Odeya
Eshel

Odeya Eshel is a PhD candidate in the Department of Comparative Religion at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the supervision of Prof. Eviatar Shulman (The Hebrew University) and Prof. Charles Hallisey (Harvard University).

Odeya studies the sacred texts of the Buddhist Theravāda tradition, focusing on their literary aspect and on questions of formation and reception.

Her research reconsiders the relationship between the Pāli canon and its commentary and introduces the commentarial technique as a creative literary process integral to the formation of scriptures. Sensitive to the significance of overlooked narratives, her research suggests that scriptures emerge from a vibrant cultural dynamic and work to emotionally engage their audience. She thus wishes to enhance the understanding of scripture literature and the role of commentaries in it.

Odeya grew up in Jerusalem, where she currently lives with her husband and two sons. She received her BSW and BA in the Multidisciplinary Program in the Humanities and her MA in comparative religion from the Hebrew University. She spent several years learning Jewish scriptures in traditional institutions. Her love for Jewish scriptures not only influences her understanding of religious experiences but also enhances her sensitivity to the concept of sacred reading. In her free time, she enjoys reading Hebrew literature and poetry, and baking, especially sweet things.