Contraception Is a Question for a *Competent* Posek
How have we fallen! A reminder of the Torah-true view of having children
Too many have forgotten that birth control is assur in all forms al pi Torah. “Heterim” are for very extenuating circumstances. They are very bidieved and NOT meant to be dispensed like candy.
BS”D
As a follow up to our previous article, I wish to illustrate the correct Hashkafos regarding building a family, and the grave prohibition of contraception (unless it is for a serious medical need and has been approved by an expert Rav.)
To my great pain and surprise, I discovered that the phenomenon of very generous “child spacing” by means of birth control – for no medical reason – has become extremely widespread in many frum circles, and so has the practice of brand new couples “waiting” a year or two. It is incomprehensible to me that this is being condoned.
Here we see the terribly destructive effects at play, of the organization I mentioned in the previous article. They have normalized birth control across the spectrum of Klal Yisrael – not only to the general population, but also by having “educated” a new generation of young Rabbonim with their harmful ideas – and are preventing untold thousands of births for no good reason at all.
The pain over this terrible breach in our Mesora, and over the diminishment of Klal Yisrael, is intense. May Hashem set our nation back on track speedily, and undo the damage.
On the Torah view of bringing children into the world
Translated from Sefer Otzar Tahara by Rav Shlomo Dovid Klein (London)
(This excerpt includes most of the chapter. The PDFs attached below have the complete version.)
Part 1: Contraception – the seriousness of the prohibition
It is forbidden to take any action to prevent pregnancy, and this is a serious matter.(1)
Even when doctors advise this, there is usually no medical basis for it and it is merely based on their carefree attitude of these matters. Nevertheless, in cases of great need, there are methods that can be approved in certain circumstances, for example when a woman feels physically or emotionally weak after childbirth. One cannot set out general guidelines in these matters and a competent Moreh Horo’oh must be consulted. When contraception is permitted, one must clarify exactly which methods may be used, as some of them involve repeated serious issurim.
One cannot compare one case to another and may not rely on rulings supposedly given to others; it is essential that a Moreh Hora’ah is consulted in each individual case.(2)
From Netzach Yisrael, here.