What question did this study set out to answer?

The article examines the portrayal of female characters in a specific talmudic story, questioning traditional interpretations of their roles as outsiders.

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February 9, 2026

Female as Nature, Male as Culture? Rereading the Story of Ḥoma (b. Ketubbot 65a)

Key Points

The article examines the portrayal of female characters in a specific talmudic story, questioning traditional interpretations of their roles as outsiders.
Analyze the story of Ḥoma in the context of Raba's court
Conduct a close reading of the text to assess social conventions
Explore the cultural influences on and by the narrative
Reveals that female characters can challenge traditional norms rather than merely serve as subversive figures
Identifies the complex interplay of cultural contexts shaping gender perceptions in the tale
Demonstrates that the story reconfigures the understanding of gender dynamics.

Abstract

Abstract: Scholars typically describe female characters in talmudic tales as “others” or “outsiders.” Theirs are often considered opposing or subversive voices, a way to challenge social conventions, or as an otherness designed to affirm and strengthen the dominant rabbinic voice. The purpose of this article is to explore a story that challenges the assumption concerning the otherness of women, the story of Ḥoma in Raba’s court (b. Ketubbot 65a). A careful reading of the Ḥoma story while paying attention to its context will show that this question is dealt with in nearly every layer of the story. Throughout the story, the interweaving of interests and cultural contexts that influence and are influenced by this question are revealed, as well as the story’s surprising ability to rearrange the components of the gender equation.

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