Episode Notes
What is the purpose of a trans life? As the kinds of embodied trans futures we were promised become harder to imagine, Lexi speaks about the role bodily changes have to play in a spiritual gender transition. Just like the Tabernacle was only as physical as necessary to contain the Presence of God, so too the vessels for Presence that are our bodies must keep the spirituality greater.
The key source in this episode is the Maor vaShemesh on Parshas Vayakhel. We’ve also got two midrashim, one from Shemos Rabbah 34:1 and the other from Chagigah 12a, plus Erin In the Morning and the Human Rights Campaign’s coverage of the House budget’s provisions to defund and disqualify gender affirming care from insurance coverage.
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45:15
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S1E2 - Biology and Truth
The Arrogant Kingdom’s executive order writing trans people out of existence decrees there is such a thing as “biological truth.” Okay, darlings, so let’s talk about biology and truth. The truth of the body is linked with the mystery of the purpose of Creation, and it all centers around what it means to build a dwelling place for the Presence of God.
Sources brought in this episode: the Maor vaShemesh on Parshas Terumah, reporting from Erin In the Morning on the University of Cincinnati's “biological” bathroom signs, Lexi’s Gashmius essay “A Lesson from God in Trans Visibility,” Jennifer Finney Boylan on Shania Twain’s Man, I Feel Like a Woman! and the shadows of a section from Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble that didn’t quite make the final cut.
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45:12
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S1E1 - Life and Death
Darlings, we need to talk about life and death. In preemptive compliance with the executive orders of the Arrogant Kingdom, New York City hospitals stopped providing care to trans youth. Lexi brings us wisdom from the Maor vaShemesh and Meor Eynayim, both Chassidic rebbes, to light our way to survival through this assault on trans rights.
Also brought in this episode: Jennifer Finney Boylan on telling our stories, the mitzvah of gender transition, and Ezra Furman on the need for all our voices.
Torah for Trans Lives is a Torah Studio podcast, written, produced and performed by Lexi Kohanski. Our volunteer editor is Austin Coulson. Our graphic is “Rivka and Yitzchak” by Rena Yehuda Newman. Our title music is “Lekhabot et haAhavah” by Rabbi Noam Lerman.
In the shadow of persecution, a podcast of Jewish and other wisdom for our spiritual survival. Trans thought leader Lexi Kohanski delivers her sermon-style takes on how we can make it through one of the worst outbursts of transphobia the world has ever known. Each episode Lexi serves you a blend of politics, queerness, and spirituality, mysticism and the moment. This is Torah for Trans Lives.
Torah for Trans Lives is a Torah Studio podcast, written, produced and performed by Lexi Kohanski. Our volunteer editor is Austin Coulson. Our graphic is “Rivka and Yitzchak” by Rena Yehuda Newman. Our title music is “Lekhabot et haAhavah” by Rabbi Noam Lerman. I’m so glad you’ve listened.
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