"She stretches her hands out to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle"
distaff
This is the Hebrew word kishor, which means distaff. The Websters English Dictionary defines distaff in two ways: one, as the woman's role within the home and, two, specifically the rod with the various wool or flax used for spinning.
Some have seen this as a mandate for sewing clothing, but this would not seem to be in keeping with the general descriptions and directions of this proverb. It would seem more consistent to see the distaff and the spindle as a full embrace of the female role in the home. There is no shirking of her role but a glad embrace of this unique and crucial role in the home. It involves making sure that the children are clothed well. It involves trying to make sure that the family saves money wherever possible. It involves hard work to make the proper things so that the family can thrive.
The virtuous woman embraces the female role in marriage and family. She finds herself throwing herself into it and not just doing a half-way job while she tries to get to stuff that she likes or tries to get out of the domestic role in the family.
We need to rise up as a collective group and honor women who embrace all that the female role involves in the home. I know that I cannot praise my wife enough for all that she does to make all of our lives possible. There would not be the level of security, love, stability, companionship, enjoyment, cleanliness, order, and good will coming from our family if not for her.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz