Lesson for the Week (When does life begin?)

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

Toledot (Genesis 25:19–28:9)

This week Jews will read Toledot on our annual progression through the Torah. The section begins with a depiction of Rebecca's pregnancy which certainly must be the most difficult one in the entire Bible.

Did G-d give Rebecca the right to "choose"?

The life struggle of Jacob/Israel with his twin, Esau, is described from his time in Rebecca's womb. It continues for the much of the rest of the book of Genesis. The struggle wasn't interrupted for even the moment of birth.

Who can read this portion and suggest that "life" begins at birth?

ML/NJ

[stylin19a]

the kids leave, the dog dies...that’s when life begins.

[big bad easter bunny]

With a glass of wine!

[ml/nj]

ping

[ml/nj]

With a glass of wine! / the kids leave, the dog dies

It's too bad you folks see this as something to joke about.

ML/NJ

[peggybac]

Why do you type “G-d” and not “God”?

[big bad easter bunny]

Maybe if we start talking about how we get pregnant, we can get some to see eye to eye.

[ml/nj]

Why do you type “G-d”

Because I know some people who feel that it is wrong to spell it out on something that is transitory or intended for destruction. I see no problem with accommodating them and others who feel as they do.

ML/NJ

[peggybac]

Thanks.

[C210N]

Its kind of unfortunate that mankind has gotten into the habit of counting time from birth. Might be a different story if we could say that babies were born when they were 9 months old.

[phrogphlyer]

You had to know that posting this on a Saturday night would get you some less-than-serious comments. But to answer your question:

I can’t prove that life begins at conception, but I know from personal experience that it begins before birth. I’ve been taught for years to always “err on the side of caution,” and using that logic, I’d much rather save a few lifeless cells than risk hurting an innocent human being.

[MHGinTN]

I once asked a doctor whether the mother or the baby makes the placental organ. To his credit, he paused long enough for a light to come on in his scientist brain. He is now adamantly pro-life since he knows the life of at least one individual begins with a single cell called zygote. [Incidentally, that placenta is the first organ the newly conceived human /mammal constructs for its own survival while in the water world of the womb. That organ is discarded when the water world dweller exits into the air world.]

[MHGinTN]

BTW! Don’t Koreans count the age of the child from conception rather than birth?

[org.whodat]

the kids leave, the dog dies...that’s when life begins.

You left out the fireplace and bear skin rug, LOL

[Brad's Gramma]

Life begins at conception........BTTT!!!!!!!

[SaltyJoe]

The beginning of life is so delicate and mysterious that the very act of procreation must be protectively shrouded with both a mystical and physical vow of lifelong and faithful devotion between one man and one woman prior to engaging in the sexual act.

[exit82]

What you said!!! I wholeheartedly agree with.

How can it begin at any other time?

[Revolting cat!]

(When does life begin?)

Why, when you sign up for Free Republic!

[Brad's Gramma]

How can it begin at any other time?

Ya got me as to how others can think otherwise.....!!!

[MHGinTN]

Some try to use the argument of twinning, to negate that conception is the beginning of individual life. Freeper Syriacus set that one to rest years ago.

[syriacus]

Hi, MHGinTN! I hope you are well.

[MHGinTN]

Doin’ just fine, thanks be to God.

[Just mythoughts]

The life struggle of Jacob/Israel with his twin, Esau, is described from his time in Rebecca's womb. It continues for the much of the rest of the book of Genesis. The struggle wasn't interrupted for even the moment of birth.

That struggle continues even to this day.

Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

verse 2 "I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, "Wherein hast Thou loved us?' Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD; yet I loved Jacob,

verse 3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

For informational purposes NOT to offend Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:13...Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to *election* might stand, not of works, but of Him That calleth;)

verse 12 (quoting Genesis 25:23) It was said unto her, "The elder shall serve the younger."

verse 13 (quoting Malachi 1:2&3) As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."

Jeremiah 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

verse 5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

Even in Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (means soul); and man became a living soul.

Scripture does not give the specific time when all 'souls' were created, however, with just these few scriptures I have noted it seems clear that the *soul* has a history prior to this flesh age which is why God would and could say that He loved Jacob and hated Esau before they were ever born into flesh bodies.

[Dov in Houston]

An old joke

There are some that believe life begins at conception

And there are some the believe life begins at birth

And there are some that believe life begins when the child finishes medical school

[Dov in Houston]

ml/nj

You got freepmail

[Zionist Conspirator]

Thanks for the ping.