Health

Stories and discussions of the challenges of infertility are common throughout the Jewish textual tradition. Each of the four biblical matriarchs, as well as other biblical characters, struggle with infertility; their stories provide windows into the multi-faceted emotional aspects of the experience and different ways of reacting to it. Texts throughout the centuries address halakhic questions related to infertility – and, more recently, reproductive technology – as well as religious and ethical perspectives on these topics.

Translated according to Ibn Ezra.

Midwives feature in a variety of contexts in the Jewish textual tradition. In the Book of Exodus, the midwives Shifra and Puah defy Pharaoh’s orders to kill all Israelite baby boys, instead keeping them alive. Rabbinic sources analyze topics like under what conditions a midwife can violate the Sabbath, and various responsa incorporate medical knowledge provided by midwives into the process of legal decision making.

Health is a value discussed throughout Jewish literature in a variety of contexts.