Question
What are the Biblical, Talmudic, and halachic sources about abortion?
Answer
The Torah speaks in one place (Ex. 21:22-23) about accidental abortion. The Talmud discusses abortion in a few places: Mishnah Arachin 7:1 and Ohalos 7:6; Tosefta Gitin 3:13 and Bava Kama 6:6; Gemara Sanhedrin 72b. The material on the subject in the halachic literature (including the Shulchan Aruch) is widely scattered; extensive references can be found in vol. 2 of the Encyclopedia Hilchasis-Refuis, article on Hapalah, and in the collection Nishmas Avraham (medical halacha, arranged according to the Shulchan Aruch; see the index volume, under “Hapalah”.)
Best Regards,
Rabbi Azriel Schreiber