Saris (Judaism) - Wikiwand

In Jewish tradition, the term saris (Hebrew: סָרִיס, literally eunuch) is a term used to refer to an individual assigned male at birth who has done one of the following:

developed female characteristics;

failed to reach sexual maturity by 20 years old, signified by bringing forth two pubic hairs;^[1]^[2]

undergone castration.

In traditional Judaism, gender plays a central role in legal obligations, such as mitzvah. Thus, the gender identities of the Talmud (including androgynos, tumtum, and ay'lonit) were created to fit into their legal system.

A saris who, naturally, did not undergo typical male puberty is referred to as saris hamah (Hebrew: סריס חמה ).^[3]^[4] Those affected by human intervention (whether accidental or intentional) are referred to as saris adam (Hebrew: סריס אדם). While it may have been a common practice in neighboring cultures, the Ancient Hebrews did not practice castration.

Examples

Marriage

References

↑ Mishnah Niddah 5:9: בַּת עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיאָה שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, תָּבִיא רְאָיָה שֶׁהִיא בַת עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, וְהִיא אַיְלוֹנִית, לֹא חוֹלֶצֶת וְלֹא מִתְיַבֶּמֶת. בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת, יָבִיא רְאָיָה שֶׁהוּא בֶן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, וְהוּא סָרִיס, לֹא חוֹלֵץ וְלֹא מְיַבֵּם, אֵלּוּ דִּבְרֵי בֵית הִלֵּל. בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים, זֶה וָזֶה בְּנֵי שְׁמֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, הַזָּכָר כְּדִבְרֵי בֵית הִלֵּל, וְהַנְּקֵבָה כְּדִבְרֵי בֵית שַׁמַּאי, שֶׁהָאִשָּׁה מְמַהֶרֶת לָבֹא לִפְנֵי הָאִישׁ: If a woman at the age of twenty did not bring forth two hairs, she must bring evidence that she is twenty years of age and she is an aylonit, she doesn't perform halitzah or yibbum. If a man at the age of twenty years did not produce two hairs, he must bring evidence that he is twenty years old and he becomes confirmed as a saris and he doesn't perform halitzah or yibbum, the words of Bet Hillel. Bet Shammai says: with both of them at the age of eighteen. Rabbi Eliezer says: In the case of the male, according to the words of Bet Hillel, while in that of the female, in accordance with the words of Bet Shammai, since a woman matures earlier than a man. https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Niddah.5.9
↑ Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 55:5: אם לא הביא שתי שערות אפילו הוא גדול בשנים דינו כקטן עד שיצאו רוב שנותיו שאז יתברר שהוא סריס אם נראו לו סימני סריס קודם לכן דינו כגדול: הגה ומיהו אין מדקדקין בשערות אלא כל שהגיע לכלל שנותיו מחזקינן אותו כגדול ואומרים לענין זה מסתמא הביא שתי שערות [מהרי"ק שורש מ"ט]: If he does not have 2 [pubic] hairs, even if he is old enough in years, his status is like a minor, until the majority of his years have gone by (ie. he becomes much older (35 and one day-M.B))... for then it is apparent that he is a saris (ie. a male with no signs of puberty). If there are signs that he is a saris before this, he is treated as an adult. Rem"a: However, we are not particular regarding hairs; rather, all who have arrived at the required number of years, we presume that he is like an adult and we say regarding this matter, that it is probable that he has brought out two hairs [Maharik Shoresh 49]. https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.55.5
↑ "Six Sexes of the Talmud". Sefaria. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
↑ "More Than Just Male and Female: The Six Genders in Classical Judaism". SOJOURN. 2016-03-16. Archived from the original on 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
↑ (Yevamot 76a:1)
↑ (Otzar Ha-poskim 5:2)

Related Articles