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Judaism: Good Conduct and Key Moral Principles

The Sanctity of Life in Judaism

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on the sanctity of life and the Mishnah on a single life, the status of the foetus in Exodus and the Talmud, Orthodox and Reform views on abortion, and embryo research.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Explain what is meant by the sanctity of life in Judaism.

Key term

Why is human life described as of infinite rather than merely great value?

Key term

Why does the Jewish ruling that a foetus may be removed to save the mother change once the greater part of the child has emerged?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Explain what is meant by the sanctity of life in Judaism.

    Model answer

    Human life is holy because it is given by God and made in God's image, so it is of infinite value and not at human disposal.

  2. 2

    Which verse grounds the sanctity of life most directly?

    Model answer

    Genesis 1:27, which states that humanity is created in the image of God.

  3. 3

    What does the Mishnah teach about the value of a single life?

    Model answer

    That whoever saves one life is counted as having saved an entire world, and whoever destroys one life as having destroyed an entire world.

  4. 4

    Why is human life described as of infinite rather than merely great value?

    Model answer

    A finite value could be weighed against other goods, whereas infinite value means no quantity of benefit can justify taking it.

  5. 5

    Does the sanctity of life require that life be preserved at all costs?

    Model answer

    Not entirely, since Jewish law does not demand treatment that merely prolongs dying, though it forbids any act that shortens life.

  6. 6

    State the status Jewish law gives to the foetus.

    Model answer

    It is developing human life deserving protection, but it is not treated as a full nefesh until birth.

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