Abortion
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Fetus vs. Newborn
In Mishpatim, 21:22, we are shown that if a man injures a pregnant woman and she miscarries the crime is treated as bodily harm to the woman and not murder of the fetus. The guilty party is to be fined…
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Abortion for Rape Victim
Under what conditions could a teenage victim of a rape be allowed an abortion? Answer: Thank you for your question. According to many Halachic [i.e. Jewish Law] experts, in a situation where a pregnancy poses an extreme hardship on the…
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Pro-Choice and Belief in G-d
Recently my granddaughter and wife were talking about the right to abortion and how they were afraid it would be overturned by a more conservative court. My wife yelled, “It’s my body and they have no right to tell me…
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Is a Fetus Alive?
Are children who are conceived and carried for approximately 9-15 weeks considered to have lived? If they are not carried to term, what happens to their soul? Are their names erased? Thank you for your question. Judaism is not the…
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Abortion of a Tay Sachs Child
If there is a case of a Tay Sachs baby, is it permissible to have an abortion, especially when both parents of the child agree the baby must be aborted? Answer: Any real question – meaning, someone is really considering…
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Abortion – Permitted?
I’m Jewish and against abortion. But, Jewish law teaches abortion is ok. How do I remain Jewish and reconcile Jewish law? This is what I got from another website: “Abortion: Jewish law not only permits, but in some circumstances requires…
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Halachic Sources on Abortion
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…
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When Abortion is Permitted
Does Jewish law permit abortion? Since life begins at conception, abortion isn’t permitted even at the early stages of pregnancy. However, it’s permitted to kill someone in self-defense. Jewish law therefore permits abortion if carring the child to term would…
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The Torah View on Abortion
What is the Torah view on abortion? Answer: The Torah holds human life to be of the utmost value; this applies also to fetal life. Hence abortion is basically forbidden. However, the Torah differentiates between born and unborn life, and…