Orthodox Jewish Culture
Nursing has gotten really into cultural awareness. However - the textbooks aren't written by people of these different cultures, and so usually the things they write are bastardized form of the truth. At least when it's about Judaism, I can't speak for the other cultures, but I imagine it's true.
I just started my maternity class (which, by the way, is the last one, and the reason I've gone through the others) and, while reading the chapter on cultural awareness, was shocked with the truth, clarity, and conciseness of the Jewish part.
"In Orthodox Judaism, for example, it is a man's responsibility to procreate, but it is a woman's right, not her obligation, to do so. This is because, according to Orthodox Jewish law, the health of the mother, both physically and mentally, is of primary concern, and she should never be obliged to do something that threatens her life."
Impressive, no?
4 comments:
That is not 100% accurate! Though a woman is not commanded with "Peru U'Revu" in the same manner as a man, she is nevertheless commanded to take part in the commandment! This is not the place for an entire discussion of this scope, but it is more than just a right and more of an obligation to her as well according to Jewish law.
I've always understood that the obligation for intercourse rests on the men, at the woman's discression. But i'm less familar with laws regarding procreation.
The statement in the textbook certainly makes a great deal of sense. It rings true in light of Shosh's comment about birth control; indeed birth control can be permitted, but only through the woman. The man has to fullfull his end of the act completely, while the woman may act to prevent pregnancy.
As for Venter's statement that she's "commanded to take part in the commandment"; well, Man is commanded, and it's just one of things he can't do alone, can he. So their levels of obligation certainly seem different.
I think the spirit of what the texbook was trying to say was accurate, and if it got the letter of the law wrong, well, that's not the point of the book. If the law is not clear to practicing orthodox jews like our blogstress and myself, i think the textbook can be given a pass this time.
But just this once. We'll be watching, Mr. Textbook.
Shosh- Just because she has a (semi) obligation as does the man, doesn't mean that birth control would never be acceptable. There are many times one would be exempted from many commandments and obligations due to health and well being concerns.
If a woman cannot handle another child for whatever reason, she absolutely should put it on hold!
venter - isn't that what the book is saying? That if she can't handle it, physically or mentally, she is not obligated?
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