The Haifa Rabbinical Court has ruled that artificial insemination with sperm from an anonymous donor is not adultery if the woman’s husband had consented in writing for the procedure to take place. The same court had ruled a few years ago that a woman was committing adultery by receiving artificial insemination unless the donor was her husband.
The new ruling involved a divorce case in which the husband claimed his wife had committed adultery by having a child through artificial insemination. He said that since the child was not his he should not have to support the child. The court ruled that his wife did not commit adultery since he had consented to the procedure after he found out that he was sterile and ordered him to pay IL 5000 a year for the upkeep of the child.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.