“You shall live by them [My laws]” Leviticus 18:15. We are told by Torah to use every resource at our disposal for the sake of life. Does this mean that if we do not do our best to ensure the continuity of life that we are guilty of murder?
So, for example, in Exodus 21:22 we are told the tale of a woman who miscarries because she is jarred by a fight. In this instance, is one of the actors a murderer?
At great length, this is discussed by our Sages of blessed memory. They determined that if the child had not yet emerged into the world it is not murder, or even manslaughter. They go further to tell us that the living take precedence over a potential life. Thus the mother’s life always takes preference over the embryo. - Ohalot 7:6
Comments