More Conservative Judaism Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Conservative Judaism
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Expertise
Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history,
philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.
Experience
I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Homework Help > Judaism > Conservative Judaism > Conception in the Torah?
Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 9/4/2008
Question
Dear Rabbi Lerner,
Mashlom'cha
In the Torah, does it state that conception is between a man, woman and God? Because I'm confused by why so many Jews are Pro-Choice.
Toda Raba
Matthew 39 y/o
Answer
Dear Matthew,
Thank you for writing.
To begin with, there are metaphors in the Bible and then later Rabbinic writing that describe a spiritual relationship between a husband, wife and God. Note I have placed this in the context of a consecrated relationship, not a physical and/or sexual one.
But already in the Torah there is a concept certainly that a child is the result of sexual relations between a man and woman, carefully and consistently couched in terms of a family or marital relationship.
There are homiletics that add God into the picture, either to theologically account for the origin of the soul, or to describe how important it is to distinguish "reproduction" from "love" and "marital intimacy. In Judaism, sexuality in this situation is a positive experience, literally a mitzvah.
Many Jews are pro-choice because they emphasize the importance of the mother to be acting on the information and even guidance of her physician, hopefully in concert with her husband, to have the freedom to terminate a pregnancy.
Jewish law permits termination of a pregnancy for specific threats to the health - physical and emotional health - of the mother. One includes in the mother's circumstances her awareness of the fetus and its health, with the consequent health concerns for a mother and family. That is a "choice" position, but Judaism and traditional Jewish law does not advocate abortion as a form of birth control.
On the other hand, clearly Jews cannot adopt a pro-life position as we do not believe that life begins at conception or fertilization, which biologically occurs even before the egg settles into the uterine lining. Judaism does not regard this fertilized egg as a human being, only the possibility or potential of a human life.
It is interesting to note that traditionally, one did not even observe mourning rituals for a child until it has lived 30 days after normal 9 months of pregnancy and birth. Otherwise we would mourn the loss of a pregnancy at any stage if we believed that life begins at conception or a shirt while thereafter.
The position of Judaism ought to be what I call pro-responsibility. The use of contraceptives, even the day-after pill now available, to prevent a pregnancy. When there is no threat to the life of the mother, whether physical or mental health of the mother, in general then there is no legal case of termination according to Jewish tradition.
If Jews individually believe or practice otherwise, it is not different from individual Jews and families that choose not to observe other Jewish laws and customs - Sabbath, Festivals,a substantive Jewish education for every child, dietary laws - just to begin to name a few that are overlooked in this modern day and age of Jews making choices. As Americans we are free to do so, but as Jews we ought to be making informed choices and therein is the rub.
Best wishes
Rabbi Dov
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
