Page 59 - EFI-RAV ZILBERSTIN_VOL 8.EFI-RAV ZILBERSTIN_VOL 8.1A

Pg: 59 - 2-Back 21-10-31

“ Any woman who did not wait three months after her husband’s
death [before remarrying] – the son is of uncertain lineage and all
these sons born from them are the rebels and sinners who are purged
through the sufferings of the Exile.” Similarly, children born through
artificial insemination are among “the rebels and sinners” since their
fathers’ identity is unknown (See Kuntres Haraayos by the gaon, the
Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum and Chelkas Yaakov).3

ɳ Response to Question Three

As to whether a woman needs to obtain her husband’s consent before
undergoing artificial insemination with donor sperm4, the answer is
that she should not undergo artificial insemination without her hus-
band’s consent. The Igros Moshe (Even Ha’ezer ibid.) gives several
reasons why it is forbidden for a woman to take this step without her
husband’s consent:

1. Because of her [conjugal] obligation to her husband; during
pregnancy her husband cannot have relations with her as often as he
may wish and he may be unwilling to take the precautions necessary
with a pregnant woman5; 2. There are many expenses involved; she
may not incur the expenses of pregnancy and birth at his expense;
3. She may not incur the expenses of raising the child at his expense.

ɳ Summary and Conclusions

To Question One: Most poskim rule that she does not be-
come forbidden to her husband and that the child is kosher.

3. See further, siman 256 for other untoward consequences of artificial insemina-
tion.

4. E.g. with sperm donated by a gentile, according to those opinions that permit
this, as explained above in ‘Response to Question Two.’

5. For further discussion of this topic see earlier, siman 143 (s.v. in the second case)
regarding kidney donation.

Donor Sperm 2 43