Q. Does one who lost his wife sing Eishes Chail on Friday night?
A. Aliva Dehilchesa (year 71) quotes some Talmidei Hachamim that would point to their spouses when singing Eishes Chail. Horav Chaim Kanievzky Shlit’a is quoted as commenting that if she fills the description, it can be done.
However, Shelah, Ya’avetz, Kaf Hachaim (262: 8) abd others maintain that it is a reference to the Shechina.
In different Yeshivos it is also recited by unmarried youngsters.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a