Abortion: A Jewish Perspective on a Passionate Issue

American Thinker.com ^ | May 12, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Barclay

[joma89]

Let me guess, this article is 5000+ jumbled words that argues the Talmud says it is ok...sometimes...to murder children.

Am I right?

[Guenevere]

You are spot on!

[Telepathic Intruder]

"One of these secrets is “ensoulment”: at what point does the soul enter the body?"

It is something that science can't tell us. When brain activity begins? But since there is no way to know for certain, my position is this: considering the level of importance, why take the chance? Assuming life begins at conception involves no risk. Assuming it begins later does.

[Houserino]

Judaism considers the unborn a ‘part of the mother’ until birth, so it can be done with as pleased.

That’s just how it is.

[Ann Archy]

DEMONIC to MURDER YOUR CHILDREN.....DEMONIC!

[CatHerd]

No, it says that it is only permitted to save the life of the mother.

Even the Catholic Church makes such an exception, for example, ectopic pregnancy. In such a case, the fertilized egg cannot survive outside the uterus but can cause severe internal bleeding resulting in death. Both lives cannot be saved, so the correct moral choice is to save the life that can be spared, that of the mother.

[CatHerd]

You obviously did not read the entire article. Yes, I know, FR tradition. ;)

[Ann Archy]

What if a woman cuts off her LEG, or her ARM, or any other part of her body?? She would be taken to a MENTAL INSTITUTION!!

[CatHerd]

While it does say the unborn child is considered a “limb of the mother” it also says it may not be harmed unless the life of the mother is endangered, in the same way a limb should not be amputated unless it is required to save the person’s life.

[Houserino]

I’m just talking about Talmud interpretation. Take it up with the rabbis, not me.

[CatHerd]

See my #10 or read the entire article.

[Ann Archy]

Thanks, Newbie!!

[Houserino]

I know many orthodox Jews, and the ‘limb of the mother’ believe outweighs their life parts. That’s just on the Jews I know.

[CatHerd]

Then what the article says and your interpretation of your friends’ views differs. Perhaps you should show your friends this article and ask for their thoughts?

[Houserino]

They pretty much follow this link:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/abortion-in-jewish-thought/

Trying to fight them on it is as useless as getting them to convert to Moshiach Yeshua.

[CatHerd]

It sound like they, at the Orthodox ones, put their own interpretation on the one outlined in that link — to suit themselves. Sad.

[AZJeep]

If you read the article, it basically spells the same line as the traditional Christianity.
The abortion is murder unless the mother’s life is in danger.

With the current medical advances, this decision is getting a lot less common, as we can now save the life of the mother and the baby in most cases.

[jjotto]

He’s a fake Conservative Movement ‘rabbi’ who doesn’t feel at all bound by traditional Jewish rulings on such matters. He’s a nobody.

The indisputable leaders of Torah-true Judaism have a different take:

https://jewishprolifefoundation.org/rabbis-for-life

[fidelis]

Even the Catholic Church makes such an exception, for example, ectopic pregnancy. In such a case, the fertilized egg cannot survive outside the uterus but can cause severe internal bleeding resulting in death. Both lives cannot be saved, so the correct moral choice is to save the life that can be spared, that of the mother.

This is essentially correct, although the subtle moral distinction in Catholic teaching involves intent. The procedure cannot be for the intent of killing the child, but to save the mother. This is known as the Principle of Double Effect:

Abortion, The Mother’s Life, And The Principle of Double Effect