Yuval Dayan on Faith, Self-Worth, and Her Journey to Religious Observance

Israeli singer Yuval Dayan has spoken openly in recent years about her growing connection to Judaism and the spiritual journey that led her to become more observant.

Her religious growth has drawn considerable public attention, particularly after she declined to shake hands with former U.S. President Joe Biden because she observes shomer negiah, the Jewish practice of refraining from physical contact with members of the opposite gender.

In a recent conversation with Galit Gutman and Ilanit Levy on Israel’s Channel 12, Dayan reflected on what first drew her toward a more religious way of life and how her understanding of faith has evolved over time.

Fame, Fear, and the Search for Stability

Dayan became famous at a relatively young age, and she explained that the experience left her feeling unsettled and searching for a stronger sense of direction.

“The same fear that met me when I became famous at a young age made me look at the world in what you might call a childlike way, where things are black and white,” she said. “I wanted to be in a place that protects itself.”

She began thinking seriously about the kind of home and life she hoped to build.

“I wanted to establish a home and a family that would stay away from drugs, alcohol, and that whole world,” she said. “I started surrounding myself with content and values that spoke to me.”

At the time, she said, much of that process was driven by fear. “I was afraid it would go to my head. I was afraid because I didn’t know. I was afraid of being swept away.”

As the years passed however, her relationship with Judaism became less about fear and more about growth. “Along this path of becoming closer, or returning to religious observance, you learn as you move forward,” she said.

“I’m on a Journey”

Dayan explained that her understanding of religious life has changed significantly since the beginning of her spiritual journey.

“You learn that your place before God is not only about how many mitzvot I am going to keep,” she said. “It is about the fact that I am on a journey.”

She added that every stage brings new tools and a different level of understanding. “This week I was thinking about exactly that place,” she said. “At every stage, you new tools to work with. I have no regrets. I am moving forward.”

Her words reflect a view of faith not as a fixed destination, but as an ongoing process of learning, refinement, and spiritual development.

Her Dream of Building a Home

When asked about her dreams for the future, Dayan answered simply: she hopes to build a home and family.

“That is also a dream where you have to let go of your fears,” she said. “You have to be willing to find the right person and build a home. I hope that by the next holiday season I will have good news.”

Once again, she connected that hope to the need to move forward despite uncertainty.

Self-Worth Beyond Success

Dayan also spoke candidly about the pressure of living in a culture dominated by social media, where success is often measured through likes, shares, and public attention.

“Your self-worth does not depend on achievements,” she said. “Everyone is focused on shares and likes. I am not willing to play that game.”

She emphasized that her choice to distance herself from that mindset does not come from a desire to project a certain public image. “It is not from a place of formality,” she explained, “but from an inner place that wants to preserve the flame and not allow it to wear down.”

For Dayan, a person’s inner identity cannot be reduced to public approval or external definitions. “You cannot define a soul,” she said.

Choosing to Live Her Values Openly

Dayan noted that she grew up in a traditional Jewish home, but at a certain point she made a conscious decision to make her religious commitment more visible.

“I come from a traditional home,” she said. “I chose to step forward and say openly that I observe.”

Her journey, as she describes it, is not one of sudden transformation, but of gradual growth: learning to let go of fear, protect what matters to her, separate self-worth from achievement, and continue moving forward in her relationship with God.