This Week’s Torah Portion: Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים Exodus 21:1−24:18)
The only place in the Torah where abortion is mentioned is here, in this week’s Torah portion.
Our Torah portion makes a clear point that an embryo is not considered life. Jewish law builds on this saying that only when the child emerges out it is considered a life.
Jewish law says that if there is a risk to the woman’s health, life (later rabbis add also socio – economic situation) then an abortion should be the woman’s option.
Will be speaking about this issue this Shabbat during Repro Shabbat service at The Temple.
Parsha Mishpatim Torah Summary:
Interpersonal laws ranging from the treatment of slaves to the exhibition of kindness to strangers are listed. (21:1-23:9)
Cultic laws follow, including the commandment to observe the Sabbatical Year, a repetition of the Sabbath injunction, the first mention of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, rules of sacrificial offerings, and the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. (23:10-19)
The people assent to the covenant. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel ascend the mountain and see God. Moses goes on alone and spends forty days on the mountain. (24:1-18)
The only place in the Torah where abortion is mentioned is here, in this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim.
Our Torah portion makes a clear point that an embryo is not considered life. Jewish law builds on this saying that only when the child emerges out it is considered a life.
Jewish law says that if there is a risk to the woman’s health, life (later rabbis add also socio – economic situation) then an abortion should be the woman’s option.
Will be speaking about this issue this shabbat during Repro Shabbat service at The Temple.
