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Question
Are transgender female welcome to Orthodox Judaism?
Answer
ב"ה Shalom, All Jews are welcome to Orthodox Judaism. However, if your question is if a transgender may convert to Judaism at all, this is an issue which is in dispute among contemporary Rabbis, while some allow it and some forbid such a conversion. If your question is if a person born a man, and then had gender reassignment and became a woman , the question poses a paradox for Orthodox Judaism. Orthodox Judaism, though it comes in different variants, doesn't just mean keeping Shabbat, holidays and keeping Kosher. It stands for adherence to Jewish law in all its aspects. Therefore, a transgender female who wants to live a life of Orthodox Judaism will face many challenges. Jewish law says that a person who goes through gender reassignment, remains at the original sex this person was born. Meaning a transgender woman is required to put on Tefillin, Tallit, pray with a Minyan. There is also the question where this person will pray in the Synagogue. Among the men ? Among the women? On the other hand, a transgender female cannot marry a man because she is still considered a man. A transgender female may not even touch another woman, because she is considered a man, but neither can she touch another man because of her feminine appearance. These are just a few examples of the many issues to deal with. I have seen many articles dealing with the Halachic ramifications of transgenders, but though I have tried in the last week, I have met no Rabbi who has actually dealt with this question in his community who could tell me of his experience in dealing with such a situation. Therefore in the practical sense, each community Rabbi will have to decide how to receive this person into their community. Therefore, my suggestion would be for this person to meet with the Rabbi and work out a way of integrating into the community. All the best
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