Jewish law on Abortion

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jack_Bauer
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jack_Bauer

Guest
I thought that Jewish law prohibits abortion and all non-chemical forms of birth control. Why does this state what it does?

jewfaq.org/sex.htm
Abortion
Click to expand...
Jewish law not only permits, but in some circumstances requires abortion. Where the mother’s life is in jeopardy because of the unborn child, abortion is mandatory.
Click to expand...
An unborn child has the status of “potential human life” until the majority of the body has emerged from the mother. Potential human life is valuable, and may not be terminated casually, but it does not have as much value as a life in existence. The Talmud makes no bones about this: it says quite bluntly that if the fetus threatens the life of the mother, you cut it up within her body and remove it limb by limb if necessary, because its life is not as valuable as hers. But once the greater part of the body has emerged, you cannot take its life to save the mother’s, because you cannot choose between one human life and another
Click to expand...
.
 
Jack_Bauer said:
I thought that Jewish law prohibits abortion and all non-chemical forms of birth control. Why does this state what it does?

jewfaq.org/sex.htm

.
Click to expand...
This is correct: if the mother’s life is in imminent danger, her life takes precedence over that of her unborn child according to Jewish Law. To jeopardize the mother’s life is not allowed, and the abortion is required, not merely permitted. This rule is based on Torah teaching from Genesis, which describes the creation of Adam (as well as one or two other Scriptural passages), stating that his soul was infused by G-d after the creation of his body to form a complete human being. The definition of what constitutes a human being is not based on medicine, philosophy, or other religious beliefs; it is based solely on Hebrew Scripture.
 
Jack_Bauer said:
I thought that Jewish law prohibits abortion and all non-chemical forms of birth control. Why does this state what it does?

jewfaq.org/sex.htm

.
Click to expand...
You were previously misinformed. You are also wrong about the birth control: it’s the exact opposite. Withdrawal and condoms are not allowed. The Pill/ IUD / patch/ implant are allowed. Withdrawal and condoms alter the sexual act, amounting to wasting seed. I’m sure you know about Onan. Using hormonal/chemical contraceptive methods do not change the act. Seed is not wasted.
I don’t think they can just use birth control or get abortions whenever they want, for whatever reason. It has to be like, the woman’s health is at risk and there are a few other scenarios I think, like if she currently has a child under 2 years old. (but don’t quote me on that.)
They also have an interesting view on sterilization: vasectomies are a definite no, but female sterilization is more com
 
Jack_Bauer said:
I thought that Jewish law prohibits abortion and all non-chemical forms of birth control. Why does this state what it does?

jewfaq.org/sex.htm
Click to expand...
What meltzerboy said. Also you are wrong about the birth control thing. Withdrawal and condoms are forbidden bc they “waste seed.” But the Pill and IUD are allowed bc they do no alter the act. (Semen still goes where it’s supposed to.) I don’t think they are allowed to just use it whenever they want for whatever reason, it is something they are supposed to talk to their rabbi about and really contemplate. Health reasons to avoid pregnancy is fine. Other reasons need more consideration but usually okay I think.

One important thing you should know: Jewish couples are expected to have at least one boy and at least one girl (Yevamot 61b). So this is something that must be taken into consideration too.
 
Oh whoops just realized you did say you thought non-chemical bc was not allowed so you were not misinformed on that part. :doh2:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top