Jewish medical ethics: contraception (condom), sterilization

1. How does Judaism view birth control, contraception and sterilization? The Biblical commission “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 9: 7) is not only a blessing but also a duty. It is one of the 613 commandments. There must be at least two children in every family, at least one boy and one girl. Large families are a blessing. Birth control is in principle prohibited. The world must be inhabited (Isaiah 45:18).

Contraceptives

1. There is a distinction between contraception for women and men. Sterilization is the most extreme form of contraception; periodic abstinence the least. In between are external factors such as spermicide, hormonal contraceptives, the diaphragm, the IUD, female and male condoms. It is important that sperm is actively killed as little as possible.

Pre- and post-coital

1. When women are bound by the ban on sperm destruction, pre- and post-coital conception is prohibited. If the ban on destruction of semen does not apply, then postcoital conception is not prohibited. Jewish rabbis disagree on this.

2. When women are bound by the ban on sperm destruction, pre- and post-coital conception is prohibited. If the prohibition on destruction of semen does not apply, then postcoital conception is not prohibited. Jewish rabbis differ on this.