New Jewish Wedding Song
EISHET CHAYIL (The Woman of Valor)
by MICHAEL REID WINIKOFF
Style: Jewish-Chassidic
Mood: Poignant, Romantic
Use: Prelude, Interlude, Processional
Vocal or instrumental solo with piano (or
harp ad lib.) “The woman of valor who
can find?
Her value is far above rubies.” These verses from the concluding
chapter of Proverbs
are recited in the traditional Jewish home by husband to wife at
the Shabbat evening dinner table. And as we can imagine, they are
often sung at Jewish weddings, as a moment of deep meaning during the ceremony (a
"chuppah song"), or as processional for the bride’s entrance. This
new setting of Eishet Chayil, musically painted in deep Chassidic colors, might appropriately
be called a “Romance”.
DURATION: 3:30 (unabridged)
Text/Translation
Purchase
VOCAL
SOLO
|
Listen/View (High) - Vocal Line Only |
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO
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Audio Sample (Violin) Audio Sample (Clarinet) Audio Sample (Cello) |
Eishet chayil mi yimtza? V’rachok mip’ninim michra Batach ba leiv ba-la V’shalal lo yechsar G’malat-hu tov v’lo ra Kol y’mei chayeha Darsha tzemer ufishtim Vata-as kapeha Hayta ka-ani-ot socher Mimerchak tavi lachma Vatakam b’od lai-la Vatitein teref l’veita V’chok l’na-aroteha Zam’ma sadeh vatikacheihu Mipri chapeha nat’a karem Chagra v’oz matneha Vat’ameitz z’ro-oteha.... Sheker hachein v’hevel hayofi Isha yir’at A-donay hi tit-halal T’nu la mipri yadeha Vihal’luha vash’arim ma’aseha |
The woman of valor, who would find? Her worth far surpasses rubies. Her spouse trusts in her, His success shall not flag; She provides him for good, not for ill All the days of her life. She procures wool and flax And her hands gladly do their task. As a merchant ship She brings food from afar. She rises before the dawn, Giving meat to her household And apportioning to her maidens. She considers a field, and buys it, With gainful hand she plants vines. She girds herself with might, And strengthens her arms.... Charm is beguiling, and beauty fleeting But the woman who fears the Lord, She is deserving of praise; The fruits of her hands shall acclaim her, And her works praise her at the gates. - Proverbs 31:10-15 & 30-31 |