Unlike other headlines in 1973 in reporting the Supreme Court’s historic decision in allowing abortion during the first trimester, the L.A. Times chose the words “Mother Knows Best.” To be a mother means the fetus is a not a thing but a human being…a baby. Since then 60 million babies have been aborted. Most of them categorized as “drive by abortions.” What role does the Federal government have in this issues from a faith perspective? Join Scott and David in the most controversial episode to date.

While Jewish law certainly doesn’t give carte blanche in terms of permitting abortion, there are some authorities who define “saving the mother’s life” – which is a reason to allow abortion – in a broad manner. Listen to David and Scott continue their important discussion about abortion on today’s Morning Drive Bible.

Some Jewish sources seem to imply that a fetus is a life; others that it’s part of the mother’s body. Are these sources all disagreeing with each other, or do they together offer a nuanced and complex understanding of the nature of an unborn child?

The laws of the Sabbath are very strict, but a classic tenet is that one can violate those laws in order to save a life. Moreover, Jewish law allows us to save a fetus on the Sabbath even if the mother’s life is not in danger. Does that mean that a fetus is a full human being?

As Morning Drive Bible continues its discussion about abortion, Scott offers a Talmudic source that seems to indicate that a fetus in its mother’s womb is a part of the mother’s body, not an independent person. Does this mean that Jewish law is pro-choice?

As they further dissect Exodus 21:22-23, David and Scott discover an important distinction between manslaughter and murder. What impact does this have upon our discussion of abortion?

Exodus 21:22-23 offers a very different take from that which we saw yesterday: namely, that a fetus is treated as something far less than a full human being. Join David and Scott for our continuing discussion about abortion, Jewish law, and modern legislation.

The New York Daily News reported last month of a 20-weeks old fetus found inside a bag on a Brooklyn street. It was given a name, Monica, and a proper funeral, where 6 NYPD officers acted as pallbearers at the service. Is a fetus is part of its mother, or an independent human being? This discussion depends upon the reading of a specific verse in Genesis. But if we determine that a fetus is a full human being, why would abortion ever be permitted, even in order to save the mother’s life? Join David and Scott for another timely discussion of abortion and Jewish thought.

Photo Credit: Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News

Does Genesis 9:6 indicate that abortion is not only murder, but a capital crime – or is it speaking about something completely different? Join David and Scott for the continuation of their timely and important examination of the Jewish view on abortion.