Shabbat Hebron @CBS (Copy)

(2) Peace upon you, angels of God's service, angels of the Most High, from the King of kings-of-kings,1Kings of yore, who ruled over other nations were known as ‘kings of kings.’ God is King even of the kings’ kings. the Holy One, blessed is He.

(3) Come in peace, angels of peace, angels of the Most High, from the King of kings-of-kings the Holy One, blessed is He.

(4) Bless me with peace, angels of peace, angels of the Most High from the King of kings-of-kings the Holy One, blessed is He.

(5) Go in peace, angels of peace, angels of the Most High from the King of kings-of-kings the Holy One, blessed is He.

(6) For His angels He will command in your behalf, to guard you in all your ways.2Psalms 91:11. Adonoy will guard your going and coming from now, forever.3Psalms 121:8.

(1) Whoever finds a valorous wife— far greater than that of pearls is her value.

(2) The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks no gain.4The literal meaning of שָׁלָל is “booty” which implies an unexpected gain to which one had no prior claim. Thus in our verse, although her husband had complete trust in her, her deeds actually surpassed his expectations.— S.R. Hirsch

(3) She repays him good and not evil all the days of her life.5A person can do much good to another and still cause him moments of pain or shame by his conduct. The true woman of valor, to whom this hymn is dedicated, gives her husband nothing but happiness, never a moment of grief all the days of her life.—S.R. Hirsch

(4) She seeks wool and linen, and works them willingly with her hands.

(5) She is like the merchant ships; from afar, she brings her food.6These verses are a tribute to the woman of valor who is willing to do far more than she is required to do. Although her husband is obligated to support her, she does not hesitate to do everything in order to provide for her family.—Metsudas Dovid

(6) She rises while it is still night and gives food to her household, and tasks to her maids.

(7) She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hand, she plants a vineyard.

(8) She girds herself with might and strengthens her arms.7She is not strong by nature; she “makes herself” strong. Her zeal and sense of duty give her strength and might.—S.R. Hirsch

(9) She senses that her business is good, [so] her lamp is not extinguished at night.

(10) She puts her hand to the spindle, and her palms support the distaff.8This verse is connected with what follows. No time is wasted in idleness. Her other work being finished, she spends her leisure in spinning and making garments for the poor and for the members of her household.

(11) Her palm she spreads out to the poor and her hands she extends to the needy.9An אֶביוֹן , a needy person, is in more desperate need than an עָנִי , a poor person. The woman of valor recognizes that. To the poor man, therefore, she opens her palms, permitting him to take what he wishes. But regarding the needy man, she takes the initiative by extending her hands to provide his needs.— Metsudas Dovid

(12) She has no fear for her household because of snow, for her entire household is clothed with scarlet [wool].

(13) Bedspreads, she makes herself fine linen and purple [wool] are her clothing.10She was attired in the costliest garments, as befits a distinguished woman.

(14) Well-known at the gates11Oriental cities had deep gateways shaded from the sun. There the elders sat as a court to adjudicate disputes and discuss important communal affairs. is her husband as he sits among the elders of the land.

(15) Garments she makes and sells them, and belts,12Like סָדִין a linen garment, חֲגוֹר , girdle, the noun is the collective singular. Sashes or belts were commonly worn around the waist. she provides for the merchants.

(16) Strength and splendor are her clothing,13These characteristics are borne by her as one wears clothes. See Psalms 104:1, “With beauty and splendor are You clothed.” and smilingly [she awaits her] last day.14God shows the righteous, just before their death, the share they have earned in the World to Come. Thus the woman of valor will be joyous on her last day, because then she will know the fullness of the reward she has earned through her virtuous conduct.—Exodus Rabbah 52:3

(17) Her mouth she opens with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness15She teaches others to do kind deeds.—Metsudas Dovid is on her tongue.

(18) She anticipates the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness, she does not eat.

(19) Her children rise16 and make her fortunate;17She will feel fortunate and happy with the evidence of their appreciation and love. There is no more eloquent testimony to her virtue. her husband—and he praises her:

(20) Many daughters have attained valor but you surpassed them all.

(21) Favor is deceptive and beauty is vain; a God-fearing woman— —she should be praised.

(22) Give her the fruit of her hand, and let her deeds praise her in the gates.18 Although her activities are confined to the home, due recognition will be given her even outside her immediate family. She will be eternally praised as a valiant example for the entire community.—S.R. Hirsch

(5) the sixth day.19The words יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי , the sixth day, are actually the last two words of the biblical verse that immediately precedes וַיְכֻלּוּ , which is the beginning of Kiddush. These two words are added as a preface to the actual Kiddush because the first letters of these two Hebrew words Y (yud) and H (heh) plus the first letters of the two words וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם , V (vov) and H (heh), form the Four Letter Name of God. Because these two words are part of a verse, the Sages incorporated the preceding words, וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בקֶר and there was morning and there was evening, to form a complete sentence. These words however, are said quietly as they do not relate to the Kiddush. And the heavens and the earth were completed and [so were] all their hosts. And God completed, by the seventh day,20God completed His work at the precise moment which marked the beginning of the seventh day, but nevertheless was not part of it. The Sages comment נִכְנַס בּוֹ כְּחוּט הַשַׂעֲרָה He entered into it (the seventh day) by a hairsbreadth.— Seporno His work which He had done; and He abstained on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for on it He abstained from all His work which God had created to do.21S.R. Hirsch translates “Which He, God, had brought into existence in order to continue the work of creation upon it.”

(6) (When reciting Kiddush on wine) Attention! our masters and our teachers

(7) Blessed are You, Adonoy our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

(8) Blessed are You, Adonoy our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and was pleased with us. And His holy Sabbath, with love and pleasure,22Our appointment to be the preservers of the Shabbos is not a stern command; it is actually a sign of God’s love and favor.—S.R. Hirsch He gave us for a heritage, a commemoration of the work of creation. (For this day is) the first23The Shabbos is listed first in Leviticus 23, where all the sacred festivals of the Jewish calendar are described. of the days of holy convocations commemorating the exodus from Egypt. (For us have You chosen and us have You sanctified from among all the peoples.) And Your holy Sabbath with love and pleasure You gave us for a heritage. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Sanctifier of the Sabbath.

(3) May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.

6) May God make you like Sorah, Rivkah, Rochel and Leah.

(4) May Adonoy bless you and guard you. May Adonoy shine His countenance upon you and be gracious unto you. May Adonoy turn His countenance toward you and grant you peace.