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265: ANDROGINOS
(HERMAPHRODITE)
– DEFINITION AND
S TAT U S

ɳ Question

I made Yossi’s acquaintance thirty years ago, when I was a junior
physician. It became clear to us back then that Yossi, who looks
like a male of short stature, is genetically speaking a female (64 xx
chromosomes). He was raised and educated as a male because his
organ of gender although small is like that of a male, as is his testic-
ular sac, though of course it lacks testicles. Because knowledge was
lacking forty years ago, the internal female organs were removed from
his body. Following years of enjoying a good relationship with him,
Yossi is aware of his situation. Although he cannot function as a male,
with the help of testosterone injections, in the bathhouse, he has the
appearance of a short-statured man.

Recently, since finding out that he is genetically female, he is both-
ered by the question of whether he can still be counted for a minyan.
[He has been joining minyanim to date, since the public is completely
unaware that there is any problem]. I promised him to ask how the
Torah views his situation and find out whether he is acting properly.

Prof. Y. Zak, Head of the Department
of Pediatrics, Tel Hashomer Hospital

The Hermaphrodit 2 155