Redefining Gender and Sexuality in Judaism: Insights from Danya Ruttenberg

“Gender and Sexuality according to Danya Ruttenberg” Institutional Affiliation 30th March 2021 (a) “Gender and Sexuality according to Author Danya Ruttenberg” (b) 1 Introduction The scholar is resolute on how Judaism and transgender theory constructs gender and sexuality on different dimensions. The origin of Judaism made male superior and women inferior to the ritual system. Judaism has specific ritual system for menstrual process of women that mandates them to undergo cleansing in order to be considered pure and holy. The discussion is based on Judaism wanting to protect the history of their ritual system, mikveh while transgender theory is providing a different approach of escaping the system. The researcher is using experiential approach to discuss how Judaism can sustain their history with integrity and a better way of constructing gender/sexuality by supporting the argument with personal experiences and knowledge derived from books. (c) 2, 3, 4 The scholar view gender and sexuality as issues that should not be used by men and religion to oppress women. She criticizes the Judaism interpretation of gender and sexuality related to the traditions considered impure to the ritual system. Th