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To Wear is Human, To Live — Divine (Parashat Ki Teitze)

September 01, 2006 | By Rabbi Elliot Kukla, Rabbi Reuben Zellman

Topic(s): Transgender and Gender Identity

Media Type(s): Torah Commentary

This resource is part of the Torah Queeries collection.

The authors examine the verses of Torah forbidding gender cross-dressing, discussing some Rabbinic interpretations of these verses. They argue that these verses teach that we must not misrepresent our true gender in order to cause harm. When we try to conceal our uniqueness, we cause ourselves pain. And when we ask others to obscure themselves, we cause harm to them. The great majority of this Torah portion is concerned with the minute details of preventing harm.

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