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Talmud Yevamot 69b
If she is found pregnant, until the fortieth day it is mere fluid. https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/1307968344750845953
Talmud Yevamot 69b
If she is found pregnant, until the fortieth day it is mere fluid. https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/1307968344750845953
Talmud Gittin 23b
What is the reason for Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s position [in the above conversation]? He holds that a fetus is considered as its mother’s thigh [that is, as part of its mother’s body].
What is the reason for Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s position [in the above conversation]? He holds that a fetus is considered as its mother’s thigh [that is, as part of its mother’s body].
Mishnah Oholot 7:6
If a woman is having trouble giving birth, they cut up the child in her womb ... because her life comes before the life of [the child]. But if the greater part has come out, one may not touch it, for one may not set aside one person's life for that of another.
If a woman is having trouble giving birth, they cut up the child in her womb ... because her life comes before the life of [the child]. But if the greater part has come out, one may not touch it, for one may not set aside one person's life for that of another.
Maimonides Mishneh Torah, Murderer & Preservation
1:9
Our Sages ruled that when complications arise and a pregnant woman cannot give birth, it is permitted to abort the fetus in her womb, whether with a knife or with drugs
1:9
Our Sages ruled that when complications arise and a pregnant woman cannot give birth, it is permitted to abort the fetus in her womb, whether with a knife or with drugs
Rabbi Jacob Emden She’elat Ya”vetz 1:43
The questioner asks about an adulterous married woman (who is pregnant) is a good question. It appears to me to permit her (to abort)...And even in the case of a legitimate fetus there is reason to be lenient if there is a great need+
The questioner asks about an adulterous married woman (who is pregnant) is a good question. It appears to me to permit her (to abort)...And even in the case of a legitimate fetus there is reason to be lenient if there is a great need+
even if the mother’s life is not in jeopardy, but only so as to save her from an evil associated with it that would cause her great pain…
Rabbi Mordechai Winkler, Levushei Mordekhai, Hoshen Mishpat 39 (1913)
Mental-health risk has been definitely equated with physical-health risk. This woman, in danger of losing her mental health unless the pregnancy is interrupted, would therefore accordingly qualify.
Mental-health risk has been definitely equated with physical-health risk. This woman, in danger of losing her mental health unless the pregnancy is interrupted, would therefore accordingly qualify.
Rabbi Ben Zion Chai Uziel, Mishaptei Uziel 4:46
It is clear that abortion is not permitted without reason. But for a reason, even if it is a slim reason, such as to prevent disgrace, then we have precedent and authority to permit it.
It is clear that abortion is not permitted without reason. But for a reason, even if it is a slim reason, such as to prevent disgrace, then we have precedent and authority to permit it.
Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg, Tzitz Eliezer 9:51.3
If there is a danger to the mother from continuing the pregnancy, one should permit abortion without hesitation. Also, if her health is poor and to cure her or to relieve her from great pain it is necessary to abort the fetus, +
If there is a danger to the mother from continuing the pregnancy, one should permit abortion without hesitation. Also, if her health is poor and to cure her or to relieve her from great pain it is necessary to abort the fetus, +
even if she is not in actual danger, there is room to permit it, based on the halachic authority’s evaluation of the situation.
Rabbi Waldenberg, Tzitz Eliezer 13:102
Maharit permits a Jewish woman to abort a fetus where it is needed for her health, even without it being a matter of saving the mother’s life…& suffering and emotional pain in great measure are greater and more painful than physical pain…
Maharit permits a Jewish woman to abort a fetus where it is needed for her health, even without it being a matter of saving the mother’s life…& suffering and emotional pain in great measure are greater and more painful than physical pain…
Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, “Abortion: A Halakhic Perspective,” Tradition 25:4 (1991)
Here it is clear that saving a life is not the only sanction for permitting an abortion... It would seem to me that issues such as dignity, domestic peace & pain, +
Here it is clear that saving a life is not the only sanction for permitting an abortion... It would seem to me that issues such as dignity, domestic peace & pain, +
which all carry significant halakhic weight in other contexts, should be considered in making these decisions.
I'll also note that we have more than 900 #RabbisForRepro signatories, (website needs another update!) including many Orthodox rabbis, such as Rabbis @asherlopatin, @RavShmuly, Gabriel Kretzmer Seed, Josh Feigelson, Maharat @roripn & many others. https://www.rabbisforrepro.com
Needless to say, all of this is why abortion rights is not only a 14th amendment issue (right to privacy) but a religious freedom issue. Abortion is permitted in Judaism, and in some cases (to save the pregnant person’s life) it’s required.
This, from me and @SheilaKatz1:
“Much of the argument for abortion access is rooted in a specific Christian perspective; those who seek to restrict abortion are seeking to impose their religious views on others, which is inherently unconstitutional.” https://www.newsweek.com/abortion-jewish-right-scotus-june-medical-services-louisiana-constitution-1514214
“Much of the argument for abortion access is rooted in a specific Christian perspective; those who seek to restrict abortion are seeking to impose their religious views on others, which is inherently unconstitutional.” https://www.newsweek.com/abortion-jewish-right-scotus-june-medical-services-louisiana-constitution-1514214
Also (from piece in last tweet):
“The Establishment Clause is upheld when we allow access to abortion for those who need or want it; and those who do not want abortions do not need have to have them.”
“The Establishment Clause is upheld when we allow access to abortion for those who need or want it; and those who do not want abortions do not need have to have them.”
