{"id":9660,"date":"2014-09-05T17:00:56","date_gmt":"2014-09-05T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=9660"},"modified":"2019-11-21T12:46:21","modified_gmt":"2019-11-21T10:46:21","slug":"14-05-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/14-05-17\/","title":{"rendered":"17. Birth Control Methods"},"content":{"rendered":"

Halakha<\/em> prohibits the wasting of seed, so even when contraception is permitted, it is prohibited to prevent pregnancy by means of coitus interruptus (above, 4:1 and n. 1). Likewise, having sexual relations with a condom is prohibited, for the man ejaculates into the condom, thereby wasting his seed.<\/p>\n

However, it is permissible to prevent pregnancy indirectly, by means of two main methods: a) taking birth control pills; b) inserting an IUD (intrauterine device). These are considered the most effective contraceptive methods and the most halakhically preferred, because the prevention of pregnancy takes place in the body of the woman, and indirectly, with no harm done to the sperm. Therefore, when birth control is permitted, these methods are permissible according to all opinions (as explained in section 18).<\/p>\n

There are two other methods which are less effective in preventing pregnancy and also less preferable halakhically: a) spermicide (foam or vaginal suppository); b) diaphragm. (In section 19, we explain how these methods work.)<\/p>\n

In discussing when contraception is permissible le-khat\u1e25ila<\/em>, we were assuming use of the pill or an IUD. However, permission is granted only be-di\u2019avad <\/em>for a diaphragm or spermicide. Those wishing to use them must have a more compelling reason to do so (as explained in section 19).[16]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Women who are fortunate to be able to rely on nursing for contraception are free of all the concerns and side effects accompanying the various methods of birth control. Therefore, if a woman is not afraid of becoming pregnant soon after giving birth, it is recommended that she not use contraceptives while nursing. If while nursing she does not menstruate or get pregnant, she will know that nursing works for her as a means of contraception. Then, after subsequent births, she can prevent pregnancy by nursing without any need for the pill or to have an IUD inserted. Nonetheless, if someone is worried about getting pregnant while nursing, she may use contraceptives for a period of nine months to a year after giving birth.[17]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n[16]<\/a>. The Talmud tells the story of R. \u1e24iya\u2019s wife, who had tremendously painful births. After having two boys and two girls, she obtained halakhic permission to drink a sterility potion which made her permanently infertile (Yevamot<\/em> 65b). SA EH 5:12 rules that this behavior is permissible. Some say the permission is limited to a situation in which giving birth is extremely painful (Ba\u1e25<\/em> 5:9; Yam Shel Shlomo<\/em>, Yevamot<\/em> 6:44; AHS ad loc<\/em>. 24). Others say the permit applies even when childbirth is not terribly painful (Beit Shmuel<\/em> 5:14; \u1e24elkat Me\u1e25okek<\/em> ad loc<\/em>. 6; Taz ad loc<\/em>. 7; Birkei Yosef<\/em> ad loc<\/em>. 14). It seems to me that if there is no pain at all, destroying the ability of the woman\u2019s body to conceive is prohibited on grounds of destructiveness (bal tash\u1e25it<\/em>).<\/p>\n

As a result of Rabbeinu Gershom\u2019s ordinance prohibiting polygamy and disallowing divorce against a woman\u2019s will, when a woman marries, she is in effect agreeing to partner with her husband in the fulfillment of the mitzva of procreation (section 14 above). Consequently, decisions about contraception, and certainly sterilization, must be made jointly. This is the position of \u1e24atam Sofer<\/em>, EH \u00a720, cited in Pit\u1e25ei Teshuva<\/em> 5:11. Nevertheless, even if the wife drank the sterility potion without halakhic sanction, as long as they are married the mitzva of ona<\/em> still applies to them.<\/p>\n

In any case, we see from the story of R. \u1e24iya\u2019s wife that when contraception is achieved indirectly within the woman\u2019s body, and there is no barrier between the sperm and the uterus, there is no concern that seed is wasted. Therefore, there is no problem of wasting seed when using birth control pills or an IUD; the question is whether it is permitted despite the neglect of the mitzva to procreate. However, the poskim<\/em> disagree regarding the use of spermicides or diaphragms which block the sperm from reaching the uterus. Even though most poskim<\/em> are lenient, le-khat\u1e25ila<\/em> it is preferable to defer to the stringent opinion. Thus, the use of these methods is be-di\u2019avad<\/em>, as explained below in section 19 and n. 19.<\/p>\n

There is general agreement that the use of a condom is forbidden. Regarding someone with AIDS, see 6:4 below.<\/p>\n

[17]<\/a>. It can be suggested to a nursing mother to use spermicidal suppositories until her period returns. Even though we have seen that this method of birth control is be-di\u2019avad<\/em>, there is a good chance in this case that nursing itself is preventing pregnancy, so the use of a spermicide is less problematic. The nursing is the primary contraceptive, while the spermicide simply bolsters its effectiveness. If the woman does not get her period at all while she is nursing, then following the next birth she can rely only nursing alone. If she is still concerned, she can use a spermicide until her period returns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Halakha prohibits the wasting of seed, so even when contraception is permitted, it is prohibited to prevent pregnancy by means of coitus interruptus (above, 4:1 and n. 1). Likewise, having sexual relations with a condom is prohibited, for the man ejaculates into the condom, thereby wasting his seed. However, it is permissible to prevent pregnancy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-14-05"],"yoast_head":"\n17. 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