Rabbi's Musings

Why is Judaism Pro-Choice/Pro-Abortion?

When it comes to the matter of ending the life of a fetus, Jewish tradition always sides with privileging the mother’s life over the life of the fetus. The reason the ancient rabbis gave was that the fetus, if endangering the life of the mother, is technically considered a pursuer of the mother (rodef), and therefore saving the life of the mother is like a law enforcement official using deadly force to protect an innocent victim. It is also important to note that theologically Judaism does not consider an unbaptized fetus to be destined for Hell, and therefore Jews do not choose the fetus over the mother, as was common in the Catholic church in the past. (The idea is that the mother was already going to heaven so no need to worry about that.) The bottom line is that the fetus was considered important of course but not a living soul. But make no mistake: feticide is no homicide, but it is never to be taken lightly.

The insights of medicine and science of two thousand years ago is not the same as our ability today to comprehend the science of childbearing. It is hard to look at the late in utero photos of a fetus and not see a living child. Then again, traditional Judaism only allowed abortion when the mother’s life is at risk. I am not sure anything has changed for traditional Jews. The key issue for more liberal Jews is who defines and what defines endangering the life of the mother. Does the mother decide? The doctor? Or the State?

Reform Judaism, meaning many Reform Jews, consistently has backed the right of the mother to choose. Mostly to keep separation between the State and the rights of the mother. Having said that, it is not possible to find in traditional Jewish sources a permitting of abortion for economic reasons or because the child is unwanted.