Inspired by this question: Prayer for changing name for transgender reasons?
While the subject of transgender individuals has been discussed, I was wondering if it is possible, from a hashkafic sense, for someone to receive an opposite-gendered soul? When I say an opposite-gendered soul, I am talking about someone who has a male body and female soul, or vice-versa.
If so, how is this idea discussed?
The Zohar writes that the Patriarch Yitzchok had the soul of a female (Pikudei 257a). The Seder HaDoros (Elef HaRishon) says that it was the soul of Chava.
Kaf Hachaim Orach Chaim 38:9 says that Michal bas Shaul had a male Neshama.
Haichal Habracha - Bamidbar 27:7 says that the Bnos Tzelafchad had male Neshamos.
The Ashel Avraham (Pri Migadim 23:2 ) writes that one should not wear tzitzs out next to a kever of a child because maybe his neshama is that of a gadol. He also mentions that in a case of a woman it seems that there is no concept of loeg lerash since a woman is not obligated in tzitzs in their life time. He adds by saying that we are not worried that a womans neshma was that of a man . It seems like there is such a concept, yet rare . See Shar Hagigulim as well.
As per the poster's agreement to accept cases of transgender teva, nature, I will quote a couple of sources concerning Yosef and Dina.
The Pirush HaRadal on the Pirkei Drav Eliezer chapter 38 #4 says that Dina who was switched from a male to a female through Leah's prayers retained some of her male nature and that's what led her to leave the house and go outside.
This same idea of the aftereffects of the prayer for gender switching is mentioned by Reb Yaakov Kaminetsky in his Emes Liyaakov in parshas Vayeitzei chapter 30 verse 21. He quotes Rashi that Leah prayed to have her fetus become a female and adds but they did not change completely, for we find Yosef fixing his hair, 37 2, 39 6. And we find Dina being someone who goes out, 34 1.
I'm pretty sure the Shlah writes something similar, But I don't know where offhand.
