Orthodox Judaism: Faith and Fertility

Comprising about 10% of the worldwide Jewish population, Orthodox Judaism encompasses many subgroups, each with its own nuances in meaning making, customs, and faith practices. Stereotypes and misinformation about this population may obscure the realities of Jewish teachings and practice in the areas of sexuality, contraception, abortion, and infertility care. For many Orthodox Jews, infertility represents a crisis and a disruption in the expected course of the family lifecycle. The tenets of Orthodox Judaism influence couples’ experience of reproductive healthcare and infertility and the treatment options they are open to pursuing. This chapter explores the meaning of infertility within an Orthodox Jewish religious and cultural context and provides best practice suggestions for infertility care physicians and mental health providers who are interested in providing culturally responsive care to this population. It also provides information about support options open to Orthodox Jewish couples who are struggling with infertility and loss.