Abortion IV

Haaretz has an article about the new issue of Tehumin.

An article that appears in the latest volume of the halakhic journal, Tehumin, argues to the contrary: "Most poskim [halakhic arbiters] in our generation have permitted the aborting of a fetus, even when there is no danger to the mother." The author of the article, Rabbi Moshe Tzuriel, a former mashgiah ruhani (spiritual mentor) at the Sha'alabim hesder yeshiva, argues, "It is incorrect to state unequivocally and authoritatively that the ban [on abortion] is absolute," and that in a case of a disagreement among poskim, it is appropriate in this case to follow those with a permissive approach.

Among the prominent poskim who in certain cases permitted aborting a fetus that will develop a severe illness is the late head of the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva, Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli - who permitted abortion due to the great anguish that may lie ahead for the parents "who will see the fruit of their womb suffering and living a life that is not a life"; a former member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court, Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Waldenberg and the head of the Institute of Halacha and Technology, Rabbi Levy Yitzhak Halperin.

The article, which will certainly prompt quite a bit more controversy, appeared in the 25th volume of Tehumin.

This is not new or controversial.