July 12, 2009 “Alan Dershowitz, American Jews, and the Religion of Liberalism”
By Lauri B. Regan
Many people have asked me to explain why 78% of American Jews voted for Obama when it was so clear that he would not support Israel.
Dershowitz’s article epitomizes the reason why.
Liberal Jews are liberals before they are Jews.
They are more concerned with the right to an abortion than they are with the survival of their homeland.
There is no place in the world where Jews will forever be welcome other than Israel.
I was shocked by the author’s statement. I thought, or had hoped that the majority of Jews were pro-life.Yet American Jews are so comfortable in this country that Israel is but a second thought, a lowly concern on the totem pole of “progressive” issues.
Great point.I was shocked by the author’s statement. I thought, or had hoped that the majority of Jews were pro-life.
But then again, what was the percentage of Catholics who also voted for Obama?
Elsewhere, I have read that Jewish teaching gives priority to the mother’s life. I don’t remember the argument, but it was well reasoned.7* then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
We’re veering off topic; however, both of these statements are correct and held by Orthodox Jews. The mother’s life takes precedence over her unborn child according to Jewish Law since the unborn child is not yet a fully formed living soul, as stated in Genesis. An Orthodox woman who is in imminent danger of losing her life if her baby is not aborted is required to have her pregnancy terminated. It is not regarded as an option. Nonetheless the decision must be agonizing for the mother. Abortion is otherwise not permitted in Orthodox Judaism, although in cases of incest and rape, it is considered permissible to terminate: so-called leniencies according to some rabbis, but not required. Abortion on demand, however, is strictly forbidden.I recently read an article by a rabbi in which he maintained that life begins at the first breath; that is when the soul is inserted in the body. He based his belief on Genesis 2:7
Elsewhere, I have read that Jewish teaching gives priority to the mother’s life. I don’t remember the argument, but it was well reasoned.
I don’t know how deeply either of these are in Jewish belief.
Thanks. I really appreciate your confirmation and additions, and corrections if necessary.We’re veering off topic; however, both of these statements are correct and held by Orthodox Jews. The mother’s life takes precedence over her unborn child according to Jewish Law since the unborn child is not yet a fully formed living soul, as stated in Genesis. An Orthodox woman who is in imminent danger of losing her life if her baby is not aborted is required to have her pregnancy terminated. It is not regarded as an option. Nonetheless the decision must be agonizing for the mother. Abortion is otherwise not permitted in Orthodox Judaism, although in cases of incest and rape, it is considered permissible to terminate: so-called leniencies according to some rabbis, but not required. Abortion on demand, however, is strictly forbidden.