Skip to main content
Log in

The beginning of human life

Status of embryo. Perspectives in Halakha (Jewish Religious Law)

  • Ethics
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The Jewish religion is characterized by a strict association between faith and practical precept. Jewish law has two sections, the written and the oral tradition. The foundation of the written law and the origin of authority is the Torah, the first five books of the Scripture. It is an expression of God’s revelation, teaching and guiding humanity. The oral laws interpret, expand, and elucidate the written Torah and behavior patterns regulate new rules and customs. The main parts of the oral law are as follows: the Mishnah, the Talmud, Post-Talmudic Codes and. Responsa Literature.

Discussion

Life is a process that has a beginning and an end. The consensus about the time when human life really begins is still not reached among scientists, philosophers, ethicists, sociologists and theologizes. The scientific data suggested that a single developmental moment marking the beginning of human life does not exist. Current biological perspectives on when human life begins range through fertilization, gastrulation, to birth and even after. The development of a newborn is a smoothly continuous process.

Results

Procreation is acknowledged in the Bible to be the gift of God. The (Halachic) Jewish interpretation of when human life begins is extracted predominantly from procreation is acknowledged in the Bible to be the gift of God. The Jewish interpretation of when human life begins is extracted predominantly from The Halachic sources. The Bible does not make any other direct references regarding the beginning of human life.

Conclusion

While the Talmud gives the full status of humanness to a child at birth, the rabbinical writings have partially extended the acquisition of humanness to the 13th postnatal day of life for full-term infants. The Babylonian Talmud Yevamot 69b states that: “the embryo is considered to be mere water until the fortieth day.” Afterwards, it is considered subhuman until it is born. The issues of abortion, embryo research, multifetal reduction and cloning will be discussed according to Jewish Law perspectives. Life is a process that has a beginning and an end. The consensus about the time when human life really begins is still not reached among scientists, philosophers, ethicists, sociologists and theologizes. The scientific data suggested that a single developmental moment marking the beginning of human life does not exist. Current biological perspectives on when human life begins range through fertilization, gastrulation, to birth and even after. The development of a newborn is a smoothly continuous process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. Schenker JG, Halperin M. Jewish family practice and their evolution. Glob Bioeth 1995;1:35.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Jakobovitz I. Jewish view on abortions. In: Rosner F, Bleich JD, editors. Jewish bioethics. New York: Sancherin; 1979. p. 118.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Law. Termination of pregnancy. State Israel, 1977.

  4. Schenker JG. Women’s reproductive health: monotheistic religious perspectives. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2000;70:77.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Schenker JG. Assisted reproductive technology in Israel. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2007;33 Suppl 1:51.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Findlay K, Gear ML, Illingworth PJ, Junk SM, Kay G, Mackerras AH, et al. Human embryo: a biological definition. Hum Reprod 2007;22:905.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph G. Schenker.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schenker, J.G. The beginning of human life. J Assist Reprod Genet 25, 271–276 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9221-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9221-6

Keywords

Navigation