Fertility And Jewish Law

A comprehensive comparative study of Jewish law on contemporary reproductive issues from a gender perspective

The pain of infertility is heartbreaking, frightening, and a real test of faith. In this ground-breaking volume, couples can access the information, Torah outlook, and answers they need in a clear, practical manner. Questions raised include: How do we know if there is a problem? How can the Torah be a source of support? What can we expect at the fertility clinic? Where are the side effects of fertility medication? Can one live a fulfilling life without children? This book takes couples down the obstacle-strewn path toward fertility, discussing all factors that encompass difficulty conceiving. Topics discussed include: male fertility testing, IVF, adoption, niddah issues, faith, prayer, dealing with society, when to stop, choosing the right aregiver, producedures on Shabbos, being positive, and much more. This step-by-step, comprehensive guide is an indispensable tool for couples seeking fertility, but it will also be of great interest and benefit to relatives and friends of childless couples, as well as rabbis, therapists, and social workers.

All this presents challenges on religious as well as practical levels. Halakha - Jewish Law and Ethics - has much to say about this. For the past quarter century, discussions on the topic have appeared in Tradition, the Journal of Jewish Thought published by the Rabbinical Council of America. Collected here, they offer the general reader an insight into how classic Jewish Law continues to offer insights into the most contemporary of problems.

Explores the debates about new reproductive technologies in Israel and how they fit with Orthodox Jewish laws concerning parentage and Jewish identity.

Presents the discourse in Jewish law and rabbinic literature on bioethical issues, highlighting practical problems in their socio-historical contexts.

A first-of-its-kind guide to nourishing your pregnancy with wisdom from Jewish tradition. B’shah Tovah! You’re pregnant! With all the changes happening to your body right now, it would be easy to focus only on the physical aspects of this life-changing event. But pregnancy is also a spiritually meaningful period in life, a time to reflect and comfort the soul. The Jewish Pregnancy Book is the first resource to nurture the body, mind and soul of the pregnant woman by combining up-to-date medical information with spiritual nourishment from Jewish tradition. For the soul—Ancient and modern prayers and rituals for each stage of pregnancy, as well as traditional Jewish wisdom on pregnancy. For the body—Pre-natal Aleph-Bet yoga, a unique blend of yoga and spirituality inspired by the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. For the mind—Medical information on topics such as fetal development, pre-natal testing, and potential pregnancy problems, as well as discussions from a contemporary Jewish perspective on ethical issues such as selective reduction and home birth. In clear, easy-to-follow, accessible language, this groundbreaking handbook guides you through the miraculous and challenging process of creation, engaging your whole being in a uniquely Jewish way.