Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Birth control for newlyweds

26 April, 2004

Question:

I am getting married this summer and do not want to have children immediately as I would be overwhelmed with the possibility of being newly married as well as a new mother. The thought of becoming pregnant during the first year of marriage is overwhelming to me in itself. In this situation, would I be permitted to use birth control pills in order to prevent a pregnancy from occurring?
Thank you.


Answer:

Different rabbis weigh the halachic factors involved in permitting birth control differently. Most rabbis will require a meeting with the couple to ensure that the rabbi understands your situation and that you understand the halacha.  You and your fiance should choose a rabbi you are both comfortable consulting on matters concerning the two of you. Then you should arrange to meet to discuss the issues at hand as openly as possible. If you have further questions, please feel free to write back to us.


This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases. All health and health-related information contained within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with your health care professional. The advice is intended to offer a basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider but not individual advice. Although every effort is made to ensure that the material within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is accurate and timely, it is provided for the convenience of the Web site user but should not be considered official. Advice for actual medical practice should be obtained from a licensed health care professional.

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