Reclaiming Sacred Texts (with Chaya Gilboa)

 Chaya Gilboa, a Talmud scholar and activist who grew up in an ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem, shares her journey of reclaiming Jewish texts that women were traditionally forbidden to study. The conversation explores the intersection of spirituality, embodiment, and challenging patriarchal systems, as well as how ancient wisdom can provide comfort during times of crisis.

Key Topics:

• Chaya's experience studying Talmud as a revolutionary act
• The emotional and spiritual dimensions of reclaiming religious texts
• Integrating body and mind in spiritual and intellectual practice
• Creating new approaches to ancient texts during crisis and war
• Balancing calling, career, and family life

Notable Quotes:

• "I was pushed out of the door and I looked for the window to go back in."
• "I couldn't breathe. I needed to take walks at Ben Gurion University because my body was not even excited, I was uplifted in ways that I didn't even know knowledge could uplift me."
• "For many years, growing up, I didn't really know my body. We never talked about the body - the body was something that either you are ashamed of or you need to cover."
• "I'm 41 and it's the first time in my life that I'm in sync with what I love to do, what I'm passionate about, what I'm good at, and what I think the world needs."

Chaya's Powerful Question: "What am I chasing after, and what am I running from?"

Resources Mentioned:

Chaya’s beautiful website

Follow Chaya on Instagram: @chayagilboa