Good Things Come in Small Packages
Hashem often brings before me women who, for various reasons, wish to have an abortion, rachamana litzlan. I always try to impress upon them the severity of this sin. At any stage of pregnancy, when there is no risk of life involved, such a drastic step is tantamount to murder.
Often, such women come at very early stages of their pregnancy. They claim that the fetus is so tiny, the size of a bean, and is not considered an actual being. How could aborting at this phase be so terrible?
I reply, “This small one will yet grow big.” Decades ago, they too, were nothing but a tiny bean. After nine months of pregnancy, they came into this world, whole and healthy.
Only after long explanations and a lot of persuasion that this tiny embryo has the potential to become a son or daughter, just as successful as themselves, do they realize how wrong they were to contemplate aborting. In spite of the fetus’ present small size, it holds great weight.
A woman who has an abortion, at any phase, as well as those who assist her, have a terrible sin on their hands. They are considered killing a Jewish person. May Hashem, in His infinite mercy, take pity on those who have sinned and bring them back to teshuvah.
