Our Talmud is filled with fascinating conversations and stories from the early Rabbis. But, in a text so dominated by men, where do we find our ancient heroines? When we do meet them, what can we learn from their stories? How can they inspire us and deepen our relationships with tradition?
Watch two past class recordings – with Rodef Shalom Pittsburgh!
Let’s learn the legends of:
Bruriah – one of the most exemplary scholars in all Talmud
Yalta – who refused to be slighted, especially in her own home
Queen Hilni – after she converted, she liked to do Judaism BIG! A sukkah more than 20 cubits tall and a massive disco ball to reflect the morning sun in Jerusalem
The Maidservant of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi – spoke in riddles and taught the sages obscure words. In a heart-wrenching narrative, she helps Rabbi pass into death~
Witches in Talmud – The sages taught that most women were familiar with or even practiced witchcraft! Are their tales of magic incense and calling on demons real and ready to emulate? or pure misogyny?
Lesbians in Talmud – learn all about women who מְסוֹלְלוֹת mih’soh’lih’loht with each other, a most beautiful word for lesbian love with meanings ranging from: swinging, being light, bounding, sporting, and braiding hair!
The Two Miriams and the Angel of Death – illustrated by Barbara “Willy” Mendes below! What happens when the Angel of Death gets mixed up between Miriam the Hairdresser & Miriam the Teacher? (Both known as Miriam M’gadla!) Is one of these Miriams secretly Mary Magdalene from the Christian Gospels?
The Professional Mourning Women of Shechantziv – Looking for Talmudic Poetry? Explore these cryptic messages, with an emphasis on the *crypt*!
Marta – The Richest Woman in Jerusalem, when it was sacked by the Romans in 70CE
And finally answer the question, “Does the Talmud Pass the Bechdel Test?”
“The Two Miriams and the Angel of Death” (Chagigah 4b-5a) by Barbara “Willy” Mendes, icon of the 1970’s underground comics scene. In black pen & marker line illustration, Hairdresser & Teacher Miriam share the foreground, as a menacing, long fingered femme Angel of Death arises in a burst of shadow.
I am proud to have an entry in the most niche cookbook of all time: “Feeding Women of the Talmud, Feeding Ourselves – Uplifting the voices of Talmudic Heroines and honoring them with Simple, Vegan Recipes“ assembled and edited by Kenden Alfond, the Jewish Food Hero. Pictured is the cover, with title is in a circle in the center, with desserts in each of four quadrants around it.
Talmud Magic with Olivia Devorah 