Deuteronomy 22:5

 

דברים כב:ה

Original Text:

לֹא-יִהְיֶה כְלִי-גֶבֶר עַל-אִשָּׁה, וְלֹא-יִלְבַּשׁ גֶּבֶר שִׂמְלַת אִשָּׁה: כִּי תוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, כָּל-עֹשֵׂה אֵלֶּה.

Translation:

A woman may not dress in a man’s apparel, nor shall a man wear women’s clothing; for doing these things is abhorrent to the Lord your God.
[Translation Rabbi Steve Greenberg]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. Rashi thinks that cross dressing is a ploy used by a potential adulterer to gain easy access. Ramban and Rashbam both think think that the cross-dressing male is planning a tryst with a woman and using dress up can help him stand out i a crowd. Which do you thinks make more sense?
2. Sexual intent for cross-dressers seems the be the problem in BT Nazir 59a. What does this demonstrate?

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Comments on this Text

For relevant context, see Greenberg, Steven, Wrestling With God & Men, 176.