Please join us on Shabbat Mishpatim (February 21st) when we will welcome Dr. Channa Pinchasi, as our Friday Night Scholar.

Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat: 5:20 PM
Friday Night Kiddush: 6:20 PM
Dinner: 6:45 PM
Lecture: 8:30 PM

Yalta: On Gender, the Sages, & Skepticism

Yalta is a unique figure in Rabbinic literature. In scattered references in the Talmud we are introduced to a knowledgeable, distinguished woman who is a Torah scholar. A short story in Tractate Berahot sheds a somewhat confusing light on her personality: was Yalta a spoilt and peevish woman or rather a subversive character, through which Hazal, the Jewish sages of the Talmudic era (חז”ל), criticize themselves?

During the presentation Dr. Pinchasi will discuss various interpretations of the story, which will guide us between sceptical and anti-sceptical points of view. These interpretations will refer to the symbolic layers of the story and its context, to traditional and feminist commentaries, and to gender characteristics of the Hebrew language. All of these hermeneutical options will enable us to examine whether Yalta’s story should make us skeptical or hopeful as to Hazal’s attitude towards women.

The lecture is free and all are invited.

About Dr. Pinchasi

Dr. Channa Pinchasi is Director of the Be’eri School for Teacher Education at the Shalom Hartman Institute, and founded the Cheider Mishelach forum for influential female leaders in Tel Aviv. She received her doctorate in gender studies from Bar Ilan University. Dr. Pinchasi is a graduate of the Hartman Institute's Maskilot program, and has led and taught in various study groups at the pluralistic Beit Midrash Elul, which she was instrumental in founding. She is a fellow at Shacharit Think and Do Tank, and writes for news publications such as Makor Rishon, Yediot Aharonot, and Ynet. From 2001-2004, Dr. Pinchasi was the Jewish Agency's Canada education department representative. She is married to Gili and has two daughters and two sons.