Podcast Hosts Discuss Post-Holiday Rut and Religious Trends
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Podcast hosts Hedar Ben Hamu and Ortal Barzilai of "These Religious Women" discussed the post-holiday return to routine, the emotional impact of the war on religious observances, and evolving trends in modesty and women's roles. They shared personal reflections on Sukkot, Yom Kippur prayers, and Simchat Torah, highlighting generational differences in approaching Jewish law and tradition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Podcast hosts discussed the lingering trauma of the October 7th attacks affecting holiday observances.
- Hosts expressed fatigue with the length of Sukkot and the perceived exclusion of women from Simchat Torah.
- One host found spiritual connection in Yemenite Yom Kippur prayers, while another found humor in Moroccan synagogue singing.
- The hosts critiqued the expensive headscarf industry and the pressure for personal grooming trends.
- They noted a generational shift towards a more flexible dialogue with Jewish law.
Following the High Holidays and elections, hosts of the "These Religious Women" podcast on Srugim, Hedar Ben Hamu and Ortal Barzilai, reflected on the return to routine and various trends within religious society. They addressed the length of the Sukkot holiday, with Barzilai stating, "Sukkot is too much, two days of Chol HaMoed are fine, three at the most, a whole week is not necessary." Both hosts noted the lingering trauma from the October 7th attacks, which cast a shadow over the recent holidays, with Barzilai adding that the return of hostages on Simchat Torah was the only joyous aspect of the past year's holiday.
During their discussion of Yom Kippur, Ben Hamu shared a profound spiritual connection to the prayers in the Yemenite minyan, particularly the "Oked VeHaNekad VeHaMizbe'ach" piyut, which reminded her of fallen soldiers. In contrast, Barzilai described a humorous experience during the "Anafenu" prayer in the Moroccan synagogue, where the enthusiastic, off-key singing felt like a "comic relief" that made her laugh.
The hosts also explored the role of women during the holidays. Barzilai expressed frustration with women's lack of obligation in Sukkot rituals despite performing most of the work, and her feeling of exclusion from the Simchat Torah dancing, where women are often left to supervise children and snacks. Ben Hamu countered with positive memories of women's dancing circles at Midreshet HaRova, emphasizing a spiritual and feminine connection.
Addressing personal grooming and modesty, the hosts voiced fatigue with the expensive and trendy headscarf industry. Ben Hamu stated, "This industry and the expensive trends, enough, sometimes I want to leave the house like I did when I was single, with a straightened fringe and three clips." They discussed the generational shift, noting that younger generations engage in a more flexible dialogue with Halakha (Jewish law) compared to their parents' generation, who viewed it as a rigid, unchangeable decree.
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