Abortion as a political issue has torn our nation apart, It is not a recent subject, . of course i but since it became a electoral and constitutional issue over the last fifty years or so, it has been debated with an unrivaled legal, spiritual and partisan intensity. Misconceptions abound, as do authoritative-sounding falsehoods. Of the many spiritual viewpoints that have entered the abortion debate- on both sides- the traditional Jewish position is one that has been widely and publicly mischaracterized. Yet, as you might expect from such a deep-rooted faith, debate on the issue is something that has been around for millennia. In the past, like now, profound and mysterious questions arise like when does human life begin; what are the rights and obligations of potential parents; and what are ethical and medical circumstances that support the termination of a pregnancy. There are no easy answers. Add to the discussion questions of faith and personal belief and we can begin to see the difficult task that Rabbi Michael Barclay has taken up in this slim volume. Yet by reaching back to the wisdom of the ancient sages, and other, more modern sources, he can offer some order to the discussion, giving people room to reflect on the many important considerations of the uncomfortable and difficult burdens that abortion presents . While researching this book, he uncovered some surprising connections between Jewish tradition and American political thinking. This is not intended to be polemical, but a fairly straight- forward presentation of established Jewish belief with regards to abortion. Many people will still not be satisfied. Over the decades, positions on the issue have only become more entrenched. Further, it may conflict to some degree with other valid religious and spiritual interpretations. But, no matter your view, Rabbi Barclay has given us all the gift of perspective
