Halachic ramifications for the use of contraceptives and sterilization

Abstract

As modern medicine has advanced in the creation and improvement of contraceptives, Jewish law has been analyzed and adjusted to fit these advancements and the community’s needs without overriding their strict prohibitions. While barrier, hormonal, IUD, and surgical contraceptives all serve the same purpose of blocking the sperm from reaching the egg, each has their own methods of doing so. Additionally, each of the contraceptives vary in permanence. Jewish leaders evaluate each of the contraceptive methods individually in order to determine whether or not they transgress biblical or rabbinic prohibitions. Rabbis and other religious figures use this halachic and scientific research in order to advise the Jewish community on preferred methods of contraception. Two interviewees, Yoetzet Halacha Racheli (using only her first name to remain anonymous) and Rabbi Neuburger speak about common cases in which community members ask permission and advice for taking contraceptives. This thesis delves into the technical and biological uses of contraceptives, as well as the halachic ramifications of using them.