Shabbat: Living in the World We Want to Build

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Dr. Lis Regula (he/him)

Lecturer in Biology, University of Dayton

Queer Jew

“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

As a Jewish trans man living in Ohio in 2025, I can find plenty to critique in the world today. Part of that is my ability to critique nearly anything—not necessarily to complain but to find ways to do better—and part of that is simply the state of our state right now for people like me. While I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not always comfortable with the regularity with which I hold mixed emotions, one of the things that attracts me to Judaism is the plurality that is embraced in our teachings. Life is complex, and I want to be with people who don’t shy away from complexity!

For example, some Jews view Shabbat as a cessation of labor and an act of creation. Each week, we step into a sacred pause, reflecting on the world we aspire to inhabit—a world of equality, dignity, and holiness. For transgender individuals and others who experience the world’s fractured realities, Shabbat becomes a radical act of affirmation, a glimpse of the harmony we are called to co-create with Hashem.

In the opening verses of Bereishit (Genesis), the Torah recounts the creation of the universe. On the seventh day, Hashem rested, blessing the day and making it holy. This divine rest was not a withdrawal from creation but an intentional act that allowed the fullness of creation to flourish. It was a day of completion and delight, a foretaste of the perfect world where every being exists fully as themselves, beloved and whole.

When we observe Shabbat, we mimic this divine rhythm. We are reminded that we, too, are co-creators with Hashem. During the week, we engage in melachot— constructive labor to shape the physical and societal world. On Shabbat, we step back to experience what we have built, envision the world we long for, and align our actions with that vision.

For transgender individuals, whose journeys often involve profound acts of self-creation and truth-telling, Shabbat offers a respite from the pressures of a world that may not yet fully reflect their inherent dignity. It is time to affirm the divine image within and rest in the knowledge that they are as Hashem intended—fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

The Talmud teaches that humans are partners with Hashem in creation (Shabbat 10a). We are not passive recipients of the world as it is; we are called to repair and transform it. This partnership is at the heart of my understanding of Shabbat. By refraining from labor, we acknowledge that the world’s ultimate repair depends not on our ceaseless activity but on our alignment with divine purpose.

For transgender people, this co-creative role resonates deeply. Many must navigate systems and norms that seek to define them, choosing instead to affirm the truth of who they are. This act of self-creation mirrors the divine act of bringing forth light from darkness and form from chaos. In living authentically, transgender individuals embody the Torah’s call to be holy, for Hashem is holy (Leviticus 19:2).

The rabbis of the Talmud describe Shabbat as me’ein olam haba, a taste of the world to come. On Shabbat, we live as if the world has already been redeemed. We set aside divisions of labor and hierarchy, gathering at the table as equals. We pause our striving, affirming that our worth is not tied to productivity but to our inherent sanctity as creations of Hashem.

For transgender individuals, this vision of redemption offers profound hope. In a world where identity is often contested, Shabbat declares that every person is welcome at the divine table. It is a space where the fullness of one’s identity can be celebrated, not questioned. Lest we forget, the Talmud includes eight genders, and that leaves plenty of room for trans people to find themselves in Judaism.

The kiddush prayer recited on Friday evening declares Shabbat a “reminder of the act of creation” (zecher l’ma’aseh bereishit) and a “reminder of the exodus from Egypt” (zecher l’yitziyat mitzrayim). These dual themes— creation and liberation—invite us to reflect on the world we are building. Are we creating systems that liberate or ones that oppress? Are we affirming the divine image in every person or perpetuating exclusion?

In the Talmud, Rabbi Yochanan teaches that the generation of the Messiah will be marked by transformation (Sanhedrin 98a). This transformation includes breaking down barriers and expanding our understanding of holiness. Transgender individuals, through their courage and authenticity, challenge the world to expand its definitions of identity and sanctity.

The journey of self-creation that many transgender people undertake is deeply aligned with the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, repairing the world. By living authentically, transgender individuals model what it means to co-create a world of justice and compassion.

One of the reasons I chose my synagogue in Columbus is that our tradition emphasizes Shabbat's inclusivity. All are welcome at the Shabbat table, and strangers and the marginalized are honored. This inclusivity reflects the divine vision of a world where every being has a place.

For transgender individuals and others who have been marginalized, Shabbat is a reminder that their presence is not only welcomed but essential. Just as each thread is necessary to complete a tapestry, each person’s unique identity contributes to the beauty of creation.

As the sun sets on Friday evening, we light the Shabbat candles, inviting peace and holiness into our homes.

These flames remind us that even in a world of brokenness, we carry the divine spark of creation within us.

For transgender individuals, Shabbat is an invitation to rest in their divinely created identity, dream of a world that affirms their dignity, and gather strength for the work of repair. Shabbat calls us to imagine and embody the world we want to build—a world of justice, compassion, and holiness.

May we enter this sacred time with hearts open to the divine vision of redemption, knowing that as co-creators with Hashem, we are part of bringing it to fruition.

Shabbat Shalom.

Reflection

How am I acting alongside Hashem to create a world that more fully represents all that I want it to be?

How am I taking time to appreciate the work that Hashem and I have done together?

Action

If you would like to join other folks helping to create an Ohio more in-line with our shared values of dignity, freedom, and equity, check out Ohio Equal Rights  (www.ohioequalrights.org) and their expansive amendment to the Ohio constitution.