Commentaire sur Les Proverbes 31:31
תְּנוּ־לָ֭הּ מִפְּרִ֣י יָדֶ֑יהָ וִֽיהַלְל֖וּהָ בַשְּׁעָרִ֣ים מַעֲשֶֽׂיהָ׃
Rendez-lui hommage pour le fruit de ses mains, et qu’aux Portes ses œuvres disent son éloge!
Rashi on Proverbs
her deeds The skill of her deeds testifies for her so that all passersby praise her in the gate of the city. This is the figure, as I explained it, but according to the allegory, the chapter is explained as referring to the Torah and those who study it.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[10] a woman of valor This is the Torah.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
who can find Fortunate is he who merits to find it.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
than pearls Heb. מפנינים, [also referred to as] מרגליות.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[11] and he lacks no gain He eats the fruit in this world and in the next
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[13] She seeks wool and flax Since it [the Torah] is compared to a woman, Scripture speaks according to the figure concerning the requirements for the work of women, and the allegory is as follows: The Torah seeks Scripture, Mishnah and Midrash, and searches for them, as they are the requirements of the students.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[14] She is like the merchant ships The Torah brings those who study it blessing and sustenance.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[15] She rises when it is still night They rise early in the [morning] watch.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
she gives food to her household The teacher teaches the pupils the lesson allotted to them.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[16] She contemplates a field Heb. זממה. The Torah muzzles Esau, the “man of the field,” with a muzzle and a bridle.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
and purchases it lit. and takes him from the world to destroy him;
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
from the fruit of her deeds she plants a vineyard Israel, to keep them alive for the fire of the world to come.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[18] She advised Its speech.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
her lamp does not go out at night It is written בליל, with the “hey” missing; on the night of watching (ליל שמורים), when the Egyptians were plagued, it shone for Israel and protected them.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[19] onto the distaff Heb. בכישור, through the skill of its deeds.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
support the spindle Heb. פלך, a support, as in (II Sam. 3:29): “one who leans on a staff (מחזיק בפלך).”
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[20]She spreads out her hand Whoever makes himself like a poor man on its account—in him it [the Torah] endures.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[21] She fears not for her household for snow with which they judge the wicked from fire to snow.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
dressed in crimson The covenant of the blood of circumcision. Another explanation: They are dressed with the commandments expressed in double language. (Deut. 15:10): “You shall surely give (נתון תתן),” (ibid. verse 8): “you shall surely open (פתוח תפתח),” (ibid. verse 14): “you shall surely furnish him liberally (הענק תעניק).” All these save them from the snow of Gehinnom. So it is expounded in Tanhuma.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[24] She makes a cloak It grants a glorious [raiment] to the Sages.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
and she gives a belt to the trafficker To the one who is girded with its merchandise, she gives a belt for their loins.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[25] to the last day They need not grieve over the day of judgment because they will be saved from it, and all the days of their life they will rejoice at the day of judgment. An expression of צחוק, laughter, applies to anyone who need not be concerned, as in (Job 41:21): “and he rejoices at the din of a spear.”
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[27] She supervises the ways of her household The Torah teaches them the good way, to separate from sin.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[28] Her children The pupils.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
her husband The Holy One, blessed be He.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[30] Charm is false [The charm] of the kings of the nations.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
and...is futile Their greatness and their beauty.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
[31] Give her in the future.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Rashi on Proverbs
of the fruit of her hands Glory and greatness, strength, beauty and ruling power.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy