While non-binary, gender expansive, and transgender people are under in this country and others, it may be encouraging to learn that the ancient Jewish understanding of gender was far more nuanced than ours today. The Talmud, an ancient and authoritative Jewish commentary or religious teachings and traditions, contains no less than seven gender designations, including Male. Female.
Androgynous (having both male and female characteristics). There is a tumtum which is lacking sexual characteristics. There is a category for one identified as female at birth but does not develop secondary female characteristics in puberty, and a category for one identified as male at birth but does not develop secondary male characteristics in puberty. And finally, one born male but who does not develop secondary male characteristics in puberty due to being surgically altered (such as the Italian castrati who were castrated so they would keep their pre-pubescent high voices for singing). Male. Female. Someone who seems to have characteristics of both. Someone who utterly lacks clear gender characteristics.
People who develop differently from most. People who have been surgically altered. And that’s from ancient, religious commentary. One wonders if Jesus was already aware of these distinctions when he said some are eunuchs by birth, those who choose to be eunuchs for religious reasons (those who are celibate), and those who are “made” eunuchs (by being surgically altered).
Eunuchs were often seen as a third gender, and Jesus suggests that experience can be from birth and isn’t limited to physical alteration. In a time when Trans people are being relentlessly harassed and demonized, it is comforting to hear that Jesus and the Jewish community that nurtured him were approaching the question of gender with grace and wisdom long before our society ever existed.
