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284: SURGERY TO CHANGE
A MAN’S GENDER,
TO PREVENT HIM
COMMITTING SUICIDE

ɳ Question

As the director of psychiatry in a hospital, I would like to ask: Is a
man allowed to change the structure of his body [surgically and/
or through hormonal treatment] with the intention of changing his
gender, in this case from male to female?

The question has arisen as the result of young men approaching
the hospital management demanding that they perform the afore-
mentioned surgery. One recent case involved a man who had grown
his hair and nails like a woman’s and who asked that we consent and
treat him, threatening to commit suicide if we would not do as he
asked. It should be pointed out that this young man already attempt-
ed suicide once. [Physically, hormonally and genetically he is a male
in all respects.]

Prof. Yosef Tzvi Hass, Head of Psychi-
atric Services, Ichilov Medical Center,
Tel Aviv

ɳ Response

Several issues need to be considered here:
1. Is carrying out sex change surgery, which alters a male’s
body to make it appear female, a sin?

414 1 Medical-Halachic Responsa of Rav Zilberstein