As the abortion debate heats up again, I orginally wrote the following post as a response to a respected colleague. I realize that it deserves an airing if its own. Jewish Law and its sense of universal / Natural Law certainly eschews abortion in many cases, but permits them in others. There exists a serious concern that any further limitation of abortion would block.abortions that Jewish Law / values permits - and indeed mandates that they take place. On the other hand, Jewish law and it's understanding of universal "Natural/Noahide" law for all humanity is deeply opposed to all unnecessary abortions. The vast majority of abortions performed in this country fall into that category. But how to stop them? One is teaching morality and the value of life. An unborn baby's unnecessary death is not just another form of birth control. In "unnecessary" I exclude all the multiple cases of abortions Jewish law might require - and these parameters are very broad.
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