fbpx

The curious consensus of Jews on abortion

[additional-authors]
February 1, 2013

That different Jews have disparate views is not news. What is news is when most Jews agree on a particular idea or approach. And so it is with the curious consensus of Jews on abortion.

In mid-2012, the Public Religion Research Institute (“PRRI”) ” target=”_blank”>BT Yevamot 69b.) In later stages of pregnancy, they viewed the fetus as a part of the mother like a limb or appendage of the mother. (See, e.g., ” target=”_blank”>litmus test of one’s commitment to Modern Orthodoxy or, alternatively, to a pre-modern, culturally conservative orthodoxy. The latter tends to hold that abortion is permissible only where the danger to the mother’s life is clear and direct and generally forbidden otherwise. But there are exceptions. And one can even ” target=”_blank”>read detailed descriptions or ” target=”_blank”>readily available.

Moreover, we also know today, and really only recently, that while only one-fifth to one-third of babies born at 23 weeks of gestation survive, by week 24 fifty percent or more do. By week 26, over ninety percent of babies born prematurely can ” target=”_blank”>begun to have a discussion about the need to have a discussion about these issues.

Dennis ” target=”_blank”>www.judaismandscience.com.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Put Your Jewish Identity Where It Belongs

Why do we feel we have to separate our identity as Jews from every other identity we take on? What is holding you back from incorporating your Jewishness into your professional life, your parenting, your personal relationships?

Print Issue: Moment of Truth | January 16, 2026

Soon we will know whether Iran’s newest uprising becomes another chapter in a long pattern, or the moment the pattern breaks. For one thing is already clear: this time, fewer people are asking for reform and more are asking for an ending.

Singing Over Sirens

Courage isn’t always taking the leap of faith to get on a plane into a war zone, but to sing even when the siren tries to silence you.

Iran’s Moment of Truth

Soon we will know whether Iran’s newest uprising becomes another chapter in a long pattern, or the moment the pattern breaks.
For one thing is already clear: this time, fewer people are asking for reform and more are asking for an ending.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.