Quote:
Originally Posted by Botnst
Doesn't midrash indicate that newborns are considered viable only after a certain number of days, postpartum? Isn't that why newborn boys are not immediately circumcised by the watchamacullum guy?
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It could be, I'm not sure. Similar arguments were developed by Christian theologians concerning when the fetus got a soul. Aquinas (I believe) basing his argument on Aristotle's views on motion, claimed it occured at quickening which itself happened at different times for male and female fetuses.
Dershowitz mentions a fact with which I was unfamiliar. He says that ultra orthodox Jews consider it a sin if a married couple fails to attempt to conceive a child when the woman is fertile. "Forgive me Father for I have not fu**ed."