The Rebbe on Abortions

The question of abortion is perhaps one of the most sensitive and charged topics in the political sphere. The following is a collection of letters, responses, videos, and guidance from the Rebbe on the issue of abortion.

The question of abortion is perhaps one of the most sensitive and charged topics in the political sphere. The following is a collection of letters, responses, and videos of the Rebbe’s guidance on the issue of abortion.

Click here to download the full PDF on abortion, as illuminated by Torah and the Rebbe’s Hadracha, compiled by estumult.com

Disclaimer: The Halacha varies in context of levels of danger to the mother and stage of the pregnancy.

Therefore, it is imperative to consult a Rov in all cases, whether is seems to be a case where one should be maikel or machmir.

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Even the Nazis Didn’t Kill Their Own Children

In the following response to a non-religious couple considering an abortion, the Rebbe highlighted that killing a fetus is just as wrong by non-religious standards as by religious ones:

מענה לאחת שכתבה שבעלה רוצה שתבצע הפלה ר”ל

תחלת תמוז תנש”א

אין זה הפלה כ”א ר”ל הריגת העובר – ומובן שאין לאם העובר או האב לחשוב אפילו ע”ד הריגת העובר (ושלהם!) ואפילו הקורא לעצמו חילוני – אין זה מתיר להיות רוצח ר”ל ור”ל

אפילו הנאצים ימ”ש לא הרגו ילדיהם כ”א של בנ”י שליט”א.

אזכיר עה”צ.

(“בית חיינו” גליון 93)

Ksav Yad

One of the only כתבי יד that we have from the Rebbe on the topic of abortion:

Abortion = Premeditated Murder

In the following response to an individual who mentioned that people were persuading a woman to consider abortion, the Rebbe responded:

Tell Them the Truth the Way it Is!

In response to parents trying to convince their daughter to have an abortion, the Rebbe responded that they should be told the truth the way it is. Aborting the fetus will be their daughter killing her child and them killing their grandchild!

מענה לא’ שכתב ע”ד בני זוג הדורשים מבתם לבצע הפלה ר”ל:

ט’ אייר תשד”מ לדבר על לבם האמת כמו שהיא – שדרישת הורי’ לעשות הפלה היא כפשוטה – שהבת תי’ תהרוג ר”ל את ילדה. והם – יהרגו את הנכד שלהם ר”ל ועד סוף ימי חייהם יוחקק בנשמת כאו”א מהם שעשו זה. ובודאי ישללו הנ”ל בהחלט. אזכיר עה”צ.

(לקו”ש חכ”ד ע’ 430)

The previous individual wrote to the Rebbe again, to which the Rebbe responded sharply:

י”ג אייר תשד”מ יאמר לו אותם הדברים ובהוספה שע”פ הנ”ל הוא המסית ר”ל עוד כו”כ לרצוח כו’. ומסיימים בטוב. אזכיר עה”צ.

(לקו”ש חכ”ד ע’ 430)

Keep the Torah and the Torah Will Keep You

In one of the only letters on the subject of abortion, the Rebbe advises that by following what the Torah has commanded us (not aborting a fetus) one will receive all the brochos begashmius and bruchnius:

ב”ה, כ”ב מנ”א, תשי”ז

ברוקלין.

שלום וברכה!

במענה על מכתבו, נבהלתי לקרות בו אשר יש סברא לעשות נתוח בכדי להתפטר ח”ו מהריון, ובודאי תיכף ידבר על לב האומר סברא זו שתחזור מזה בהחלט ויוגמר ההריון כשורה ובנקל ללידה זחו”ק כי כן הוא ציווי תורתנו הק’ תורת חיים וכשהולכים בדרכי התורה ומתנהגים מתאים להוראותי’ מצליחים הן בגשמיות והן ברוחניות בבריאות ובפרנסה ובחיים מאושרים ויהי רצון שיבשר טוב בכל האמור.

בברכה,

בשם כ”ק אדמו”ר שליט”א

מזכיר

Parents Considering Abortion

The decision to have or not to have an abortion can be one of the most challenging decisions for a parent. Below, we will find how the Rebbe helped such parents out in these tumultuous stages of their lives.

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton was once contacted by a woman considering having an abortion unless she was to get a clear directive from the Rebbe saying otherwise. After faxing in her request to the Rebbe, a surprisingly quick response was sent back with a clear message that the Rebbe was listening to her and that she should reconsider. The woman, amazed by the response, did not go through with the abortion. The Rebbe concluded by quoting the famous Gemara that she had saved the entire world by saving this one life.

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, a senior lecturer at Yeshiva Ohr HaTmimim in Kfar Chabad, related the following incident:

In the following letter, the Rebbe discusses his opinion on the perspective a parent should view pregnancy and having children in general; both being a blessing from Hashem and that the parent does not have the authority to decide the fate of the embryo.

By the Grace of G-d

22nd of Cheshvan, 5733 Brooklyn, N.Y. Mrs.

Seaford, N.Y. Blessing and Greeting:

I am in receipt of your letter in which you write highlights of your personal history and present state of health, in connection with your pregnancy.

Generally speaking, in such a situation, and what has to be done, it is necessary to consult a practicing Rov, giving him all the pertinent information he may require in order to advise you what to do in accordance with our Torah and halacha.

However, while I do not pasken shaalos, I can nevertheless convey to you my opinion on the nevertheless convey to you my opinion on the basis of your letter. This is that pregnancy and children are a blessing from G-d and therefore it is certain that He Who gives children also gives necessary strength and capacities to go through the act of birth, etc. and G-d may be fully trusted.

As for your husband’s attitude, as you write, I trust that he will himself recognize that he has no authority to decide the fate of an embryo, to let it develop or to kill it, G-d forbid. I may add, in your case specifically, that it is very significant, as you yourself write, that your husband was not originally enthused about the prospect of your third child, yet is now happy about it.

Judging by your writing, I am sure that it is unnecessary to emphasize to you at length the need to strengthen adherence in the daily life to the Will of G-d, including – and this is essential too – strengthening bitochon in G-d, Whose benevolent Providence extends to each and everyone individually, and to go about your daily everyone individually, and to go about your daily life with confidence, joy and gladness of heart. This widens the channels to receive G-d’s blessings, and to recognize and enjoy them in the fullest measure. Since you request an urgent reply, this letter has been acknowledged ahead of its turn, and is sent to you by special delivery.

With blessing,

Not Just One Life

Nefesh Achat B’Yisrael is an organization in Eretz Yisroel that raises funds for women to help them financially and not go through with an abortion.

In 5751, representatives of this organization went to the Rebbe for dollars. The Rebbe told them, “Every child that will be added to Jewish people is a big help for Jewish people overall, even in Eretz Yisroel!”