Eshes Chayil
- WireNews
- 17 hours ago
- 6 min read
by Elisheva bas Chana
The beautiful 22 verses of Eshes Chayil, perek 31 of Sefer Mishlei, are traditionally sung on Friday night before kiddush on Shabbos. The singing of Eshes Chayil became a way of showing gratitude to the lady of the house for all the hard work she put in to greet the Shabbos Queen on time.
The Great Sacrifice
An inspiring story about Devorah Leah, the second daughter of the founder of the Chabad Movement, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, also known as the Alter Rebbe.
It was in the year 5552. The teachings of the Chassidim were very successful and widely spread. The Chassidic movement was fast growing and gaining more and more strength by leaps and bounds. Behind the vast growing movement was the Alter Rebbe, a pillar of learning, understanding, and knowledge. What should have been a time of great joy and excitement, as Judaism became much more meaningful to more Jews than ever before, was welcomed with dramatic changes in Jewish studies.
This should have been the greatest time, but grey and dark clouds were hanging over the Alter Rebbe’s head, as he was well aware that in the spiritual worlds a strong opposition stood against him and the revelation of the deep secrets of the Torah. So he did all he could think of to prevent disaster from happening.
He therefore sent an appointed messenger to the kever of the founder of the Chassidic movement, the Baal Shem Tov, and Dov Ber ben Avraham, also known as the Maggid of Mezeritch, his own spiritual mentor, to beg them on his behalf and for the benefit of the Jewish people. He then notified the Maggid’s students and colleagues of the dangerous times ahead. This, however, was not only for himself but also for the entire Jewish nation. He asked a colleague, Reb Nochem of Chernobyl, one of the most respected and admired followers of the Maggid, for a blessing. After that, as a last resort, he locked himself in his study; no one was allowed to enter. The Alter Rebbe then went into deep davening and begged HaShem. But in spite of everything he had done, he sensed that his attempts were without success.
One day, while anxiety was high, the Alter Rebbe called for his daughter, Devorah Leah. He informed her about everything that lay ahead and that there was strong opposition against revealing the most important aspects of Chassidim. He described the vision he had seen — the faces of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid — dark and clouded. Devorah Leah understood her father’s life was in danger.
Devorah Leah made a decision of her own and gathered three of her father’s senior Chassidim. She made a request, and they had to promise to fulfil whatever she asked of them. They also had to promise not to tell anyone of her request. Only after they agreed to these conditions would she proceed. First, she reminded them that they were Chassidim of her father and must prepare themselves to do whatever was necessary. It was important they understood that this would save her father’s work and preserve the successful teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.
Devorah Leah then broke down in tears and begged the three Chassidim, “I ask you to vow a solemn oath, one that cannot be annulled, that you will follow my request even when a human life is at stake.”
One of the Chassidim became apprehensive about committing himself to such a request, but the other two calmed him, saying that Devorah Leah would never act recklessly and must have contemplated the matter thoroughly.
As the air grew heavy with emotion, Devorah Leah explained how urgent the situation was and the threat hanging over her father’s life. She declared, “You three Chassidim will now constitute a beis din, a court of Jewish law. I have decided to give my own life in lieu of my father’s. I will die and he will live.”
It was on erev Rosh Hashanah of the year 5552, following the afternoon prayers, when Devorah Leah entered a small shul where her family and some elder Chassidim were davening. As she approached the Aron Kodesh, she proclaimed in a loud voice, “You are all witnesses before the Torah scrolls that I, Devorah Leah, daughter of Sterna, accept with a clear mind to exchange lives with my father, Shneur Zalman, son of Rikvah, that through my death there will be atonement.”
On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, the Alter Rebbe left his study in search of Devorah Leah. As he began to bless her with the customary blessing, “Leshanah Tovah,” she gently interrupted him with, “Father, Leshanah tovah tikatev v’tichatem.” When he finished his blessing, she pleaded, “Father, say no more.”
At the conclusion of Rosh Hashanah, the Alter Rebbe called Devorah Leah and her husband, Rabbi Sholom Shnacha. Rabbi Sholom broke down and asked, “What are we to do? Our son Menachem Mendel is so special, but still so young. He has just turned three.”
Devorah Leah made one final request: that after she passed away, her father personally involve himself in the studies of her only son. The Alter Rebbe reassured her and promised, “Your young son Menachem Mendel will be a nechama to me, a nechama to you, and a nechama to all of the Jewish people.”
On the 3rd of Tishrei, Devorah Leah suddenly fell ill and passed away. Her neshama left her body.
For the seven days of Shivah, Menachem Mendel recited Kaddish for his mother. On erev Yom Kippur, the Alter Rebbe went with his grandson to daven at Devorah Leah’s kever. There he declared, “Even greater are the righteous in their death than in their lives.” The power of blessings is even greater when the neshama departs than when it is confined within the body. He then asked, “Devorah Leah, bless your only son now, on the eve of Yom Kippur. Bless him that he become extraordinary in his knowledge of Torah and Chassidim, the hidden Torah, and good deeds. Please daven that HaShem have mercy on our Chassidim and the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov.”
On Yom Kippur, the 11th of Tishrei 5553, the Alter Rebbe arranged for a Chossid, Rabbi Avraham, to become Menachem Mendel’s personal teacher. That same day, he took his grandson and Rabbi Sholom Shnacha to his mother’s kever. “Mazel Tov,” said the Alter Rebbe. “Today we introduce the Torah to your son. May he enter the chuppah, L’maasim Tovim, and a very long life.”
The Alter Rebbe kept his promise and studied Torah daily with Menachem Mendel, who later became famous for his knowledge in all aspects of Torah. He became known as the “Tzemach Tzedek,” named after one of his masterful words. The Alter Rebbe arranged for Menachem Mendel’s bed to be placed in his private chambers, and from then on he slept peacefully beside his grandfather.
One night, Menachem Mendel cried in his sleep, “Mameh, Mameh, take me with you!” Devorah Leah appeared to him and reassured him, “No, my son. Sleep peacefully. Your zaidy is right beside you.”
She gave up her life to save her father’s. To do so, she relinquished the gift of life itself. Pause for a moment to fathom the immense spiritual strength required for such an act. She left behind her young son, still so much in need of her. Yet her legacy runs even deeper.
Devorah Leah understood the importance of her father’s teachings and the spreading of the inner dimension of the Torah. Through her self-sacrifice, the Chassidic movement continued and flourished.
Menachem Mendel grew to become one of the greatest Jewish leaders of his generation. After his uncle, Rabbi Dov Ber, passed away, he assumed the leadership of Chabad Chassidim and brought the movement to exceptional growth. His followers numbered over half a million, and he was deeply respected by both Chassidic and non-Chassidic Jews alike.
He fulfilled the mission for which his mother had sacrificed not only her life, but also the intimate bond only a mother can share with her child.
But what makes Jewish women so special?
Throughout history until today, Jewish women have demonstrated remarkable strength and courage in preserving Torah and resisting assimilation. While men learned Torah in the yeshivos, women brought Torah values into their homes.
Today, the Jewish woman who transforms her home into a place of Divine presence and serves HaShem in all she does is a true Eshes Chayil.
The Midrash teaches that just as HaShem gave us the Torah through the 22 letters of the Alef-Beis, so too He praises the Jewish woman with 22 verses.
Devorah Leah remains an inspiration to all women — for her strength, her emunah, and her love for the Jewish people. Her pure neshama continues to shine as a reminder of the power of faith, Torah, and self-sacrifice.
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Elisheva bas Chana – Celebrating the Heart of Yiddishkeit
Elisheva is a passionate voice for authentic Jewish life, blending Torah wisdom, mitzvos, and the timeless beauty of Yiddishkeit. Her writing shines a light on the strength and grace of Jewish women—from the legacy of Devorah Leah, daughter of the Alter Rebbe, to today’s women who live with faith, modesty, and purpose. Through her words, Elisheva celebrates Torah study, family purity, and radiant tznius, inspiring readers to embrace the joy, depth, and enduring spirit of Jewish tradition. Contact Elisheva.
