Riley from Israel mailed us, saying she wanted a tattoo featuring the phrase “אשת חיל” (woman of valor) on her ribs. As she described, “My mom always said I came from “Women of Valor,” and it wasn’t until about a year ago, after getting more in touch with my Judaism over the last few years, that I discovered that this term was a title to a poem that is recited on Shabbat (אשת חיל). Since then, the poem has helped me further embrace the importance of femininity in the Jewish religion”

She initially came with the idea of a lotus flower, but after discussions, Gabriel suggested that a wheat stalk would be a better symbol. David explained Gabriel’s thought, “We should look for a plant that represents fertility in Jewish culture. A wheat stalk, one of the seven species, would be a beautiful symbol for your אשת חיל.” This concept not only aligns with Jewish cultural significance but also suits the natural flow of her ribcage, embodying growth, resilience, and continuity—perfectly representing the valorous woman Riley wishes to honor.