The Jewish stake in Florida's abortion debate

Years ago, something went wrong late in a friend's much-wanted pregnancy. If her fetus continued to develop, it would either kill her or leave her unable to have future children. Her father, a respected Orthodox rabbi and scholar, advised her to have an abortion. Though a loving father, his decision was based on Jewish law.

Judaism is a pro-life faith, but not in the way anti-abortionists mean. In Judaism, the mother's life and health always come first because human life begins at birth. Until then, a fetus, though cherished as potential life, is considered a part of its mother's body. That is...