[Shut She'eilat 2:312]
Question:
Should older women be counseled to have a prenatal exam in
order reveal fetal abnormalities? If a problem is detected, what benefit is
there if it is not permissible to have an abortion? Furthermore, these exams
can endanger the life of the fetus.
Answer:
1. It is a good idea to undergo this exam. If the tests reveal that there is no problem,
the pregnancy can continue calm and with contentment for the mother, which may
also benefit the fetus.
If, however - G-d forbid, the exam reveals a problem, the
couple can turn to a rabbi and ask him if it is permissible in such a case to
abort. If he rules that it is permissible - since there are cases in which it
is permissible, and abortions have indeed been performed in accordance with the
rulings of great authorities - the parents can responsibly decide what they
want to do. If they decide to keep the child, it will be out of free will, and
they will accept him lovingly with a full heart, and raise him lovingly with a
full heart.
2. Regarding man interfering with Hashem’s will: there is
absolutely no interference here. Hashem
illuminates the path of the scientific intellect of man. If
this were not so, all medicine and all science in general would be invalid. On the contrary, wisdom gives strength to the
wise man.
3. Regarding the claim that abortion, even when permitted
according to Halachah, prevents a soul from entering the world: we do not
engage in the esoteric when deciding Halachah. Halachah must be decided
according to what is revealed to us and our children for eternity. In any case, anything which is intended by
the Halachah is intended by the levels of the Torah which are more hidden. If
according to Halachah there is room to perform an abortion, we rely and trust
that this soul will find a correction in other ways and the hand of Hashem will
not shorten.
4. Regarding the test being dangerous: according to Halachah,
it is permissible to put oneself in a situation in which there is a
remote chance of danger when there is a need (such
as making a living or performing a Mitzvah). Endangering oneself in a minimal
way is called as “an infrequent damage” in Halachah. This law applies in our
case, since giving birth to a disabled baby can sometimes destroy an entire
family. And all the more so when we are
discussing the danger of a fetus has yet to be born.
We must certainly clarify, however, whether or not it is
permissible to undergo a test with a minimal chance of danger. It does not make
sense to enter into details here, since Blessed be Hashem, science continues to
advance. In each individual case, one
must take counsel with a G-d-fearing doctor and with an halachic authority.
5. The last point is the most precious. The reality is that
many women who are not young refrain from becoming pregnant, despite their
great desire to have a child, because they are afraid of having a disabled baby.
They live with a broken heart. When an halachic authority permits, and even
encourages, them to arrange a prenatal exam, and also promises that in the case
of a problem, G-d forbid, he will stand by their side in finding an halachic
solution with responsible thought given to the effects on the family, a huge
burden is lifted from their hearts. They
will be able to have more children, who will fill their lives with joy and
happiness, and add more servants to the world for the sake of increasing the
sanctification of Hashem's Great Name.
Rav Aviner's Responsum which Hangs on Hospital Walls
Ha-Rav Eliezer Melamed, Rabbi of Har Beracha, in his book
“Penini Halachah" (Volume 3 p. 221) writes, “A few years ago Ha-Rav Aviner
published a responsum, in which he encourages older women to test their
amniotic fluid, so that if their fetus is sick, they can take counsel with a
rabbi and decide if they will follow the strict or lenient position [regarding
abortion]. This responsum was hung in various hospitals. And in its merit, a
not insignificant number of women, approximately in their forties, who had
earlier feared becoming pregnant, lest they gave birth to a sick baby, dared to
become pregnant, and may there be more like this in Israel.”
