TransTexts: Exploring Gender in Jewish Sacred Texts

Over several years, we have heard the stories of hundreds of people—people from many different backgrounds, Jews and non-Jews, across the sex and gender spectrum. Many of us are in search of answers to some critical questions: how can Jewish texts continue to shed light on contemporary lives and spiritual struggles? As our understandings about sex and gender continue to develop and change in today’s world, how might ancient teachings guide us in our response? If I want to explore Jewish understandings of gender and sexual identity where do I begin?

We offer this guide as a starting point. It will continue to grow as we post more texts on such topics as:

Queerly Created
This module examines the creation of humanity in Jewish sacred texts from the Bible until today. We have brought together commentaries that explore many surprising possibilities for the gender and sex of the first human being.

Cross-Dressing and Drag
This module explores a wide variety of texts and opinions on cross-dressing and drag, from classical Jewish legal tradition and modern sources alike.

Created Beings of Our Own
Jewish classical texts identify at least four sexes: male, female, the tumtum and the androgynos. This module explores Jewish genders beyond male and female, and their implications for contemporary gender diversity.

Click here to access Transtexts

TransRespect 101