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aderabaJewish Studies on the Contrary Author: Gilah Kletenik
Join co-hosts Rafe Neis and Gilah Kletenik as they explore big questions through a diverse range of Jewish texts, ideas, and cultures. The conversations are sometimes clarifying but always contrarian. Come for their uncommon insights, stay for their critical takes on the fields of Rabbinics, Classics, History, Philosophy, Critical Theory, and more! Language: en-us Genres: Judaism, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Have Trans People Always Existed? What Would the Rabbis Say?
Thursday, 4 September, 2025
In this episode of ADERABA, hosts Gilah Kletenik and Rafe Neis explore the question, 'Have Trans People Always Existed?' by examining rabbinic texts and different approaches to sexgender. They discuss the current attacks on trans people, especially youth, and the response from the trans community and their allies. The conversation examines a passage from the Tosefta, a 3rd century rabbinic text concerning the so-called "androgynous" person. It then turns to the Babylonian Talmud, a rabbinic text edited into the 8th century, to discuss Rabbi Yohanan and Resh Laqish and what a story about them tells us about gender identity in late antique Jewish culture. The hosts raise critical questions about the sexgender binary, arguing against a transhistorical, essentializing conception, which challenges the assumption that cis people have always existed.00:00 Introduction and Episode Premise00:26 Current Challenges for Trans People01:32 Historical Existence of Trans People03:38 Rabbinic Texts and Gender Diversity06:10 The Androgynous Figure in Rabbinic Literature08:49 Obligations and Entitlements of the Androgynous15:21 Philosophical Implications and Practical Questions23:48 Exploring Gender and Slavery in Rabbinic Texts25:04 Intersectionality in Jewish Law27:30 Economic and Social Classifications31:16 Challenging Binary Gender in Rabbinic Sources35:12 The Story of Rabbi Yohannan and Reish Laish42:26 Concluding Thoughts on Gender and Rabbinic Literature
