Midwives feature in a variety of contexts in the Jewish textual tradition. In the Book of Exodus, the midwives Shifra and Puah defy Pharaoh’s orders to kill all Israelite baby boys, instead keeping them alive. Rabbinic sources analyze topics like under what conditions a midwife can violate the Sabbath, and various responsa incorporate medical knowledge provided by midwives into the process of legal decision making.
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