Halakhic Issues of Modern Times, Part 4: The Abortion Problem

Halakhic Issues of Modern Times, Part 4: The Abortion Problem - The Moral Issue (1974)

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Halakhic Issues of Modern Times, Part 2: Artificial Insemination (1974)

The Problem History: Research in Amnestic animals meg late 18th century. First text tutze baby in London 1790; in 115: 1866. Estimate in USA today: tens of thousands. (estimate of USA today – 250,000) B. The Problems: 1) A.I.H. a) איסור הוצאת זרע לבטלה b) ייחס – as in: inheritance, mourning, strilang, levivite marriage c) insemination during Niddah period d) fulfillment of פו”ר 2) A.I.D. a) It prohibited – Biblical, + as adultery? Or Rabbinically? Or גזירה –

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Halakhic Issues of Modern Times, Part 3: The Abortion Problem - The Basic Halacha (1974)

I. INTD. Subject too imp’t + maturity too extensive, torom lecture. 1) So…this lect: BASIC HAl. FRAMEWORK. 2) Next week: the moral save (suggestions purely techn. הלכה; Hal’s p it gentiles. AB; + what attitude Jews should be to PUBLIC policy. 2) When all this attention to Ab? Publ controv’n; 〜300,00 intuan Abr/gr 4) Some P’s in Hal: is fiction “mundane?” Is focus a “picion?” If not murder, is Ab permitted on

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Letter about Rabbi Soloveitchik's Position on Vasectomies in Halacha (1974)

Dear [redacted], I tried calling you at the hospital last week and left a message, which probably was not conveyed to you. I also tried to catch your eye at services on Saturday afternoon at The Center, but was unsuccessful. Please do not think I have neglected the matter you brought to my attention. I have been looking into it, and decided to consult Rabbi Soloveitchik on the question. His first reaction was, and apparently remains with this, that a vasectomy as a means of curbing fertility is obviously against the spirit and the word of the Torah, and therefore cannot be countenanced. He reserved judgment on the case of vasectomies performed in the process of prostatectomy as a means of reducing infection. I then asked him to think as well of the problem of reversible vasectomies, keeping in mind the new technique you described to me, as well as a new technique I have read of in a science magazine, which requires nothing but the moving of an artificially implanted valve to restore fertility. He asked me to call him in mid-July about the problem. If and when I get an answer, I shall of course let you know. My best wishes for a very happy and pleasant summer to you, your wife, and your family. Cordially, Rabbi Norman Lamm

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