Developing Orthodox Jewish Viewpoints of Abortion in a post-Roe World: An Examination of Shifting Rabbinic Engagement

This paper examines shifting Orthodox rabbinic opinions and activity regarding abortions in recent years, particularly following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. Contrary to a monolithic “galvanization,” responses to Dobbs have revealed divergent responses within Orthodox communities. This paper traces the complex landscape of Halachic Jewish thought on abortion, from biblical verses through their application in the opposing views of the Tzitz Eliezer and Reb Moshe. It investigates how post-Dobbs orthodox camps are not only split, but at times changing their positions to more divergent approaches on issues such as permissible abortion boundaries for maternal health, and examines apparent shifts in rabbinic thought and advocacy might line up with a wider cultural alignment of certain Orthodox sectors with conservative Christianity, the GOP, and/or Trumpism. As such, this research underscores the dynamic interplay of halakhic tradition, political realities, and evolving ethical frameworks concerning reproductive rights.