Not so friendly reminder that abortion bans violate Jewish women and Jewish families’ religious freedom.
Jewish law does not reconize a fetus as a fully autonomous person nor does it legally consider the fetus to be a full person deserving of protections equal those accorded to human beings by G-d.
The Talmud states that the fetus as part of its mother throughout the pregnancy, dependent fully on her for its life — merely an extension of the mother.
And one of our most important values is the principle of Pikuach Nefesh – the preservation of human life. If the life of a pregnant person is in danger, abortion is not only allowed but is treated as a right, and abortion is considered an act of self defense.
Freedom of religion is both freedom to practice your religion and freedom from others’ religions. Abortion bans are predicated on a Christian understanding of life.
Abortion bans violate Jewish freedom of religion.