Ari Hill performing an original song by Kalish, inspired by Eishet Chayil.
Eitan Katz: Emotive Eishet Chayil
This audio recording features popular Jewish musician Eitan Katz performing his slow melody for Eishet Chayil. A member of an extremely musical family who was
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Eishet Chayil
This audio recording features Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach singing his original melody for Eishet Chayil. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (1925-1994), also known as the “Singing
Qiyan Krets: Sephardic Influenced Eishet Chayil by a Nordic Musical Ensemble
This audio recording presents an ethnically inspired version of the first eight verses of Eishet Chayil by Qiyan Krets, a female musical
A Eulogy for Ben Zion Shenker, Composer of the Most Famous Eishet Chayil Melody
This post includes an article from The New York Times about the Jewish composer, Ben Zion Shenker, who composed the most
Festive Melody for Eishet Chayil
This audio clip presents an upbeat version of the first two verses of Eishet Chayil from the YouTube album “Shabbat Songs,”
Elli Kranzler: Upbeat Version of Eishet Chayil
This audio clip presents an upbeat version of Eishet Chayil sung by Dr. Elli Kranzler, a psychiatrist, musical performer, and
Micha’el Eliyahu BenDavid: Eishet Chayil
This music video presents an ethnically inspired version of Eishet Chayil by Micha’el Eliyahu BenDavid, a Christian-born musician who aims to
Eliezer Diamond: Upbeat Version of Eishet Chayil
This audio clip presents an upbeat version of the first eight verses of Eishet Chayil sung by Dr. Eliezer Diamond, an author,
Alicia Jo Rabins: An Indie-Folk Retranslation of Eishet Chayil
In this video, Alicia Jo Rabins performs “Rubies,” a modern adaptation of Eishet Chayil, which she describes as a love song
The IDF Rabbinical Choir Sings Eishet Chayil at Dinner
In this home video, the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) Rabbinical Choir, led by Chief Cantor Shai Abramson, sings a harmonic accapella arrangement
Yaakov Shwekey: An Original Song Inspired by Eishet Chayil
This video presents an emotive rendition of the first two and last two verses of Eishet Chayil performed by the
Ehud Banai: Mizrahi Influenced Eshet Chayil
This simple, repetitive tune for Eshet Chayil is performed by Ehud Banai, one of the most influential artists in Israel. This song is from his
Juliet Spitzer: A Woman of Valor for Today
The music and lyrics for this modern version of Eishet Chayil were composed by singer/songwriter Juliet Spitzer, who describes herself
Guitar Chords for Ben Zion Shenker’s Popular Eishet Chayil Melody
This website offers the guitar chords for the most popular melody for Eishet Chayil, composed by Ben Zion Shenker in 1953.
What else?
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English Translation of Eishet Chayil with Animated Graphic Representations
This well-produced video presents an artistic graphic representation of each verse of Eishet Chayil, including a translation of the words
A Groom’s Eishet Chayil Inspired Poem to his Bride
In this lighthearted, low quality video, Josh Lannik recites an original rhyming poem to his new wife, Liz Shayne, at their
Blessing the Beloved: An Alternative to Eishet Chayil for Opposite & Same Sex Couples
This excerpt from Marcia Falk‘s “The Book of Blessings” offers an alternative ceremony to Eishet Chayil, based on verses in
A Pictorial View of the Woman of Valor
This creative post by Karen Wolfers-Rapaport includes a photographic representation of each verse of Eishet Chayil, along with background information and deeper
An Artist’s Interpretation of Eishet Chayil
This artistic interpretation of Eishet Chayil by Roni Pinto features the image of a woman lighting Shabbat candles, made up
In Search of Eishet Chayil: An Empowering Lesson Plan for Adolescent Girls
This thorough lesson plan by Aya Baron is designed to help adolescent girls feel empowered, valorous, and aware of the
People of Valor: Changing Traditions at an Egalitarian Summer Camp
In this blog post, Hani Fish-Bieler recalls how the staff and campers at Camp Ramah, a Conservative egalitarian sleepover camp, decided
A Poem Inspired by Eishet Chayil
In this poem, Eric S. Kingston explores the concept of a Woman of Valor, focusing on both a woman’s ability to
A Response to Eishet Chayil: An Egalitarian Poem from Wife to Husband
This poem, meant to be recited by a wife to her husband, was written by Ruth F. Brin as a
An Empowering Eishet Chayil Poem from a Healing Ritual for Abused Women
The following poem is a short excerpt from a healing ceremony designed to assure an abused Jewish woman that she
Juliet Spitzer: A Woman of Valor for Today
The music and lyrics for this modern version of Eishet Chayil were composed by singer/songwriter Juliet Spitzer, who describes herself
A Ceremony to Honor Women & A Modern Version of Eishet Chayil
This ceremony was designed to honor the women in our lives and learn from their character traits and contributions. Based
A Contemporary “Women of Valor” Ceremony for the Passover Seder
This ceremony, meant to be performed before drinking the third cup of wine at the Passover seder, encourages people to
Gender Bias in Translation: Why is “Chayil” Often Translated as “Virtuous”?
This thorough article examines the different ways that the word “chayil” is used throughout the Bible, suggesting that gender bias has influenced
A Feminist Eishet Chayil Poem
In this post, Tamara Cohen, a Jewish feminist writer, activist and educator, shares personal memories of how her mother, a hard-working professional