Shalom Bayis (Peaceful Marriage)
For The Jewish Wife

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CONTENTS AT A GLANCE

DOES THE TORAH DISPARAGE OR REVERE THE JEWISH WOMAN?

HOW TRUE BEAUTY ISN'T ONLY SKIN-DEEP

A WIFE OF VALOR (Running Commentary Of "Aishes Chayil," based primarily on Gemora, Midrash and Rishonim)

WIFE OF VALOR/AISHESS CHAYIL CONCLUSION

THE TALMUDIC SAGES ON JUDAISM'S HIGH REGARD FOR JEWISH WOMEN

KAVOD AND SHALOM ARE ESSENTIAL TO MARRIAGE

KAVOD DUE FROM A WIFE

MARRIAGE WISDOM FROM CHAZAL AND GEDOLAY TORAH

PRACTICAL "EVERY-DAY ADVICE"

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DOES THE TORAH DISPARAGE OR REVERE THE JEWISH WOMAN?

Every morning the Jewish man makes a blessing that G-d did not make him a woman. Women (in the corresponding spot in morning prayers) have a substitute blessing that G-d made her according to His will. I have been asked many times by traditional Jewish women something to the effect of, "Isn't this a 'put down' or disparagement of women by Judaism?" Some simply ask how to understand the blessing, not seeming too sure how to feel about it.

It is clear and repeated throughout Torah sources that, in spite of modern conception of traditional man-woman roles in Judaism, that the Torah's "party line" on its women is utmost reverence. For example, King Solomon writes [Proverbs 1:8], "Never abandon the Torah of your mother." We know that the mitzva of teaching Torah to a child is on the father [Deuteronomy 6:7], so "Torah of your mother" seems at first a contradiction. No. A father can perform what is substantially a technical and intellectual act of teaching Torah. But, the Torah is G-d's wisdom, and King Solomon was the greatest paragon of wisdom who ever lived. No one is more able to tell us that the Torah of the father lives only because of the Torah of the mother. The Torah comes from the same Creator Who created us. The Torah knows human nature and psychology. Much as some of us analytical Litvaks hate to admit it, human behavior comes from emotions, not from the intellect. Ask any ba'al mussar: the purity of midos in the heart determine emotions, and emotions determine thoughts and behavior. It is the mother who nurtures and forms the midos and emotions, creating the roots of the personality of the child, especially during the young years. Chazal refer to early years as the years of "tzarich eemo (when the child needs its mother)." It is not when the child needs its father. It is the mother who upon whom the child's development, midos, emotions, course in life, and Torah depend. The father does not get to "square one" teaching Torah unless and until the mother laid the appropriate groundwork and foundation. The wisest of all men, who knew wisdom better than any other mortal, said of the Jewish wife, "Her wisdom built her home [Proverbs 9:1]." The Jewish woman creates the roots so the father might produce a tree. The Jewish woman creates the foundation so that the father can build a building. But without her contribution and input, the father does not even get started. Our people depends on the Jewish woman. She is our backbone, even when in the background! Credit for our achievements and survival goes to her. It is the Jewish woman who deserves our entire people's respect, appreciation, recognition and admiration. Again - the Torah acknowledges her, not the husband. At the start, a child only feels. When the woman develops the child so it has a wholesome foundation, it will learn Torah suitably from the father. Only the woman's love, intuitive understanding and ability make the "raw material" of a child into a kailee (instrument, container) for the Torah that the father will teach when the child comes to the age of intellectual understanding.

A widespread problem today is the focus on the intellect and putting emotions into a "back seat." Western society disparages the emotional qualities that are natural to the women. Society put the intrinsic role of the woman down, women are forced into man's roles and the mentality of sameness. That which is intrinsically feminine or masculine evaporates, the woman is implicitly put-down by society because being what she authentically is gets played down; saying that the real her, the person she truly is ain't OK. Black glasses make snow look black. Men are no longer real men either. They don't respect the women and the women don't respect the men. Neither is any longer what the other was created to need or to respect. This is destructive to the women, the men and the children. Therefore, the problem today is that what a woman is, never mind how she should be regarded or praised, gets blurred. In the process, the perception is created that she and her nature are not OK. Getting back to the Torah reveals that she is more than OK. She is revered and precious. If only every Jewish heart - male and female - would be interested in learning - and practicing - the Torah more!

If Jewish women knew how high the Torah's regard for them is, and how the Jewish wife is the greatest hero of our nation; and if they could reap the fulfillment, self-esteem, happiness and satisfaction that a Jewish woman deserves; and if Jewish men would appreciate, respect, love and treat Jewish women as our men are obliged to; their wives would give back and respond in kind; and today's disruptive shalom bayis, divorce, aguna and Orthodox feminism trends would evaporate. Jewish marriages would be peaceful and happy.

 

HOW TRUE BEAUTY ISN'T ONLY SKIN-DEEP

A superficial marriage is a "dead marriage waiting to happen." Much emphasis today is placed on externals - looks, money, impression, status. These often contradict marriage success; causing harm, torment and self-sabotage. It is the deeper qualities that enable a marriage to endure and to be happy.

A husband and wife each are obligated to VOLUNTARILY treat each other like royalty [Midrash], with excesses of respect [Rambam, Ishuss], ongoing giving which pleases one another [Michtav Me'Eliyahu] and loyal obedience to the marital instructions of Chazal [Pela Yo'etz]. The greatest thing is peace [Beraishis Raba]. True wisdom is turning bad things into good things [Orchos Tzadikim], true strength is turning someone who hates you into someone who loves you [Avos DeRebi Noson] and it is easy for you to love someone who loves you [Rabbi Akiva Aiger]. It is crucial for spouses to make themselves exclusive for one another and to vigilantly make each other know this securely and constantly. If they do all this, together with the practical functioning in life required of each, and with effective communication, the couple will have great love for each other.

The more modest, humble, respectable and good-hearted a woman makes herself, the bigger she gets in her husband's eyes. The bigger a wife makes herself, the smaller she gets in her husband's eyes [Menoras Ha'Maor]. Either way (bigger or smaller), his nature is to respond with the opposite of what she presents to him. That's the way G-d made nature. Taking modesty seriously, and keeping affection and physicality private, are major parts of the holiness of the Jewish people. Modesty is a safeguard against immorality, which is a vital element of peaceful marriage; and keeps a woman exclusively for her husband.

Jewish law requires that a woman be modest in dress, demeanor, actions and approach to marriage, career and life. When she is modest, she is meritorious in G-d's eyes. Further (even though this may be contrary to modern theory), the more a wife is modest, the more a husband will love, respect and admire her. Her internal character qualities make her bigger, more beautiful and beloved to her husband. "All of a Jewish woman's honor is internal (Psalms 45:14)." Immodesty and externals have no intrinsic worth. "Charm is false and external beauty is empty, a woman who reveres G-d is praiseworthy (Proverbs 31:30)."

One of the main manifestations of modesty is in the woman's dress code, which achieves a privacy about herself to which the public may not have access. In the modesty-dress-code, the clothes of a Jewish woman or girl must keep her covered to at least the knees and elbows (the clothes must allow for complete coverage under all circumstances, e.g when passing an article to another person; when bending, lifting or turning), the neck-line must be covered and closed (e.g. no low neckline nor open buttons) so that nothing under the neck is ever disclosed. Her demeanor has to be modest. If a woman wears clothes that are technically modest but * the colors are loud or * her walk is evocative or * the clothes are tight-fitting or * the clothes have slits or * her elbows, knees and neckline are not covered by the garment when she passes a plate of potatoes or * she fixes her stockings on the sidewalk or * she yells - she misses the point, defeats the purpose and still violates modesty. Once a woman has been married, her own hair must be covered with an appropriate kerchief, hat or wig. Please consult your orthodox rabbi for details or questions.

Just as beautiful inner qualities endear a wife to her husband, Torah makes a husband more esteemed in the eyes of a Jewish wife. If a man fulfills his obligation to learn Torah regularly every day; AND if the learning will show up IN HIM; the combination of: * his active dedication to regular times for Torah learning and * the Torah being evident in his speech, behavior, thinking and character...bring a man respect, fondness, devotion and admiration from his wife. He also should ongoingly and unconditionally: bring presents (that show thought, not necessarily cost big money), ask how she and the children are, thank her for things she does, offer to do favors, and show that she matters and is precious to him.

The crucial traits are those of the heart - sterling midos, affection, honor, integrity, understanding, warmth and responsibility. When, in practical life, the spouses consistently present to each other: inner, Torah-based qualities and treatment (and doing so sweetly and gently, with concern and consideration, relating HEART TO HEART), their peace WITH each other, appreciation FOR each other and trust IN each other truly zooms up! In these few paragraphs is much of what goes into having a strong, compatible, beautiful, happy and lasting marriage. Think into this deeply and apply it diligently.

 

A WIFE OF VALOR (Running Commentary Of "Aishes Chayil," based primarily on Gemora, Midrash and Rishonim)

Now, let's look at that wonderful Biblical ode to the Jewish wife and see what it is that makes a woman into a praiseworthy wife. Our basic source is "Aishess Chayil (A Wife of Valor)," sung by the Jewish husband to his wife every Friday night (before "kiddush"), originating from the book of Mishlai-Proverbs 31:10-31. We'll do a running commentary to the verses and see what goes into being a superb, wonderful, valorous Jewish wife.

Who can find wife of valor? Her value is far beyond that of pearls (verse 10). The Targum translates chayil (valor) to mean "kosher." Chazal say that "A kosher wife does what her husband wants" [Tana DeBay Eliyahu 9]. A proper wife is pious, patient and devoted. She separates from the house of her family and gives herself over to her husband through good times and bad from youth to old age. Metsudas Tzion defines chayil as zealous, straight, correct, principled. Eben Ezra says that she has wisdom and is capable of material acquisitions. The Targum translates the reference to pearls as meaning that a Jewish wife is more precious and dear than pearls.

When the Jews were slaves in Egypt, the men separated from their wives, saying, "Why should we bring children into the world? They will just be slaves and suffer." The righteous Jewish women understood that, even though their husbands were in despair, G-d will redeem the Jewish people. There has to be a new generation of Jews. The women made themselves attractive. They comforted and encouraged their husbands. Through their virtue, the Jewish woman were responsible for the birth of the generation that was redeemed and which went on to receive the Torah. They cast the mold for Jewish women - who are the support and strength and of their husbands in all generations.

The midrash tells of how Rabbi Meir's two sons died on the same day. His wife wisely broke the news to him in a gradual and considerate way. She said to her husband that a deposit was entrusted by Hashem to them. She asked him whether they should return the deposit to the one who entrusted her with it, not revealing the identity of the deposit. He replied that she certainly should return the deposit, she revealed to him that their two sons were the deposit and they were claimed back by Hashem. This also refers to women in the Bible who supported their husbands in service of G-d; who did charity, kindness and good deeds. This is, of course, a model and inspiration for a Jewish wife in all generations, including today.

A lovely midrash tell of how Hashem revealed to Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov that He would bring their descendants, the Jewish people, into a long, hard and bitter exile. Avraham prayed, "I was prepared to sacrifice my only son for You. In my merit, redeem the Jewish people from exile." Hashem said, "No." Yitzchok prayed, "I was prepared to BE the sacrifice for You. In my merit, redeem the Jewish people from exile. Hashem said, "No." Yaakov prayed, "I raised the twelve holy tribes. In my merit, redeem the Jewish people from exile. Hashem said, "No." Then, Rachel prayed, "My father switched my sister for me at Yaakov's wedding. I gave my sister Leah the signals that Yaakov and I arranged, that the wedding should proceed, in order not to break her heart and publicly humiliate Leah. In my merit, redeem the Jewish people from exile." Hashem said, "For you, I will redeem the Jewish people from exile because you practiced chesed together with rachamim." Avraham was famous for kindness. We see that the practice of kindness (chesed) in conjunction with rachamim (sensitivity, caring, compassion, mercy for another) is a powerful and meritorious combination. Redemption from exile will require chesed together with rachamim, so it is mida kinnegged mida that the redemption come due to Rachels's merit. It is not nearly as much to do an act as when it is done with deep feeling for and sense of connection to the recipient - what the other's state, situation, pain, need, etc. is. Rachel achieved this with her sister Leah, and the Torah attributes so much merit to her act of chesed together with rachamim that it is because of her that the Jewish people will come to salvation from exile. The Jew should be inspired to act with chesed together with rachamim in practical behavior with other Jews in general, and one's family in particular.

The Torah lauds and appreciates women from Creation and on. The name Chava (Eve) means "mother of all life," whereas "Adam" means "man," but does not mean "father of all life." Whereas the commandment to teach Torah applies to a father, the Bible says, "Never abandon the Torah of your mother." The impact of a mother - her love, her tenderness - is deeper and more fundamental to her child and his development. Because the inclination in a child is to warm up to the mother, the Torah (in its commandment to honor parents) states honor of father before that of the mother, to compensate for the natural tendency to honor a mother, so that honor is equal.

Avraham achieved the high level of prophesy and brought awareness of G-d into the world. Yet, the Torah says that G-d told Avraham to listen to Sarah for her understanding and prophesy were on a higher level than his. While she was alive, G-d's divine presence hovered over their home, their home was generously hospitable to guests, the dough was blessed because she used her material property for service of G-d and the Friday night lights remained burning till each subsequent Friday evening because Sarah kept peace with Avraham. When Sarah died, all of these attributes left Avraham's house. They only returned after Yitzchok married Rivka. The Torah lauds Rivka as a paragon of kindness and goodness.

When the Jews were in Egypt, Miriam said to her father, "By separating from my mother, you are more cruel and murderous than Paro. He kills the Jewish male babies and you kill both male and female." When he returned to his wife, they bore Moshe (who saved the Jewish people) and the other couples followed suit and resumed normal married life, and produced the generation which was redeemed. Due to Paro's decree to cast all Jewish baby boys into the Nile, Moshe's mother put him into a basket and his sister, Miriam, put it on the Nile and watched after it. When Paro's daughter found the basket and adopted the baby, Miriam arranged for her mother to be hired by the princess to nurse the baby. When the Jews were in the desert, how was their water supplied? G-d miraculously provided a rock which followed the Jewish people around in the hot, sandy desert, which supplied the Jewish people with water - in Miriam's merit! When Miriam died, the entire nation stopped traveling to mourn for this woman who both caused and saved the life of Moshe.

In the desert, at the sins of the golden calf and the spies discouraging the Jews from going into the land of Israel, no woman participated. The women were steadfastly loyal to G-d.

In the days of the Judges, in one generation there was no leader in Israel. A neighboring nation attacked Israel. A woman of superlative wisdom, courage and character became the leader of Israel. Devorah lead the people to service of G-d and defeat of the army of attacking Sisera. She assembled and lead Israel's army which killed the invading army to the last man - except their leader, Sisera. He escaped into a house in which the wife, Yael, was home alone. Sisera demanded that she hide and feed him, and tell any pursuer that he was not there. She gave him a heavy meal which, in combination with his war-weariness put him to sleep. Yael took a stick and hammer and broke his head. The Jewish people now were entirely saved, owing to Devorah and Yael.

In the days of Achashverosh, it was the righteous and courageous Esther who saved the Jewish people - leading to the Purim miracle. In the days of the Chashmonoyim, Yehudis enticed the leader of the invading Greeks. She fed him salted cheese, which made him thirsty. She gave him strong wine to drink. When he fell asleep, she cut the general's head off and broke the courage of the Greek army, allowing the Maccabees to defeat the invaders and save Israel - leading to the Chanuka miracle.

The woman in the home is the greatest heroine. She effectively and devotedly accomplishes a complex multiplicity of high-pressure tasks. I know a case where a good natured husband offered to help his wife. She told him to watch the cooking, handle the baby, sweep the floor, make a phone call. Just listening to the instructions he became confused, discouraged and dizzy. He apologetically said, "Never mind." He couldn't manage all the things his wife had to do at one time. She couldn't fully understand what was so difficult (she does it all the time!). She graciously went right back to he busy routine "without missing a beat." He had awe, appreciation and marvel for his wife ever after. In Judaism, it is the modest, pious and virtuous wife who is responsible for the achievements of her husband and sons. "'He who has a happy heart always lives a feast' (Proverbs 15:15). This refers to one who has a good wife (Bava Basra 145b)."

Her husband's heart relies upon her and he will lack nothing because of her (verse 11). The valorous wife's husband can fully and safely trust her down to the depths of his heart. Even if he is poor, a Jewish wife brings sweetness and happiness to her husband. If a wife is evil, she will make a good man evil. If a wife is good, she will make an evil man good. A man's character goes after the righteousness of his wife. Metzudas Dovid says that he can trust her so much, that even when he goes away he remains fully secure that she will take care of and protect all of his home and business. Ralbag writes that her husband's heart trusts her because she learns to feel what he wants and does it before he asks.

The midrash tells of a couple who were married for ten years and had no children. They came to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochoi for a divorce. The Rabbi understood that even though they sought a divorce for childlessness (perhaps if they married others, they might have children), they dearly loved each other. He said that they must make a feast for their divorce just as they made a feast for their wedding. During the feast, the wife made the husband drunk. He said to his wife, "Choose whichever item which you want most in our home and take it with you to your father's house." He then fell asleep. She instructed her servants to carry her husband to her father's house. When he awoke, he asked her, "Where am I?" She replied, "In my father's house." "Why am I here?" She replied sweetly, "You told me to choose the item which I want most and take it to my father's house. I love nothing more than you." They returned to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochoi. When he saw that they recognized the depth of their love, he prayed for them and G-d gave them a progeny.

She gives to him good and never bad all the days of her life (verse 12). It is important to see that the language in the verse is doubled: she bestows good to him AND not bad. It is possible for someone to be both good and bad, at different times or in different situations. A person could make you happy in some ways and drive you crazy in other ways. The valorous wife constantly and consistently bestows good to the exclusion of bad.

The verb "gomail" (to give, bestow, pay) is significant. The verse doesn't say "nosain" (which also could mean "to give"). What "gomail" indicates is that she doesn't just technically or just to keep busy do good. She makes sure that it is delivered all the way to where it is good for her husband. It is good in quality and quantity. It is good for him, it "lands" where it should go, she follows through to make sure the good is always fully delivered. That's the kind of good that she does to the exclusion of any bad, all the days of her life. She is particularly reliable when he is in need or suffering. Metzudas Dovid writes that she pays back for the good her husband does for her but never for the bad that he may have done.

He will lack nothing from her. If a man honors his wife, he will be blessed on her account and grow more wealthy. If her husband treats her all his life with respect and goodness, she and G-d repay him for the good he does to her. If a man makes his wife secure and happy, it is in the nature of the Jewish wife to give back. She will give back in return to the point at which he is secure down to the depths of his heart. She will be a gain for him all of her life. Her virtue and value will be more than the worth of pearls - worth more than anything of material value.

She seeks wool and flax and she works willingly with her hands (verse 13). Eben Ezra says that she seeks to obtain wool and flax (i.e. materials that she needs in order to do her work). Metzudas Dovid goes further by saying that she seeks, on her own, to obtain the wool and flax that she needs and she works with them without being prodded by anyone else. She voluntarily takes on the responsibilities of wifehood, motherhood and housekeeping of her own free will. She is ready to work with her own hands to fulfill her responsibilities. She even has will to do her work as if her hands run to do it, even when the work is hard.

She is like merchant ships bringing food from far away (verse 14). A merchant ship has to sail to bring merchandise to or from distant lands to do its commerce, she does what she has to do to prepare food and maintain the house. Metzudas Dovid writes that even though her husband is required to support her, if she has the talent or if the house has the need, she will work and help support her husband and earn livelihood that the family needs.

She wakes up when it is still night to give food to her household and a portion to the servants (verse 15). She makes sure that what each person needs is provided. She gets up to give each person of the house his or her division of food (Targum). The midrash says that this refers to Bisya, daughter of Paro, who sustained Moshe. She converted to be a Jew and the midrash counts her as among the righteous of Jewish women. She rose early (to go to the river) and (upon finding Moshe) fed a Jewish child.

She considers a field and buys it, from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard (verse 16). She thinks about a field (Targum), weighing a thing before she does it. She considers, and only then, buys the field. Metzudas Dovid says that when a valorous wife considers doing something, and deems it worthy of doing, then, once she decides it is right to do, she doesn't rest until she accomplishes it. She works diligently and stays with something so that until she brings it to the fruition towards which she is working, she doesn't let up; and from her work there are prosperous results (Targum).

She girds herself with power and strengthens her arms (verse 17). Metzudas Dovid explains that she exerts herself extensively to perform work. She runs and works zealously to strengthen her resolve to do her work (Ralbag). Chazal also apply this verse to Miriam who had a prophesy that her mother would give birth to a son who would be the redeemer of Israel from Egypt and slavery. When Moshe was born, and the slavery then grew heavier, her father hit her on the head, asked, "Where is your prophesy?" and spat in her face. Miriam strengthened herself, adhered with conviction to her prophesy and watched after her brother from a distance while he was floating in the basket on the river - so strong were her resolve and perseverance through to completion.

She deems that her merchandise is good, her light does not go out at night (verse 18). She advises herself that her merchandise is good, she works on it into the night (Eben Ezra). She follows through to work for the profit (or goal) into the night (Metzudas Dovid). Chanah, mother of the Prophet Shmuel, prayed so diligently for a son, merited one who was compared to Moshe and Aharon. When Shmuel first attained to prophesy, the Bible uses language similar to our verse here, "And the light of G-d had not gone out and Shmuel was asleep in the Temple of G-d where the ark of G-d was and G-d called to Shmuel...(1 Samuel 3:3-4)." His mother prayed late into the night and merited a son who would begin to receive prophesy late at night.

She stretches her hand onto the spinning stick [kishor] and her hands support the spindle (verse 19). There is a deeper meaning than the apparent meaning of her operating her weaving machine. Rashi writes that "kishor" is related to "machshir (prepares). The kishor is the stick which prepares the spindle to spin. What the valorous wife does, she does in order to prepare things for greater purposes. Although her mind is on her business, she doesn't move from - and remains devoted to - her mundane work (Metzudas Dovid). In midrash, this refers to the pious Yael. She killed Sisera, the leader of an army invading Israel, by stabbing him with a tent peg. She refrained from using a sword because the Torah commands that a Jewish woman wear no article of a man. Yael stretched out her hand and did what she had to, to support the entire Jewish nation.

She spreads out her hand to the poor person and she stretches her hand out to the needy (verse 20). She generously opens her hand to enable to poor person to take her donation. She does not close her hand to hold onto it. She makes it accessible and available. (Metzudas Dovid). She gives bread for the poor to eat (Eben Ezra).

She is not afraid for her household of snow and all of her household is dressed in colorful clothes (verse 21). She does not fear cold, inclement weather. She dresses her family in brightly colored clothes (Rashi), being deep red, which keep her family very warm (Metzudas Dovid).

She makes bedspreads for herself, her garment is fine linen and purple wool (verse 22). Beautiful bedspreads (Rashi) that she made herself (Metzudas Dovid). Lovely clothes symbolize lovely, praiseworthy and clean midos (character traits). Soiled clothes symbolize repugnant character traits (Ralbag). The virtuous, valorous wife is "clothed" in fine, beautiful midos.

Her husband is known at the gates when he sits with the elders of the land (verse 23). The "gates" of a town, in Biblical times, were the place where the scholars and the court convened. Because his virtuous wife furnishes beautiful garments, her husband is recognizable by the people of his town (Rashi). Because of the beautiful clothes that his wife made, he is well esteemed when he sits with the wise and important leaders at the city gate. (Metzudas Dovid). Because of her, the leaders and sages of the city give him recognition and respect. The husband is famed for his vast wisdom, acquired because his wife encouraged him to learn assiduously. (Ralbag).

In Midrash, this refers to King David's wife Michal. She was daughter of King Saul, who sought to kill David. When Saul pursued David, he had to flee for his life. He went to the prophet Shmuel, who taught David Torah that an accomplished scholar would not grasp. He gained tremendously, so much so that the Talmud says that the nation came to King David with the hardest and most complex of Torah questions. He owed this to his wife, who rescued him and helped him escape to Shmuel. Since his scholarship and his life were owed to Michal, he publicized her devotion to him and, when he attained scholarship and kingship, he came to be known as: Michal's husband. Due to his valorous wife, David lived to be king and he came to be known at the gates, i.e. as a paragon of learning and of wisdom.

She makes a cloak and sells it, she gives a strap to the merchants (verse 24). In addition to the clothes that she makes for the family, she also makes garments to sell to others (Metzudas Dovid). She contributes to the family livelihood. She improves the family income so that when she wants nice things for herself, she earns the money on her own (Ralbag). A cloak is a garment in which one enwraps oneself (Metzudas Tzion). She sells the cloak to merchants (Rashi, Eben Ezra). By wisely using her work time to produce a useful item, she can sell it commercially.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the final day (verse 25). Her clothes are strong, durable and dignified in their beauty (Metzudas Dovid). It is (owing to her virtues) like she is dressed in strength and dignity (Eben Ezra). She has complete beauty owing to her beautiful midos, with which she subjugates her physical desires. She achieves this by conducting herself completely by the ways of the Torah (Ralbag).

She can laugh all her life at the final day, her day of death, because she has a good reputation (Rashi). She will be honored when she dies (Metzudas Dovid). She is happy owing to having lived a spiritual, virtuous life. She is not worried about lacking anything when she will be old nor about lacking anything in her eternal life (Eben Ezra). Great people do not fear death (Ralbag). When one is born, no person knows what one's potential is. At the time one dies, it is known what one's life has been and has achieved. One who has lived a meritorious life go onto G-dly reward for their goodness, virtues, Torah, mitzvos and spiritual accomplishments. The valorous wife has spent her time on behalf of her husband, children, nation and Creator.

Her mouth is open with wisdom the instruction of kindness is on her tongue (verse 26). The "formula" for her virtuous life is spending her time exclusively involved in Torah and kindness. She is not content for her alone to speak Torah and perform kindness. She is a role model and good influence on everyone that she possibly can be. She uses her power of speech exclusively for Torah and kindness. Everything she says and does conveys Torah and kindness, and sanctifies G-d to all who see her. Even her mundane activities have good motivations. All of her statements are with wisdom, she teaches and motivates others to do kindness to other people (Metzudas Dovid). The midrash refers "instruction of kindness" to the woman in 2 Shmuel 20:16-22 who saved a city by wisely demonstrating that the city was innocent.

She looks over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of laziness (verse 27). She pays attention to all the needs of her household and watches that all behave with truth and with modesty (Rashi). She does not do her work imperfectly, all preparations are complete, everything is done fully (Ralbag). She eats quickly and very efficiently, not wasting a lot of time over eating, so that she will get back to, and be diligent in all of, her duties.

Her children rise and rejoice in her and her husband praises her (verse 28). Her entire family praises her because of her wonderful actions (Metzudas Dovid). Her husband praises her for their children; the children are a testament to her greatness and attribution of valor to her (Eben Ezra).

Many woman have acquired valor but you outdo them all (verse 29). This is the articulation of the praises by her husband and children in the previous verse (Rashi). Even though other women have been meritorious, you are the best (Ralbag, Eben Ezra). In midrash, this refers to Ruth, who left a privileged life as a heathen princess. She converted to Judaism, becoming a commoner during hard economic times, to live as a pious Jew.

Charm is false and beauty is meaningless, a woman who fears G-d is praiseworthy (verse 30). Everything in the physical world is meaningless and false. In the long run, no one praises anyone for charm or beauty. Only fear of G-d can cause one to come to being truly praiseworthy (Rashi). The Torah says, "What does Hashem ask of you but that you fear G-d." Hashem Himself defines "fear of G-d" as the key quality for a person to cultivate because this is the trait on the basis of which one is able to choose between good and evil, to make free-will choices, and thereby serve the will of G-d. Fear of G-d is a pivotal and fundamental mida (trait). When a wife has this trait, and conducts her behavior on the basis of it, she achieves the true thing for which a person is to be praised. This will be the basis for all the praiseworthy actions that she performs in her lifetime. This verse also refers to Ruth, who abandoned her family, ancestry and wealth to move to Israel and become a G-d fearing Jew. Her reward was her being the great-grandmother of David, King of Israel, who praised Hashem by writing songs to G-d, the Biblical book of Psalms.

Give her the fruit of her hands and her deeds will praise her in the gates (verse 31). Her husband says to their children to give to her the fruits of her efforts so that people will praise her; also, her deeds will attribute praise to her by their own merit (Eben Ezra). Pay her back kindly for her deeds and praise her (Metzudas Dovid). Her deeds will evoke praise from the important and learned sages and elders of the town who are at the gates; where people will tell of her sweet and pleasant midos, her good character, her fear of Hashem; and the purpose of all of this is that the Jewish woman will be correct and will strive to serve her husband and to manage her house according to the fashion described in this "Aishess Chayil" material (Ralbag).

These are the truly praiseworthy, wonderful things in a wife, as the Torah teaches us. The wife whose actions, character and qualities are those which are praised by the sages of the Torah who assemble at the gates of the city, the people who know the Torah, know what the Torah wants and values, this wife truly is the wife of virtue, in the Torah's eyes.

 

WIFE OF VALOR/AISHESS CHAYIL CONCLUSION

We learn from "Aishess Chayil [Woman Of Valor]," that a woman who fears Hashem is the truly praiseworthy woman. King Solomon, at the conclusion of Kohelless/Ecclesiastes writes that fear of Hashem and doing His mitzvos is all there is to human life. A true aishess chayil, therefore, is attached to the true purpose and goal of human existence.

Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch writes that when G-d created man, at the time of creation, He formed man from cold and dead earth. When G-d formed woman, He created her out of already living and warm tissue. This means that woman started on a higher level and has the potential to be the highest entity in creation.

When the Jewish woman's conduct is characterized by fear of G-d and Torah, and she instills and reinforces these in her family, she has reached the pinnacle of what human existence is for. It is not by accident that the Jewish woman is called the "ikkerress habayis, the essence of the house." She is the one who makes each home fulfill its role, duty and destiny to fear G-d, obey His Torah and achieve the purpose for which G-d created human life. She is the one upon whom we depend to ensure the spiritual integrity and continuity of our people.

Chazal tell of a young man who fell in love with a young woman, who wouldn't have anything to do with him. He was in agony with lovesickness. He asked his rov if he could climb up on the wall around her house to at least look at her. His rov said, "No." He said that if he cannot at least see her, he will die. His rov told him that it is better for him to die than for him to SEE EVEN ONE PINKY OF HERS because that would be using a bas Yisroel [daughter of Israel] for improper pleasure. So high is the esteem in which the Jewish people view its women, so marked by respect and concern is the Jewish mind-set about its women, that it was better for this young man to die than even slightly violate the high reverence required for the Jewish woman.

Similarly, when we insist that a woman dress and behave modestly, cover her hair when married, walk behind her husband, or the like; these are not to make her a second class citizen. These are to keep man's view of her from being inappropriate, to keep his view of each bas Yisroel 100% pure and respectful. When the Jewish woman remains modest, she is protected from being regarded by men wrongly. Her dignity is preserved.

When the Jewish woman says an alternative blessing that G-d created her "according to His will," this is not a "put down," this is a COMPLIMENT to her! He made her, from already living flesh, with higher intuitive understanding and the ability to be the essence of the Jewish people and calling, giving the Torah woman the highest potential in the universe, if she chooses to fulfill it.

The Jewish woman is created with potential to be the most superior creation there is. Man has extra mitzvos because he has greater need to be channelled. Woman is free from active, time-based mitzvos so she can do what she was created for and has the perfect nature for. She is a hero of our people, created by G-d "according to His will." When she fulfills her practical and spiritual duties and responsibilities, woman is the height of creation!

 

THE TALMUDIC SAGES ON JUDAISM'S HIGH REGARD FOR JEWISH WOMEN

Let me bring several teachings from Chazal [the sages] that show how high and central the regard for woman is in traditional Judaism.

Midrash Beraishis Raba teaches how a husband should take care of a wife. The Torah writes (Genesis 12:8) that Avraham prioritized his wife before himself. Avraham traveled and pitched "oheloH (his tent)." In Hebrew, the suffix "H" makes a noun possessive in the feminine gender (i.e "her" object). The masculine possessive comes with the vowel "O" as a suffix (i.e. "his" object). The Torah in Genesis 12:8 uses the strange combination of vowel "O" and the consonant "H" with the noun "ohel (tent)." The translation of the text as spoken is "his tent," and the translation of the text as written is "her tent." So what is the meaning of the Torah's placing of this unusual "O" and "H" together? The midrash explains that Avraham first pitched the tent of Sara, his wife, before he pitched his own. We see this because the "H" is a consonant which is more dominant in Hebrew grammar than a vowel ("O"). The Torah is teaching us that whenever a husband needs to do something for himself and his wife, he must take care of his wife's needs first. This will apply to all forms of help, respect, kindness and consideration for his wife.

Derech Eretz Raba (chapter six) provides a wonderful lesson on giving benefit of doubt in a marriage context. "A man should never be strict about his meals. It once happened that Hillel the Elder invited a guest for a meal. A pauper came and stood at his door and said [to Hillel's wife], 'Today I am to marry a woman and I have no livelihood whatsoever.' [Hillel's] wife took the entire meal [which she made for her husband and his guest] and gave it to [the pauper]. After that, she kneaded another dough, cooked another meal and brought it and set it before them. [Hillel gently] said to her, 'My sweetheart, why did you not bring [the meal] to us immediately?' She described to him all that happened. He said to her, 'My sweetheart, I never judged you to be guilty. I only judged favorably, because all of your deeds were only done for the sake of Heaven.'"

Derech Eretz Raba (chapter eleven) teaches that "He who hates his wife is one who murders."

Kidushin (34b) says, "It is a man's obligation to make his wife happy."

Tractate Chulin (58b) has an aggadata (allegorical story). "For seven years a female mosquito quarrelled with [her husband] a male mosquito. She said to him, 'I once saw a human being from Mechuza [a town whose people enjoyed swimming] bathing in water. When he came out, he wrapped himself in a sheet. You came and settled down upon him and sucked out blood and you didn't let me know!'"

We see from this aggadata that a husband must share the pleasures of life with his wife. He must not keep or sneak them for himself and not hide from his wife what he does with his time. The Chazon Ish, possibly learning it from here, said that a husband must let his wife know when he's leaving, where he's going, what he is going to be doing and when he is going to be back. If he goes away on a journey, he must, every day, phone or write her a letter; and bring her gifts from the places that he visited. If he deprives her in any such ways, she will feel bad and "drive him crazy" about it "for seven years," meaning to say, for a long time.

Tractate Chulin (84b) says that a man should eat and drink less than in accordance with what he can afford, dress himself in accordance with what he can afford, and he should honor his wife and children more than in accordance with what he can afford. The wife and children are dependent on the husband, and the husband is dependent on the One Who Spoke And The World Was Created.

Tractate Shabos (62b) says that a man must never give a wife cause to curse him, for a justifiable curse (e.g. not spending on her in accordance with his means) can bring poverty.

Tractate Shabos (118b) Rabbi Yosi called his wife his "home," never "wife." Rashi explains that Rabbi Yosi spoke with wisdom even in his plain speech. By referring to his wife as his "home," he is adding a message that she is the essence, the central figure of their house. Madrich LeChasonim [Guide To Grooms] explains Rabbi Yosi beautifully by writing: the home is the essence of life, the wife is the essence of the home, therefore the wife is the essence of life, to the husband. It seems appropriate to add that she transforms a "building" into a "home" and into a refuge from the world, where he may have fulfillment and independence.

Tractate Kesubos (61a) says that a husband must share the benefits of his life (e.g. wealth or honor in the community) with his wife...a wife is given to a man for life and not for pain (he should care for her so as to keep her from pain)...she is responsible for the performance of a wife's duties.

Tractate Kesubos (62b-63a) recounts how Rabbi Akiva's wife sacrificed to enable him to learn Torah and how he honored and appreciated her. Rabbi Akiva, one of the greatest sages of the Talmud, grew up knowing no Torah. He was an uneducated shepherd. His employer's daughter recognized that he was modest and of superlative character. She said that if he would learn Torah she would marry him and he agreed. He married her and went away to yeshiva. Her wealthy father, infuriated that his daughter would marry the shepherd, disowned her. She lived in abject poverty and by herself for twelve years. When he returned, he had advanced to the point at which he had twelve thousand disciples. When he was arriving home, he heard an old man say to his wife, "How long will you live as a widow?" She replied, "I would have him learn another twelve years." Rabbi Akiva said, "This is her will," and he immediately about-faced and returned to yeshiva for another twelve years. When he returned home, he had twenty-four thousand disciples. When she heard that Rabbi Akiva was finally returning, she ran to meet him. Her clothes were those of a poor beggar and she fell on her face to kiss his feet. His students, thinking that this strange woman was publicly dishonoring their rabbi with immodest behavior, were about to push her aside. He told them to leave her alone and said to them, "ALL OF MY TORAH AND ALL OF YOUR TORAH IS HERS!"

Tractate Sanhedrin (76b) says that a husband should adorn his wife with attractive jewels and ornaments, to make her more respectable (this is a practical, concrete way of attributing honor to his wife). Besides giving honor, these make a woman very happy (even though men may have trouble understanding why!).

Tractate Taanis (23b) tells us that Aba Chilkia was a tzadik. When there was a drought, the townspeople came to his home to ask him to pray to Hashem for rain. He and his wife went to the roof and went to the opposite corners to pray. The clouds formed over his wife (answering her prayer). The people asked why the rain came in the merit of her prayer (since he was a tzadik). He answered that when he gives kindness, he does it by giving money to the poor. When his wife gives kindness, she personally cooks and serves food herself; which is more direct, immediate and meaningful.

 

KAVOD AND SHALOM ARE ESSENTIAL TO MARRIAGE

The Talmud makes unequivocal and clear that marriage obligates both spouses to give enormous kavod (honor, respect) to each other. The Talmud goes so far as to say that a marriage requires kavod for there to be peace. A husband must give his wife more kavod than he would give to himself (Yevamos 62b) and a wife must set aside her kavod for the kavod of her husband (Kidushin 31a). When brought as practical halacha, the law codes (e.g. Rambam and Tur) cite that an enormous, even excessive, measure of mutual kavod is obligatory on both the husband and wife for one another at all times. Kavod is basically a measuring rod for whether the Torah defines a marriage to be good or not, peaceful or not.

In my practical counseling for troubled marriages, or singles who have patterns of stormy or futile relationships, one of the things that is central and recurrent in all cases is that WHERE THERE IS TROUBLE, THERE IS NO KAVOD and WHERE THERE IS PEACE; THERE IS MUTUAL, CONSTANT AND TRUSTWORTHY KAVOD.

Pirkei DeRebbi Eliezer (chapter 13) says that G-d put His name between husband and wife: He put the letters "yod" and "heh" (which form a name of G-d) into the names for "ish" and "ishah" (Hebrew for "man" and "woman"). G-d said: If the couple will go in My ways and observe My laws, then My name is between them and this will save them from all trouble and anguish. If they will not go in My ways and observe My laws, then, when I am taken out of their marriage, they take the "yod" out of "Ish" and the "heh" out of "ishaH" and that leaves them with only "alef" and "shin" which spell "aish [fire]" and that fire will consume them.

In the gemora (Tractate Sota 17a) Rabbi Akiva explained that when a husband and wife are worthy, the Divine Presence dwells with them and when they are not worthy, fire burns them. Rava said that when the fire is caused by the woman, it is worse, comes faster and is more punitive than the fire caused by the man. This is learned by the fact that the first two letters of the word isha (wife) form the word aish (fire) whereas the first two letters of the word ish (husband) do NOT form the word aish [there is a letter "yod" in-between which means that ish is further away from aish; i.e. a woman's ability to embitter a marriage is greater than a man's, e.g. if the man neglects or disrespects her].

Sefer Pela Yo'etz writes (in the section on "zivug [getting married]"), that the marriage which operates by following the Torah and its sages is the marriage which will be blessed by G-d and be happy. This couple will have a pleasant, calm, fortunate and good life; and will have a sweet lot in olam habo (eternal life).

 

KAVOD DUE FROM A WIFE

A wife has to cook, keep house, care for children, train the daughters and treat her husband like a maidservant treats a king. She should obey him and put his will before hers, keep his minhagim (religious practices), let him manage all spiritual issues and be "the boss" of the family and refrain from anything he hates. She should not nag, pressure, embitter or criticize him. She should be supportive and encouraging when he is upset, pressured or troubled; and of his work and life mission. She should be modest in dress and demeanor. She should use her talents, sensitivity and nature to contribute to her family and marriage (much the way a "teammate" on a ball club contributes his unique role, abilities and position to the good of the "team.")

"The sages said in a midrash that one wise woman directed her daughter when she was about to marry, saying to her, 'My daughter, stand before your husband like before a king and serve him. If you will be like a maid to him, he will be like a slave to you and he will honor you like his master. And if you will make yourself big upon him, he will be like a master over you against your will; and you will be, in his eyes, cheap like a maidservant'" (Menoras HaMeor, portion "To Marry a Wife," section four, chapter two).

Rambam writes that a wife must be extremely modest (especially regarding demeanor, clothing and covering of her hair). She should minimize levity and silliness, she should not speak on the subject of marital relations, she should not refrain from being with her husband, especially when this will pain him. She should obey all of his words, instruction and will. She must honor her husband exceedingly as if she views him to be an officer or king, and she must distance herself from anything he dislikes. This, Rambam concludes, is the way the holy women in Israel conduct themselves in their marriages, and through this, the couple will live a beautiful life together.

 

MARRIAGE WISDOM FROM CHAZAL AND GEDOLAY TORAH

Chazal, in Tractate Derech Eretz Zuta, say, "Be humble and beloved to all, and even moreso to your own household" (chapter three). "A house with dissention is destroyed" (chapter nine).

Tractate Taanis says, "It is obligatory that each Jew constantly train his personality to be gentle, as it says [Ecclesiastes 11:10], 'Remove anger from your heart' (4a)." This cryptic and fundamental Chazal tells us that 1. anger and gentleness are opposite ends of a "midos spectrum," 2. conquering anger, and getting to a full-time gentle temperament, is a lifelong constant task, 3. it is normal to expect that one must work hard on removing anger and becoming gentle and 4. this is a full-time obligation. This is especially so in marriage, where people are close and live with each other daily. Rabbi Ada Bar Ahava was asked by his students to what he attributed an extraordinarily long life. He answered, "I was never stern within my house (20b)."

We have a rule that Torah must always be as concise as possible. When a wording in a Torah source (e.g. Talmud or Bible) is longer than it could be, even one letter or word longer than the minimum way of expressing the point, the Torah source is adding something. The gemora (Bava Kama 93b) says, "A person must always be from among the persecuted and never from the persecutors." The Kotzker Rebbe, known for his sharp and insightful teachings asked, "Why does the gemora add the word 'always?' We are taught the message without it!" The Kotzker explained that the gemora understands human nature. There are people who can provoke, irritate, instigate another. The second person reacts and then behaves like a persecutor. But, the first person, who aggravated and provoked the second person, is really the one who "persecuted" the second person into being a persecutor! The first one tries to blame the second one for persecution, when the first one is the truly guilty party! Therefore, the Talmud says "ALWAYS" DO NOT BE A PERSECUTOR - INCLUDING THE TYPE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PERSECUTING THE SECOND PERSON INTO BEING A PERSECUTOR OF THE FIRST PERSON!

Rabbi Shimon Shkop wrote (Shaaray Yosher) that every month when the wife immerses in the mikva, she is reliving the wedding day, each time, on a progressively deeper and deeper level. The wedding time is when the couple does the most to please each other. Every month, the couple can renew and "recharge" their love on a deeper and deeper level, throughout a lifetime.

When her husband is angry, the wife should calm him; when he is hurt, she should soothe him; when he has been done bad to, she should comfort him; when he is worried, she should restore him; when he is pressured, she should minimize requests; and cancel her will for her husband (Shlaw HaKodesh). She should diminish his sadness, his worry or anything which is hard on his heart (Shaivet Mussar).

 

PRACTICAL "EVERY-DAY ADVICE"

It improves the spirituality, quality and atmosphere of a marriage immensely when the wife dovens two times a day and attends a good women's shiur (Torah class) at least one time a week.

When a husband comes home each day, he does not have the energy to hear his wife's complaints about life, the kids, etc. Don't pester him; analyze his day nor interrogate him like the FBI. Don't treat him like a child or slave. Be his wife, not his mashgiach. Instead of nagging or criticizing, be positive; encourage and express appreciation for good things (e.g. his Torah learning, working on his temper or sloppiness). He only need advise you of how he spends his time in general. He need not advise you in detail where he was and what he did every minute. Violating such principles will make a husband crazy, make him develop habits of escaping you and make him regret coming home. Let him arrive to a warm welcome each day. Make the effort to have an attractive physical appearance that makes him glad he has come home and which keeps his mind off all other women. Speak softly, sweetly, politely and from your heart. Start his time at home nicely. Let him settle himself and regain his strength; especially after commuting, long hours or a hard day. Be a wife he wants to come home to, be with and be pleasant to - of his own volition.

A major part of demonstrating love for a spouse is the ability to sincerely say (especially about something that is incomprehensible or worthless to you), "If it is important to you, it is important to me, BECAUSE YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO ME."

Each couple must have a qualified and mutually acceptable Rov to bring all questions, problems and differences to. EVERYTHING is addressed and governed by the Torah. Adopt a policy of, "WE DON'T HAVE FIGHTS, WE HAVE SHAALOS!"

 

Rabbi Forsythe can be contacted with serious inquiries about his professional services by e-mail through this site or by writing to Rabbi Forsythe c/o Jewish Press, 338 Third Avenue, Brooklyn NY, 11215, USA.

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