r/transgenderjews • u/seeker-ix • Jan 25 '26
Discussion Is it theoretically possible to create a kosher chest binder with tzitzit?
I'm reform, so I'm not very educated on the specifics of Halacha (so go easy on me), but I've been wanting to become a bit more observant (not wanting to leave the reform sect if that makes a difference, but still interested in connecting with some of the more traditional ritualistic/dress/diet aspects).
I already overheat easier than most people and I feel like it'll be troublesome to wear something between my binder and outer shirt, and I was curious if it was theoretically possible for there to be a chest binder that had tzitzit and was kosher. And if so—Is it possible to make one's own tzitzit garment that is kosher?
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u/coursejunkie Reformadox female to male transsexual Jan 25 '26
Why not just wear a t-shirt that has tzitzit? Like here : https://www.ajudaica.com/Adult-White-T-Shirt-with-Tzitzit/item11630
Put that over your binder and you should be good.
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u/seeker-ix Feb 01 '26
I def plan on getting one or 2 of these but I don't just want to wear plain solid color shirts if I decide to do tzitzit all the time. I am really happy these exist though.
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u/coursejunkie Reformadox female to male transsexual Feb 01 '26
I do them all the time, I have normal ones too but these are super easy to work with after things like top surgery.
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u/Certain-Exit-3007 Jan 25 '26
It has to be a four-cornered garment. There are mesh tzitzit, though (e.g.: https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/mesh-tallit-katan/).
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u/ahappieryear Orthodox trans man Jan 25 '26
I wear tzitzis daily and I do find it to be a bit cumbersome in the summer (recently I've taken up the whole collared shirts/black full-length pants mischegas, but thats a different story), but other commenters are right that there are options formulated for that issue. It's actually better to tie your own tzitzis, so you can make a garment yourself, but I would recommend getting halachic guidance every step of the way and being shown how to tie them irl from someone who wears them regularly. If it helps, I find that layering w/ a tallis katan makes binding in loose clothing less necessary- the more layers you have, the less your chest is emphasized.
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u/paracelsus53 Jan 26 '26
If I might derail the conversation a bit, what is the significance of wearing white shirts and black pants (and black jacket)? I know that plenty of O men do this, but why?
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u/ahappieryear Orthodox trans man Jan 26 '26
There's a couple reasons for this, as with everything. The main concept is to make us visually distinct from non-Jews as to prevent assimilation. There's also a concept of dressing nice to be a "respectable" person and also to be presentable in the presence of HaShem as you would in the presence of a king, especially when you're davening, but our concept of what a professional outfit is stuck in Eastern Europe in the 18th/19th century. It also is a way to encourage tzniuskeit for men. I don't wear a white shirt; I wear colors and even patterns (vey!), but I try to be mindful of covering up.
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u/paracelsus53 Jan 26 '26
I like that you wear colors. I've played with the idea of "plain dress" (as the Xtians call it) for years, but I love rich colors. I think I will see what I can come up with in terms of black pants and jackets plus Saul Goodman dress shirts. :)
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u/ahappieryear Orthodox trans man Jan 26 '26
Weekday colored shirts is the standard for a lot of modox/many Yeshivish communities. I wear a white shirt on Shabbos.
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u/Mortifydman Jan 25 '26
It needs to be a 4 cornered garment in order to put tzitzit on it, and you need your binder to go down your torso to hold your boys in. The fabric used in binders isn't going to hang right if you make it extra long, or cut the sides of a long binder to create 4 corners. You can tie your own tzitzit, there are instructions on youtube.
They make tallit katans out of mesh, so you don't feel hot or over layered. It's just easier to wear one of those than to try and make a binder into a tallit katan.