Woman of Valor

04/16/2006
My father read this today at my mother's unveiling.

We also read psalms, and the traditional El Maleh Rachamim and mourner's Kadish.

I'm not sure the author(s) had in mind a professional woman like my mother, but this "Woman of Valor" still seems extraordinarily appropriate.

A woman of valor, who can find?
Her worth is far above rubies.
The heard of her husband trusts in her
And nothing shall he lack.



She renders him good not evil
All the days of her life.
She opens her hand to the needy
And extends her hand to the poor.
She is robed in strength and dignity
And cheerfully faces whatever may come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom.
Her tongue is guided with kindness.
She tends to the affairs of her household
And eats not the bread of idneless.
Her children come forward and bless her,
Her husband too, and he praises her:
"Many women have done superbly,
Buy you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty vain,
But a God-revering woman is much to be praised.
Place before her the fruit of her hands;
Wherever people gather, her deeds speak her praise.

from Proverbs 31