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Jewish views on contraception

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468:' Law Code from the medieval period–it is stated that expending semen for no purpose is forbidden as a man holds the sole responsibility in the act of procreation. Because the commandant for this duty rests on the man, any form of male contraception or sterilization is prohibited by Traditional Jewish Law. However, liberal figures and authorities encourage male contraception when the use of contraception is important for the safety and health of the man and his partner. In this regard, these authorities prioritize human health and safety over the male's duty to procreate. 549: 1487: 63: 1476: 165: 22: 1507: 1497: 383:
Inasmuch as the strict letter of the law, as understood by classic authorities, does not obligate the fathering of limitless number of children beyond the requirement to produce at least one child of each gender or according to another opinion until two male offspring are born, there is wide latitude
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Contraceptive measures that lead to male sterility, are not ever permitted for their interfering with a man's obligation, only ever being permitted in life-threatening circumstances for the man such as some forms of cancer. For example, a crushed or mangled man may not be permitted to marry anyone
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varieties) more so than others because of their strict adherence to Halakhah, or Jewish law. These regulations affect liberal strains of Judaism (including the Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative movements; particularly in Western society) much less, where the emphasis is on applying
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branches of Judaism. Among Orthodox Judaism, use of birth control has been considered only acceptable for use in limited circumstances. Conservative Judaism, while generally encouraging its members to follow the traditional Jewish views on birth control has been more willing to allow greater
319:(the talmud describes it as a "contraceptive resorbent" made from "soft fabric") is discussed for women who are too young to get pregnant, presently pregnant, or nursing. In each case, either the woman or her child is at risk for serious complications, and this is the basis for many 268:
to modern life rather than observing it strictly. Many modern Jews feel that the benefits of contraception, be they female health, family stability, or disease prevention, uphold the commandment in Judaism to "choose life" much more strongly than they violate the commandment to
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exceptions regarding its use to fit better within modern society. Reform Judaism has generally been the most liberal with regard to birth control allowing individual followers to use their own judgment in what, if any, birth control methods they might wish to employ.
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Orthodox rabbis believe that the positive commandment of being fruitful and multiplying is a male obligation. Consequently, wives may choose abstinence as birth control, but husbands are not permitted to decline their wives if they are not in niddah.
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as a form of maiming, even if already married to a non-convert becoming maimed intentionally or accidentally including a vasectomy does obligate divorce unless a successful repair surgery is performed and sperm flow is returned (based on
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Many Modern Orthodox authorities are inclined to permit contraception for a broad array of reasons, with some arguing that a couple may decide to delay procreation even without specific rabbinic permission.
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permitting contraception in situations where pregnancy would seriously harm the woman. In those cases, the most "natural" method is preferred; as the use of a condom or pessary creates a physical barrier,
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The Midrash of Genesis speaks of the origins of oral contraceptives: "In the early time of creation, in the time of Lemech, a medicine was known, the taking of which prevented a woman's conception."
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further consider the possibility (generally not accepted) that a union that by definition cannot lead to pregnancy would amount to "spilling seed", the sin of
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occurring just before (or on) the wedding night, some brides briefly regulate their periods in the months leading up to their
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within halacha to limit family sizes, although usage of contraception varies from community to community.
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competent on this topic who evaluates the need for the intervention and which method is preferable from a
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When Orthodox Jewish couples contemplate the use of contraceptives, they generally consult a
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Regulations regarding contraception affect the traditional streams of Judaism (including the
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The birthrate in Orthodox Judaism is significantly higher than for Reform Judaism.
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prohibit sexual intercourse while a woman is menstruating (see
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circles that it caused in other religious groups. A number of
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but a convert under Jewish law, and halachic authorities see
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in Judaism is employed by some young brides. The laws of
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In order to decrease the chance of 336:methods (modern improvements over the 1368:Jewish League for Woman Suffrage (UK) 621: 453: 1496: 647: 332:) is preferred by most authorities. 158: 85:adding citations to reliable sources 56: 15: 1506: 598:"Does Judaism Allow Birth Control?" 574:"Does Judaism Allow Birth Control?" 486:"Vasectomy: Ask the Rabbi Response" 276: 13: 14: 1563: 1436:Orthodox Jewish schools for women 31:This article has multiple issues. 1547:Religious views on birth control 1505: 1495: 1486: 1485: 1474: 1363:League of Jewish Women (Germany) 430:combined oral contraceptive pill 163: 61: 20: 399:Generally, the introduction of 96:"Jewish views on contraception" 72:needs additional citations for 39:or discuss these issues on the 1373:Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz 759:World Congress of Jewish Women 749:1907 New York City Rent Strike 739:1904 New York City Rent Strike 590: 566: 542: 503: 492: 478: 1: 471: 239:currently varies between the 183:that critically analyze them. 237:Jewish view on birth control 7: 10: 1568: 1469: 1448: 1428: 1385: 1345: 1144: 1087:Rabbis and Torah scholars 1072: 1009: 941: 870: 821: 784: 710:Gender and Jewish studies 695:Matrilineality in Judaism 655: 428:An innovative use of the 1327:Women's Rabbinic Network 734:1902 Kosher Meat Boycott 411:from rabbinic decisors ( 271:be fruitful and multiply 1297:Women of Reform Judaism 1192:Haifa Women's Coalition 728:Jewish Women's Congress 1461:Tomb of the Matriarchs 1242:League of Jewish Women 1197:Israel Women's Network 942:Practices and concepts 754:1909 Shirtwaist Strike 554:galeapps.galegroup.com 550:"Gale - Product Login" 401:hormonal contraception 395:Hormonal contraception 315:), where the use of a 1542:Judaism and sexuality 1287:Union of Jewish Women 1212:Women Artists' Circle 765:Women's Torah Project 499:Genesis Rabba 23 p.56 179:without referring to 1353:Clara de Hirsch Home 771:Women's Siyum HaShas 321:rabbinic authorities 313:Tractate Yevamot 12b 294:Rabbinic authorities 187:improve this article 81:improve this article 1537:Judaism and society 1415:The American Jewess 673:Early modern period 334:Fertility awareness 330:intrauterine device 1532:Jewish marital law 1481:Judaism portal 1346:Historic / defunct 1060:Court of the Women 690:Gender and Judaism 602:My Jewish Learning 578:My Jewish Learning 454:Male contraception 1519: 1518: 1444: 1443: 1424: 1423: 1401:Hadassah Magazine 1381: 1380: 1232:Kohenet Institute 1140: 1139: 1068: 1067: 949:Gender separation 937: 936: 888:Marriage contract 822:Life cycle events 817: 816: 780: 779: 744:1906 Tonsil Riots 488:. 20 August 2011. 233: 232: 225: 215: 214: 207: 181:secondary sources 157: 156: 149: 131: 54: 1559: 1509: 1508: 1499: 1498: 1489: 1488: 1479: 1478: 1477: 1426: 1425: 1383: 1382: 1343: 1342: 1070: 1069: 1010:Prayer and study 1007: 1006: 913:Ritual immersion 868: 867: 782: 781: 718: 717: 678:In the Holocaust 663:Women in Judaism 649:Women in Judaism 642: 635: 628: 619: 618: 612: 611: 609: 608: 594: 588: 587: 585: 584: 570: 564: 563: 561: 560: 546: 540: 539: 533: 525: 523: 522: 513:. Archived from 507: 501: 496: 490: 489: 482: 277:Orthodox Judaism 228: 221: 210: 203: 199: 196: 190: 167: 166: 159: 152: 145: 141: 138: 132: 130: 89: 65: 57: 46: 24: 23: 16: 1567: 1566: 1562: 1561: 1560: 1558: 1557: 1556: 1522: 1521: 1520: 1515: 1475: 1473: 1465: 1440: 1420: 1377: 1358:Di Vilde Chayes 1341: 1292:Cantors Network 1172:Chochmat Nashim 1136: 1107:Toanot Rabniyot 1100:Yoetzet halacha 1073:Religious roles 1064: 1039:Tefillin Barbie 1005: 933: 893:Marital harmony 866: 813: 792:Jewish feminism 776: 716: 651: 646: 616: 615: 606: 604: 596: 595: 591: 582: 580: 572: 571: 567: 558: 556: 548: 547: 543: 527: 526: 520: 518: 511:"Archived copy" 509: 508: 504: 497: 493: 484: 483: 479: 474: 456: 397: 377:point of view. 302:Genesis 38:9–10 279: 261:Modern Orthodox 229: 218: 217: 216: 211: 200: 194: 191: 184: 168: 164: 153: 142: 136: 133: 90: 88: 78: 66: 25: 21: 12: 11: 5: 1565: 1555: 1554: 1549: 1544: 1539: 1534: 1517: 1516: 1514: 1513: 1503: 1493: 1483: 1470: 1467: 1466: 1464: 1463: 1458: 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Orthodox
Conservative
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Halakhah
be fruitful and multiply
Torah
Genesis
1:28
Rabbinic authorities

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