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the outer covering of the ovum is constructed with wondrous wisdom
by order of the Creator of the world, who acts wondrously in the
creation of every new human being.
Goliath for example, possessed extraordinary strength: he was four
meters high, had six fingers on each limb, was perfect in his body
build and handsome in appearance, as stated in maseches Sotah (42b).
Therefore, Moshe emes v’soraso emes (Moshe is true and his Torah is
true) i.e. the opinion in the Yerushalmi that a child can have more
than one father is not contradicted by any medical or scientific evi-
dence [and physicians who heard the above agreed with me].
ɳ Summary and Conclusion
Although the workings of these matters are hidden and concealed
from us, in light of the above it is possible that two sperm cells from
two fornicators act upon the woman’s ovum, which is fertilized prin-
cipally by one of them while the other nonetheless contributes some-
thing to the resultant child. Although tissue typing will show that the
child is the offspring of only one of them it is possible that the other
one also made some contribution. There are therefore grounds for
ruling stringently that the child is also considered the offspring of the
second one and should not marry the daughter of the second one, for
a brother may not marry his sister or any other of the relatives that
are forbidden to him.
130 1 Medical-Halachic Responsa of Rav Zilberstein